Starting 'em young: A pageant for Cuties and Teenies

We know we're a beauty-pageant crazy country, with so many beauty titles and competitions happening throughout the year. Lately though, we've been seeing a lot of pageants for little girls and teenagers. 

But, so far, the most prestigious pageants for little girls in the country is Little Miss Solane which is not just a beauty pageant, but one that aims to help them grow into "empowered" ladies. Interesting. This year's competition happened recently, had  24 charming tots and teens competing for the crown,    at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premier.

 

Mrs. Philippines-Globe National Pageant Director Morena Carla Cabrera-Quimpo; Isla LPG Corporation CEO Ramon del Rosario and Solane Mother of the Year Jessie Lou Lucero

 Isla Petroleum and Gas CEO Shoichi Watanabe and Isla LPG Corporation CEO Ramon del Rosario welcomed the guests. 

The stellar panel of judges was composed of Solane Promotions and Research Manager Valerimae Batenga, Solane Product and Brand Manager Ernest Loquinario, Solane Mother of the Year 2013 Jessie Lou Lucero, Mrs. Philippines-Globe 2013 2nd runner up Rachel Ann Felix, Mrs. Philippines-Globe 2013 Woman of Substance Rizza Singson, theatre actor and singer Al Gatmaitan and former beauty queen and model Patty Betita.

 

Former beauty queen Patty Betita, Mrs. Philippines-Globe 2013 2nd Runner-Up Rachel Ann Felix

 and Solane Promotions and Research Manager Valeri Batenga

Cebuana girls Marydee Manayaga and Duchess Blythe Uybengkee were crowned as this year's Little Miss Solane Cuties and Teenies.

 

Cuties from left (front row): 1st runner up Steph Netthel Redne Yamut, Little Miss Solane 2014 Marydee Manayaga and 2nd runner up Ashley Kate Arindain; Teenies from left (back row): 1st runner up Ma. Dominique Trillana, Little Miss Solane 2014 Duchess Blythe Uybengkee and 2nd runner up Kyla Angelica Marie De Catalina

Little Miss Solane Cuties 2013 Caryl Codina and Little Miss Solane Teenies 2013 Gabbi Lopez happily passed their crowns to the new winners. Caryl shared that travelling around the country was her memorable part of being a Little Miss Solane, while Gabbi was grateful that the pageant helped her to be confident, eventually taking a spot in the GMA Artist Center as one of its talents.