CARMEN, Cagayan de Oro City barangay chairman Raineir Joaquin Uy led the kickoff of Dinogan Festival this year with the debut presentation of the candidates of Miss Carmen 2026 last June 22 during the weekly flag raising at Carmen covered court.
The pageant this year is even made more relevant as this is the first Miss Carmen after nine years of hiatus.
The last Miss Carmen was 2017 winner Alexis Marie Vuelban who will turn over her crown on July 14.
Dinogan comes from dinog, a wild cherry that used to grow in barangay Carmen when it was still a dense forest once upon a time before the Spaniards came.
It is celebrated every July 16 to coincide with the feast of the patron saint of the barangay, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
This year, the barangay council of Carmen has lined up month-long activities to celebrate the occasion.
This include the Ginuman Fest on June 27 at Pueblo de Oro Business Park with Cookie$, Oh! Caraga and Chocolate Factory, karaoke challenge until fiesta day touring all the 74 zones of the barangay, People’s Day with Mayor Rolando Uy on July 4 at West City Central School, motor show circuit from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on July 10, drum and lyre corps competition at 1:00 p.m. on July 13, concert plus rave with Earl Agustin and Brownman Revival on July 15 and more.
The candidates of Miss Carmen 2026 are Abbygale Paslon, Chriska May Remot, Anna Marie Cassandra Aguro, Ethelle Franchette Patino, Japhrean Leyson, Jackilou Jean Relevo, Cher Ellie Javierto, Mary Jeanish Gida, Deniella Marie Maloga, Lovely Heart Adem, Sharmelle Isabel Javier, Princess Kyra Lagrosas, Mary Divine Jimunzala, Sal Melgen Amistoso and Kacey Capina.
They will have their swimsuit competition on July 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Country Villag Hotel followed by the coronation on July 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Academy.
Uy is looking forward for a another festive fiesta celebration this year.
“Ang Dinogan Festival usa ka pamatuod sa kalipay, pagtinabangay ug panaghiusa. Mabuhay barangay Carmen,” he said.
