More than the shimmering costumes, sleek suits, and creative props of the Mister and Miss VSU candidates during the talent competition held yesterday, April 24, at the Research and Development Extension (RDE) Hall, were the talents that uphold creative self-expressions and address social issues.
Similar to the preliminary competition held last Saturday, April 22, 2023, the talent competition is a refabrication of the contenders who are selected for the final night. This portion of the competition was judged by Mr. Kriszar Navarroza, Mr. Victor Tuballa Lantin, and Ms. Lois Montes-Hunter, the chairperson of the selection committee.
The serotonin-inducing showcase of talents of the eight pairs of equally striking ladies and gentlemen in the Mr. and Ms. VSU Talent Competition was indeed a show-stopping one, exceeding expectations of what a talent presentation is all about.
Daniel Haylo, male candidate no. 3, representing the College of Engineering and Technology (CET) and the College of Forestry and Environmental Science (CFES), surprisingly gave us a gracious dance performance accompanied by P-pop and K-pop songs. With his feminine moves, he garnered applause and left an insightful closing message of celebrating femininity in men, dismantling the idea of toxic masculinity. On the other hand, female candidate, Jeyl Myneth Jusain, gave a remarkable performance that highlighted the issue of abuse against women.
The talent show gave all the candidates more than a stage but also a platform to speak about existing social issues.
Some male candidates showed their inner Michael Buble and Josh Turner personalities that made the hearts of the crowd skip a beat. Others played instruments such as piano, and guitar. The rest displayed strength through Arnis, danced in an upbeat track of Bahal na Tuba, and impressed the audience through a dual voice.
Culture was also given the spotlight as some of the female candidates performed ethnic dances from the tribes of Mindanao and Filipino folk dances such as Tinikling and Singkil. Others gave the spectators a daring dance number, an international dance, and exhibited prowess in singing, flexing their inner Disney princess.
The performances that were presented yesterday will have a bearing on the candidate as to whose stars align to wear the sash and crown on coronation night. Catch all eight pairs of dazzling candidates tonight, 7 pm, April 25, 2023, at the VSU Gymnasium as they vie for the title of the next Mr. and Miss VSU 2023.