MikeLigalig.com

By Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao – Gabin

She is an epitome of beauty, grace and intelligence rolled into one. Sources say she is the second Jagna-anon to become Miss CVIRAA after Erminia Yap in the 1960s.

It was not really easy for Idy Casenas Cagas, the shy 16-year-old beauty from Jagna, to get the Miss CVIRAA crown, what with the presence of the towering hopeful from Cebu City, Marie Sharon Grace E. Angel, a ramp model, and the striking mestiza from Dumaguete City, Christine Marie L. Gonzales, a Miss Teen Philippines winner, who were her strong contenders for the title.

In the evening of April 14, Good Friday, teacher-trainors Jessica Agad and Merlino "Notnot" Acebes, along with make-up artists Cesar Arban, John Rey Cadelina and Alvin Malban trooped to the Cagas residence, just to convince Idy to represent Bohol division in the regional personality tilt. She wasn't given the guidelines yet, but willingly made her way to Tagbilaran for the pictorials last April 17. Unprepared, Idy sought the help of friends for the swimsuit and other wardrobe needed for the video shoot at the Alona Tropical Resort in Panglao where she befriended Laarni S. Guerrero, the candidate from Bais City (winner of the Miss Friendship award) who, according to Idy, was impressed with the scenery the moment she set foot in Bohol. After that, she still had to comply with the other credentials needed before the 8:00 pm deadline.

Although she figured as one of the grand questors in the final competition of Island City Mall's Circle of Ten Teen Quest (where this writer, a judge of the contest, first saw her) last year after Charles Suico (her sister's friend) talked her into joining, she admits that she was a bit hesitant about the Miss CVIRAA - her first time to join a beauty pageant. But who would think that the very timid Idy would metamorphose into a poised and glamorous stunner on stage? She may have felt almost paralyzing nervousness at the start of the pageant, but eventually, the lithe beauty emerged to prove her worth which led to her victory.

The youngest daughter of Barangay Pagina Kagawad Rudy Cagas and Zosima Casenas, an elementary school teacher, Idy, born on October 21, 1989, always looks up to the traditional, rather patriarchal manner that they have been brought up with. She relates that every mealtime is an opportunity for the family to strengthen bonding by exchanging ideas, about their annual "pana-ad" to Senor Santo Niño de Cebu and the visit to their uncle every January. Education is highly valued in their family as her mother, grandfather and grandmother are respected educators. To her older sisters Iris (a BSE-Social Science student of the University of Bohol) and Ima (a BSE-Filipino major at the Cebu Normal University), Idy is the "baby" in the family who is "malambing," "paraygon," or "langi" and relies on the support of her parents and siblings.

Before, she imagined herself as a dentist, nurse, engineer or teacher. Now that she is a college entrant at the University of the Philippines - Iloilo this June, Idy intends to take up either accountancy, her first choice (she has a penchant for numbers), or broadcast communications (as suggested by Councilor Senen Lloren), but is somewhat scared at the thought of being away from the family, especially if she gets sick and her mother will not be there to take care of her. However, her desire for independence and the chance to do things herself has taught her to accept the reality that she must make the best out of everything.

 At her tender age, Idy has her share of achievements: as gold medalist in the provincial "Tuklas ng Talino" for public speaking sponsored by the Girl Scout of the Philippines - Bohol Council in November 2003 and her citations as "Declaimer of the Year" and "Best in Tula," aside from being among the top ten of the graduating class. The treasurer of the Student Body Organization was also hailed as "prom queen" in the Junior-Senior prom last March. When not helping with the household chores or studying her lessons, she listens to music, reads books and keeps constant association with friends through texting, as most people these days do.

As she is set to inspire the Region 7 athletes who will compete in the forthcoming Palarong Pambansa in Naga City, Camarines Sur, she vows to show the true meaning of sportsmanship by being humble in victory and gracious in accepting defeat.


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