By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – The crown stays in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, as 21-year-old Jada Biaxyl Celeste was named Lin-ay sang Negros 2025 during the coronation night at Panaad Park and Stadium on Friday, March 28.
Celeste outshone 26 other candidates, securing Victorias City’s second consecutive win following Kyla Rose Romarate’s reign in 2024.
A Business Administration student at the University of St. La Salle, Celeste brought home a PHP80,000 cash prize.
She also won Best in Evening Gown and Best in Swimwear.
Celeste previously held the title of Victorias City’s 2024 Kadalag-an Queen and placed in the Top 5 of the 2023 MassKara Queen pageant.
With her victory, Victorias City claimed its fourth Lin-ay sang Negros crown, joining past winners Ma. Victorias Durana (2000), Alyssa Jimenea-Montecino (2016), and Romarate (2024).
Victorias City Mayor Javier Benitez expressed pride in their win, posting on Facebook, “We didn’t just show up, we earned this.”
The city also scored a grand slam in this year’s Best of Festival Dances competition.
Ilog’s Maxine Louise Martin was named first runner-up, while Manapla’s Julianah Cassandra Makilan was second runner-up and also won Miss Photogenic.
Rounding out the Top 5 were Toboso’s Chattea Cajucson and Hinigaran’s Susmita Angelique Ramos, who took home Best in Festival Costume.
Sagay’s Rochelle Cabanyog won Best in Talent, while Himamaylan’s Jorelyn Cabatac was awarded Miss Congeniality.
La Castellana’s Chermaine Faith Semillano earned the title Muse of the Media.
Celebrity guest Prince Argel Saycon serenaded the candidates during the coronation night hosted by Robi Domingo and Pauline Dimaranan.
The panel of judges included Miss Earth 2004 Priscilla Meirelles, veteran actress Tessie Tomas, Miss Asia Pacific International third runner-up Blessa Ericha Figueroa, Lin-ay sang Negros 2007 Dr. Christer Mari Taclobos, and ACEN OPS Vice President Engr. Lord Lee Van Burgos.
The pageant was one of the highlights of the 29th Panaad sa Negros Festival, themed “The Future Unfolds.”
