Bantilan Crowned Miss Maui Filipina 2011

By Maui Now staff

Shelby Bantilan, Maui Now photo.

A new queen was selected over the weekend at the 52nd Miss Maui Filipina Scholarship Pageant, sponsored by the Maui Filipino Community Council.

Shelby Bantilan, 20, secured the title as well as competition awards in the Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit, and Best in Talent phases of the competition.  Bantilan is the daughter of Melvin and Antoinette Bantilan, and traces her Filipino roots to Baguio City.

She will use the $1,500 scholarship award towards her education at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, where she is studying Pre-Dental Hygiene.  Bantilan also has the opportunity to travel to the Philippines with airfare sponsored by Rey-Cel Travel, and a $1,000 travel allowance sponsored by the Maui Filipino Community Council.

The annual event held Saturday night at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa featured five candidates ranging in age from 17 to 21.  Contestants focused on the pageant theme, “Education is the Essence of Progress”, by delivering a speech on the importance of education and the positive impacts it has had on their lives.

The First Runner-Up Award went to Tiffany Silva, who also received the award for her Pre-Pageant Interview, and a non-competition award for the Best Terno Gown Design.

Other members of the Queen’s Court include Erika Sablay, Diane Lajorda, and Melissa Rabino. Other highlights of the evening included a performance and final walk by Miss Maui Filipina 2010, Dibea Lapid, who helped to mentor this year’s court.

Miss Maui Filipina 2011 Shelby Bantilan poses with Pageant Judges (from left to right): Kennan Randolph, Koa Johnson (Terno Judge), Shawn Alison Kanae, Shelby Bantilan (Miss Maui Filipina 2011), Cora Brown (Terno Judge), John Tomoso, Leah Boloson Belmonte, Susie Davis, and Wendy Osher. Photo by Pageant Auditor Honorable Judge Joseph Cardoza.