Mutya ng Banisilan 2026
Banisilan Celebrates First Bu’gaya Festival and Crowns Its Mutya 2026
28 February 2026
BANISILAN, Philippines — Less than a four-hour drive from Cagayan de Oro is a quaint little municipality in North Cotabato called Banisilan. From the airport in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, a first-time visitor will have to pass through Talakag, Bukidnon and Wao, Lanao del Sur to arrive at this agri-production town, which produces corn, palay, rubber, sugar cane and fruit trees. Banisilan derived its name from a fresh-water shell called the Banisil, said to be abundant in this area located at the northern quadrant of Cotabato Province. Its creation as a municipality dated back to the time of President Ramon Magsaysay, who signed Proclamation No. 317 dated July 17, 1956 reserving an area for a resettlement project, which attracted hundreds of landless and qualified citizens coming from all over the country
Photos: Phillip Vallespin
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Bu’gaya Festival
On February 8, 1982, Batas Pambansa Bilang 141 was approved, thereby creating Banisilan. This year, it is celebrating its 44th Founding Anniversary and the first Bu’gaya Festival. “Bu’gaya Festival is the vibrant cultural celebration of Banisilan, honoring the town’s rich agricultural heritage, cultural diversity, and united community spirit,” said Primo Nemitz Zayas, the festival director. “The word Bu’gaya, common among Maguindanaoans, Ilonggos and the Manobo, is inspired by local heritage and is closely associated with abundance, harvest, and prosperity—reflecting Banisilan’s fertile lands and hardworking farmers.”
More than a celebration, it is a thanksgiving for blessings, a tribute to resilience, and a showcase of Banisilan’s identity as a thriving agricultural town. The inaugural event featured agri-booths, street dancing, video and photo competitions, and concerts among many other festive activities.
Singer Josh Adornado
A major highlight, however, was the fast-paced and exciting Mutya ng Banisilan pageant, which started in 2004 with Faith Joy Carbon as the first winner. From the onset, Zayas (and his Primo events) has been the pageant director while Charlie Villalba is the project director to this day.
From simple barrio lasses, the 24 candidates were transformed into glamorous maidens by Team Nanivon, headed by Nanan Villalba, and his hair and makeup team assembled from Manila, Midsayap (Cotabato), Jasaan (Misamis Oriental) and Cagayan de Oro: Hernane Paniza, Iwa Ajinomoto, Renzin Paran, Brent Raully Olaco, Rodel Panjara, Charlz Manquiquis, and Kleng Totanes.
GLAM TEAM NANIVON
Throughout the competition, the young girls were styled by Style Firm by Zoe Botwin, assisted by Mekaila McLen and Marian Nave Saburao. Nathalie Yap served as stage manager and personality development trainer; Christer Kim as communication skills trainer; and Livestream B Ads for lights, sound and stage design.
The hosts were Elton Ladd and Clarissa Westram, the Miss Universe Philippines Cotabato 2026, with voiceover by Christer Kim. Josh Adornado of GMA’s The Clash serenaded the candidates, while the Sandowa Dose Dance Company, OffLimitz, and Altas Entertainment provided enlivening dance moves. The candidates all wore Primo Design Studio Collection Swimwear, and shoes by Jojo Bragais.
Host Elton Ladd
Hail to the New Banisilan Queens
The Hon. Mayor Arlene B. Alisasis (and Hon. Vice Mayor Jesus F. Alisasis) gave the welcome remarks at the coronation night, held at the Banisilan Municipal Gymnasium on February 7:
“Mutya ng Banisilan is a special tradition that embodies the pride, culture, and the spirit of our municipality. This pageant is not just a showcase of beauty. It is the grace, talent, intelligence, and the heart of every young woman who represents Banisilan. The essence of Banisilan shows the character, leadership, and patriotism of the community.
“It also shows their courage, dedication, and bravery that will inspire others. They are not only symbols but they are our leaders and ambassadors of culture and pride of Banisilan.
“To our lovely candidates, enjoy this moment. Walk with confidence. Speak with purpose. And shine with authenticity. No matter what the result, you are our leading leaders in the eyes of our community.”
Candidates in Primo Design Studio Collection Swimwear, and shoes by Jojo Bragais
On her third attempt to clinch the crown, Princes Mary Lastino, 21, of Barangay Tumbao Camalig, finally won as Mutya ng Banisilan. A tourism management student at STI, she champions Project Mutya: Beauty Beyond Words, plans to be a flight attendant and wants to create a lasting impact to her community. She also won Best in Long Gown (by Bukidnon designer Juniel Doring).
The first runner-up is Naziel Ann Balasoto, 21, of Barangay Gastav, who believes that to unlock your full potential, you must first believe in yourself.
The second runner-up is Samantha Jill Roces, 21, of Barangay Malinao, a third-year bachelor of science in hospitality management student at University of San Carlos who aspires to be a flight attendant.
The third runner-up is Jennifer Tinor, 18, of Barangay Gastav, a grade 12 student at Adiong Memorial College Foundation Inc. and who is passionate about environmental awareness and children’s rights to equal education. She also won Best in Swimsuit and Miss Photogenic.
