By Eva C. Visperas 

 

THE Sison Auditorium in Lingayen town was transformed into a sea of enthusiastic supporters on July 29, 2024 when Miss Nikki Buenafe (Nikhisah Buenafe Cheveh), who recently won the crown as Miss Multinational Philippines 2024, had her homecoming.

The jampacked crowd was aglow with pride and celebration, the red carpet was rolled for her as she walked down the aisle for her grand entrance.

Miss Nikki from Binmaley town was welcomed like royalty, with a celebration fit for a Miss Universe winner. Provincial officials led by Gov. Ramon Guico III and Vice Gov. Mark Lambino, well-wishers and adoring fans like us, gathered to witness the triumphant return of our hometown heroine.

Thanks to the lovely First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico, who’s stewardship to the spectacular gatherings made it happen.  She is also the head of the Limgas na Pangasinan executive committee and really exerted so much effort for the Limgas event, which undoubtedly was the best ever held.

Watching Nikki from a distance at the Sison Auditorium, her grace and beauty have, indeed, become a symbol of pride for the entire province.

I first met Nikki during the selection for Darling of the Press for the 2023 Limgas na Pangasinan. At that instant, I was already mesmerized by her overall personality, especially her intelligence. The second time was when we both became judges for the Miss Villasis pageant in January this year.  We were seated beside each other and she was sweet and humble.

Nikki is a BA degree-holder in Asian Studies at the University of Sto. Tomas.

For those who aren’t aware yet, the 25-year-old Nikki hails from Buenlag, Binmaley and became Miss Binmaley in February 2023. She was eventually crowned Limgas na Pangasinan World during the Pista’y Dayat celebration in 2023 and automatically represented Pangasinan in the Miss World (Philippines).  She won the title Miss Multinational Philippines 2024 during the grand coronation night on July 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena. She will represent the Philippines to the Miss Multinational to be held in India in December.

During the press conference for her homecoming, she said, “I am so proud to be a woman of Pangasinan because my roots are here, my culture is here, and I was able to be who I am because of my past, my history and the people I grew up with.”

Truly proud of her roots, Nikki expressed her deep gratitude to Mrs. Maan Guico for all her support and for treating her like a younger sister, who “guides me, she protects me, and makes sure that whatever path that I choose to take is the right path for the right reasons.”

And, like a proud mom, Mrs. Maan Guico said Nikki’s triumph “sets the bar high for those future queens of Limgas na Pangasinan.”

“I really admire that, your passion, your dedication, as well as your advocacy. So, thank you so much for loving Pangasinan. We are very proud of you,” she added.

Mrs. Maan earlier said during the Sison Auditorium gathering, that “Nikki epitomizes what a Pangasinense woman should be. She has evolved into a modern Urduja — a woman whose bravery, wit, and beauty stand out among the rest. The crown she wears and the title she earned personify the true essence of Pangasinense women.”

Conquer the world, Nikki! Pangasinan is behind you.

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