Candidates in Primo Design Studio Collection swimwear and shoes by Jojo Bragais.Less than a four-hour drive from Cagayan de Oro City 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 in Bukidnon, and Wao in Lanao del Sur to arrive at this agricultural town, which produces corn, rice, rubber, sugarcane and different fruits.
Banisilan takes its name from a freshwater snail banisil, said to be abundant in rivers and streams of this area located at the northern quadrant of the province of Cotabato. Its origins trace back to the administration of President Ramon Magsaysay, who signed Proclamation No. 317 on 17 July 1956, reserving land for a resettlement project that drew hundreds of landless families from across the country.
Bu’gaya Festival
On 8 February 1982, Batas Pambansa Bilang 141 formally created Banisilan as a municipality. This year, it marks its 49th founding anniversary alongside the launch of its 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 festivity, the celebration served as thanksgiving for blessings received, a tribute to resilience, and a showcase of Banisilan’s identity as a thriving agricultural community. The inaugural edition featured agricultural booths, street dancing, video and photo competitions and concerts, among other activities.
A major highlight was the Mutya ng Banisilan pageant, first staged in 2004, with Faith Joy Carbon as its maiden winner. Since then, Zayas and his Primo events team have handled pageant direction, with Charlie Villalba serving as project director.
From simple barrio lasses, the 24 candidates were transformed into glamorous candidates by Team Nanivon, headed by Nanan Villalba and his hair and makeup team assembled from Metro Manila, Midsayap in Cotabato, Jasaan in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City: Hernane Paniza, Iwa Ajinomoto, Renzin Paran, Brent Raully Olaco, Rodel Panjara, Charlz Manquiquis and Kleng Totanes.
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, and Christer Kim as communication skills trainer. Livestream B Ads handled lights, sound and stage design.
Hosting the coronation night were Elton Ladd and Clarissa Westram, Miss Universe Philippines Cotabato 2026, with voiceover by Kim. Josh Adornado of the television singing competition The Clash serenaded the audience and candidates, while Sandowa Dose Dance Company, OffLimitz and Altas Entertainment energized the crowd with dance performances. The candidates wore swimwear from Primo Design Studio Collection and shoes by Jojo Bragais.
Hail to the new Banisilan queens
Mayor Arlene Alisasis and Vice Mayor Jesus Alisasis delivered the welcome remarks during the coronation night held at the Banisilan Municipal Gymnasium on 7 February.
“Mutya ng Banisilan is a special tradition that embodies the pride, culture and spirit of our municipality,” the mayor said. “This pageant is not just a showcase of beauty, but of grace, talent, intelligence and the heart of every young woman who represents Banisilan. They are not merely symbols; they are leaders and ambassadors of our culture and pride.”
On her third attempt to clinch the crown, 21-year-old Princes Mary Lastino of the barangay of Tumbao Camalig, finally won the Mutya ng Banisilan crown. 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 the Best in Long Gown (by Bukidnon designer Juniel Doring) award.
The first runner-up is Naziel Ann Balasoto, 21, of the barangay of 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 the Barangay of 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 the barangay of Gastav, a grade 12 student at Adiong Memorial College Foundation Inc. who is passionate about environmental awareness and children’s rights to equal education. She also won Best in Swimsuit and Miss Photogenic awards. The fourth runner-up is Patrizjah Bianca Angeles, 21, of the barangay of Poblacion Uno, a third-year economics student at Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan).
Completing the top 10 were Krishley Sheen Dacao (barangay of Paradise), Best in Production Number awardee Sherryl Carrido (barangay of Thailand), Florabel Baldevieso (barangay of Miguel Macasarte), Miss Friendship Mary Joy Bionat (barangay of Poblacion Uno) and Florence Gigan (barangay of Poblacion Dos).
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.
The winning answers
From 24 candidates, the field was whittled down to 10 and then to five finalists, 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?”
“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,” Roces said.
“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,” Balasoto answered. “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.”
Lastino responded: “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.”
For 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.”
Angeles said, “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, 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. And I believe that that makes us Umwad Banisilan into reality.”