South Cotabato lady to represent PH in int'l beauty contest

KORONADAL CITY-- South Cotabatenios are beaming with pride because one of their own will represent, not only the province but the country as well in an international beauty pageant next year. I will try my best, I will do all to win to give honor to our country, said Hazel Templonuevo Arbening, this year's Miss Planet Philippines International, who hails from Surallah town. sand//scontent.fmnl4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/l/t31.0-8/s960x960/12841298_1688654961407303_593765753881904313_o.jpg On Monday, Arbening paid a courtesy call to South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance Fuentes and the members of the South Cotabato provincial board. We are very proud she made it to the national contest, Fuentes told reporters. I hope she will make it in the international pageant. Arbening will represent the country the international beauty pageant to be held on September 3 to 11, 2017 in Bulgaria, Europe. The 25-year-old Arbening was crowned Miss Planet Philippines 2016 during the beauty pageant held in Pasay City. The contest aims to raise awareness on environmental protection. Speaking to Radyo Bida Koronadal, Arbening said it was her first time to join beauty pageant at the national level. I was only exposed to barangay and municipal beauty contest, she said in the vernacular. She vowed to carry the name of South Cotabato and will promote the provincial culture. She will be wearing a T'nalak inspired gown during next year's pageant. She is the second beautiful woman from South Cotabato to compete in international beauty and brain search. Early this year, another lady from Surallah, Aiza Faeldonia won 5th place 2016 Miss World Next Top Model in Beirut, Lebanon.