The fourth runner-up is Patrizjah Bianca Angeles, 21, of Barangay Poblacion Uno, a third-year economics student at Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan).
The rest of the Top 10 are Krishley Sheen Dacao (Barangay Paradise), Best in Production Number Sherryl Carrido (Barangay Thailand), Florabel Baldevieso (Barangay Miguel Macasarte), Miss Friendship Mary Joy Bionat (Barangay Poblacion Uno) and Florence Gigan (Barangay Poblacion Dos).
The other candidates are Winnie Jane Cordero of Thailand, Angelie Sobretodo of Miguel Macasarte, Win Heart Samontina of Malinao, Christine Ergino of Wadya, Erica Banghe of Malinao, Bea Marizze Daliva of Daliva of Poblacion Uno; Kizhel Mae Cartel of Poblacion Uno, Queendy Love Marcelino of Poblacion Uno, Mary Joy Brones of Malinao, Hanna Joy Pacunla of Poblacion Uno, Jomalyn Aranas of Poblacion Uno, Darlene Mae Saligumba of Putting Bato, Hannah Joy Ddaor of Malinao and Jillian Bermejo of Thailand.
The judges and singer with Hon. Mayor Arlene. B Alisasis and Hon. Vice Mayor Jesus F. Alisasis, and Rizalina Carbon (pageant project head), Faithjoy Carbon (candidates liaison officer) and Hon. King Princesa (SB member).
Selection Committee members Miss Charlize, Miss Elite 2024 Juvyel Anne Saluta, Miss Grand International 2024 Christine Julianne Opiaza, Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 First Runner-up Anita Rose Gomez, and Mister Friendship Philippines Tourism 2025 Ian Howell Dingal
The Winning Answers
The Selection Committee was composed of Miss Elite 2024 Juvyel Anne Saluta, Miss Grand International 2024 Christine Julianne Opiaza, Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 First Runner-up Anita Rose Gomez, Mister Friendship Philippines Tourism 2025 Ian Howell Dingal and this writer.
From 24, the candidates were whittled down to the Top 10 and then the Final Five, who were asked a common question: Banisilan is celebrating its first Bu’gaya Festival, which aims to unleash the tourism potentials of the municipality. In your opinion, how can tourism help uplift the people of Banisilan and turn their slogan, Umwad Banisilan [Onward/Progress Banisilan], to reality?
Evening Gowns
Judge Miss Charlize
Samantha Jill Roces: “We, Banisilanons, are celebrating and honoring our history and local culture today. With respect to that, we are celebrating this one spectacular event where we celebrate our shared identity, fostering a sense of unity, community spirit, and celebrating our shared identity. I believe that we celebrate the foundation day of Banisilan, we promote local tourism in a way that when we invite people to the city, we are inviting them to understand our single identity, our traditions, and also letting them become a part of our story.”
Naziel Ann Balasoto: “Our tourism plays a vital role in shaping our community. I believe our tourism can uplift every Banisilanon by providing job opportunities to our local farmers, at the same time promoting what our crops or what crops consist of Banisilan. At the same time, our tourism can help to invite local investors so that it can help in our economic growth. At the same time, we can continue to progress and develop as one municipality. As we celebrate this first ever Bu’gaya Festival, let us honor the diverse people here in Banisilan, the people who deserve to be celebrated as a foundation of this municipality. We can continue to move as one Banisilanon because our tourism can shine not just in the nearest municipality but also globally.”
Patrizjah Bianca Angeles: “As an economist, tourism is really one of the backbones of our economy and I want not just to share to the people, not just our destinations, but we have stories to tell. We are unified because of our Christians, Lumads, and other than, but I believe that tourism is really that we should share to the world because I believe that Banisilan is not just that unique, but we have different talents, culture, and identity (3:54) and I believe that that makes us Umwad Banisilan into reality.”
Princes Mary Lastino: “Well, as a tourism student, I believe that tourism can greatly contribute a lot in our municipality because Banisilan is rich in agricultural resources, natural resources like waterfalls, caves and mountains. And most especially, Banisilan's greatest treasure is the unity of the people of the tri-culture and that is the Lumad, Muslim and Christian. As we celebrate Bu’gaya Festival 2026, we must promote the culture that we have, that our ancestors instilled within us because that was the representation of what Banisilanon is. Umwad Banisilan! Umwad Gandang Banisilanon.”
Jennifer Tinor: “Tourism can boost the local economy by creating jobs and supporting small businesses. I will promote local tourism by showing Banisilan’s rich culture, traditions and natural wonders.”
Hail to the Queens: First Runner-up Naziel Ann Balasoto, Second Runner-up Samantha Jill Roces, Third Runner-up Jennifer Tinor and Furth Runner-up Patrizjah Bianca Angeles
Best in Swimwear Jennifer Tinor & Best in Gown Princes Mary Lastino
Mutya ng Banisilan 2026 Princes Mary Lastino,