The Finals of the Search for the Lakan and Lakambini ng GenSan 2011 yesterday, February 23, 2011, turned out to be one of the most jampacked in its 6-year old history.

As early as 2pm, the atrium of the Gaisano Mall of GenSan, the official venue of the pageant began filling in with people from all walks of life and soon enough, it was standing room only for everyone.

"CONGRESSIONAL SPOUSE DR. ROSE ACHARON & GENSAN MAYOR DARLENE ANTONINO-CUSTODIO FLANK LAKAN 2011 RICHARD MARK NUNEZ & LAKAMBINI 2011 JOANA MARIE TAN AFTER AWARDING THEM THEIR TITLES."

By 4:30 pm, the pageant, directed by Dino Veloso commenced and as the 10 male and 10 female candidates sashayed on the elevated ramp and strutted out their stuff, cheers and yells from their fans and supporters filled the huge atrium.

The candidates came out in various clothes, mostly designed by Fashion Designers Association of the Phillipines president Johnny Abad while their casual wear was provided by Freego.

JUDGES RAIN RAMAS (A LIFESTYLE GURU), CITY COUNCILOR MEG SANTOS, HOTELIER REY BILLENA, CONGRESSIONAL SPOUSE DR. ROSE ACHARON SMILE FOR BARILES' CAMERA. AT THE FARTHEST RIGHT IS CITY COUNCILOR RICHARD ATENDIDO.

The audience had a grand time with the fast-paced show and all the candidates, obviously having fun while trying to look and give it their best.   But only 1 couple had to win and so in the end, the 11 judges awarded the titles to Lakan Richard Mark Nunez, a nursing stude of GSC Doctors Foundation Inc and Lakambini Joana Marie Tan, an NDDU Masscom student.

. The winning pairs of the search for the Lakan at Lakambini ng GenSan 2011 pose after the awarding ceremonies at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of GenSan on Feb 23, 2011. The winners are (L-R) 2nd runners-up Francis Jay Lagudas and Gensan Mae Cabatingan, Lakan at Lakambini ng GenSan 2011 Richard Mark Nuñez and Joana Marie Tan, and 1st runners-up Dallen Baldonado and Jomie Fritz Zaulda.

Gracing the pageant with her valuable presence was GenSan City Mayor Darlene Magnolia Antonino-Custodio who gave a short but rousing speech to an obviously starstrucked audience.  Later on, she personally awarded the winners their titles along with Congressional Spouse Dr. Rose Acharon.

Kudos to the organizers, Project O! Consultants and partner Gaisano Mall of GenSan for continuing the tradition of discovering youthful, talented and good-looking generals to serve as the youth’s role models.