SHELBY BANTILAN, Miss Maui Filipina 2011

Shelby Bantilan, Miss Maui Filipina 2011

By: Fil-Am Observer Staff

“I’m overwhelmed and overjoyed – there’s no way I can express what I’m feeling right now,” said Shelby Bantilan, 19, after she was crowned Miss Maui Filipina 2011 during the 52^nd Miss Maui Filipina Scholarship Pageant. Sponsored by the Maui Filipino Community Council and coordinated by Michelle Santos, the event was held on June 11 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa.

“I’m so thankful to everybody who made a difference in my life especially to my family, friends and supporters,” she added.

In her terno speech, Shelby expounded the importance of education in one’s life. She also mentioned the role of the Sakadas in today’s generation.

“The sacrifices and struggles my great grandfather made weighs heavy in my heart and I refuse to take them for granted,” she said.

Shelby graduated from Kamehameha Schools-Maui and currently enrolled in Pre-Dental Hygiene at University of Hawaii-Manoa. She is the daughter of Melvin and Antoinette Bantilan of Haiku. In an interview, they said, “We are so proud of her – we knew she could do it.”

Her major prizes include a round trip ticket to the Philippines with a $ 1,000 travel allowance, and a $ 1500 scholarship.

The new Miss Maui Filipina  2011 entourage includes: Tiffany Quintos Silva, 1^st runner-up; Melissa Rabino, 2^nd runner-up; Diane Lajorda, 3^rd runner-up; and Erka Sablay, 4^th runner-up.

Miss Maui Filipina and court: [L-R] Diane Lajorda, 3rd runner-up; Melissa Rabino, 2nd runner-up; Queen Shelby Bantilan, Miss Maui Filipina 2011; Tiffany Quintos Silva, 1st runner-up, and Erika Sablay, 4th runner-up

Shelby will represent Maui in the Miss Hawaii Filipina 2011 pageant in Oahu on July 30.

The winners in each category are:

            Best in Lifestyle and Swimsuit-Shelby Bantilan

            Best in Talent-Shelby Bantilan

            Best in Terno Speech-Melissa Rabino

            Best in Pre-Pageant Interview-Tiffany Silva

The other non-competing category winners are:

            Miss Congeniality-Diane Lajorda

            Miss Mabuhay-Melissa Rabino

            Miss Photogenic-Melissa Rabino

            Best in Terno Design-Tiffany Silva

            Most Advertisement Sold-Melissa Rabino

            Most Tickets Sold-Melissa Rabino