BANAYOYO, Ilocos Sur — Former governor and business magnate Luis “Chavit” Singson called on the public Saturday to support Ms. Joanna Francez Batalang, 23, who was recently crowned Miss Ilocos Sur 2025 and is now competing in the upcoming Binibining Pilipinas 2025 pageant.

A proud Ilocano, Ms. Batalang paid a courtesy visit to Governor Singson Saturday morning to seek his moral support.

Chavit Singson is well-known for his involvement in sponsoring major beauty pageants. His company, LCS Holdings Inc. — named after Luis Chavit Singson — was a major sponsor of the Miss Universe pageants held in the Philippines, pledging $12.9 million for the 2016 event. LCS Holdings also sponsored the 65th Miss Universe pageant in 2017 and even purchased a luxury yacht for use in the pageants.

A native of Banayoyo town, the 5’7” Ms. Batalang will compete in Binibining Pilipinas on 15 June. Out of 72 applicants, the pool has been narrowed down to 36, including her.

Aside from her recent title as Miss Ilocos Sur, Ms. Batalang was also crowned Señorita Feria de Candon 2023 and has served as a youth leader for the Candon Youth Empowerment Movement.

“It has been six long years since someone from the Ilocos region — aside from Pangasinan — was chosen to compete in Binibining Pilipinas,” Ms. Batalang shared in an interview. She urged her fellow Ilocanos to pray for her success in the national competition.