COLOURFUL: Ms. PSD Thea Paje and Mr. PSD Justin Somera, after winning the competition.     
Photo by Rachel Casipit

By Anand Holla


A sparkling wave of cheers and a hall full of young enthusiasm; it was an atmosphere befitting the anniversary celebrations of Philippine School Doha (PSD) on Friday. And the most awaited and glamorous highlight of the day was quite obviously, the Mr. and Ms. PSD 2015 competition.
Buzzing with energy, the packed PSD Gymnasium was the venue for the school’s celebration of its 23 years of service and excellence. The stars of the event though were the newly crowned Mr. PSD Justin Somera and Ms. PSD Thea Paje, who wowed the crowd with their good looks, smart styling, and swagger. The due prevailed over contenders from various sections as they all slugged it out in the following categories: Casual Wear, Thematic Attire, Long Gown and Formal Wear, and Talent round.
As in the previous beauty contests, the pageant aligned with the Mardi Gras theme. Contestants sashayed across the stage, introducing themselves to the applauding audience, and kept the excitement of the hard-fought competition alive. Somera and Paje’s triumph turned them into an instant hit at PSD.
Apart from the crown, Paje also got the best in gown, best in thematic attire, Ms. Photogenic, Ms. Winsome smile, Ms. SMDC, Ms. Filinvest International, Ms. Major Homes, Ms. Diana, Darling of the Crowd and Ms. Beneficent awards. However, Somera took Darling of the Crowd, Mr. Filinvest International, Mr. Diana Jewelry, Best in Talent, Best Thematic Attire, and Mr. Beneficent awards.
Their triumph did not come as a surprise as they had the fullest support from the audience. “Janella Joy P Cuaton, Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism 2015 and an alumna of PSD, was privileged to give the title to the new king and queen,” said an official from PSD. Later, Dr Alexander S Acosta, principal of the school, pointed out that “in order to build beauty of service and excellence in diversity, there’s a need to mould essential qualities of Filipino cultures by sowing the seeds of awareness and appreciation among various communities.”
Touted as a search for the modern, spirited, skilled, and talented young men and women, Mr and Miss PSD only got better this year, “embodying the core tenets of its foundation of serving as a platform to promote unity and oneness among PSDians that will pave the way to heightened relationships in attaining the school’s philosophy, service and excellence.” Through the event, the school says, it has also asserted its motto, which is: “PSD is simply the…B.E.S.T.”
Here are some of the winners at the event: Mr. Darling of the Crowd: Justin Somera; Ms. Darling of the Crowd: Thea Paje; Mr. Photogenic: Ethan Magboo; Ms. Photogenic: Thea Paje; Mr. Topnote: Einreb Ligaya; Ms. Topnote: Shannen Gwyneth Umlas; Ms. Filinvest International: Thea Paje; Mr. Filinvest International: Justin Somera; Mr. SMDC: Joseph Cuaton; Ms. SMDC: Thea Paje; Ms. Major Homes: Thea Paje; Mr. Major Homes: Abdullah Caram; Mr. Winsome Smile: Ramses Severino; Ms. Winsome Smile: Thea Paje; Mr. Best in Casual Wear: Zach Gonzales; Ms. Best in Casual Wear: Angelica Samonte; Mr. Congeniality: Ramses Severino; Ms. Congeniality: Jasmine Paquibot; Best in Talent: Justin Somera; Best in Talent: Kathryna Turo; Best in Formal Wear: Ramses Severino; Best in Long Gown: Thea Paje; Mr. Best Thematic Attire: Justin Somera; Ms. Best in Thematic Award: Thea Paje; Ms. Beneficent: Thea Paje; and Mr. Beneficent: Justin Somera.