Miss ZaNorte-Illinois 2007 had their first pictorials on Saturday, September 29. The bevy of beauties led by Kesa Bajamunde, ZAMNAI Tourism Committee Head and Project Chairperson boarded the Wendella Boat Tours for a location shoot with Chicago’s sweeping skyline as a backdrop.

Abigail Tiu (Manukan), Jaqueline Te (Dipolog), Ruphy Anne Pineda (Sindangan), Ma. Theresa Simborio (Polanco) and Mari Kristine Adaza (Dapitan) had a blast as the excursion winded around the Chicago River and out into Lake Michigan.

The motley crew was joined by ZAMNAI Prez Rem Sienes with his lovely family, Cyd Adriatico, Hector Fernandez and other relatives and friends of the candidates. Everyone got their “land legs” back as the party disembarked after the hour-long trip and proceeded to the Millennium Park to pose at “The Bean“, the striking Anish Kapoor steel sculpture that has become one of the city’s top attractions. (ABF)

Ruphy Anne Pineda (Sindangan)

Abigail Tiu (Manukan)

Ma. Theresa Simborio (Polanco)

Mari Kristine Adaza (Dapitan)

Jaqueline Te (Dipolog)

We spotted Jacky Te, Dipolog City’s candidate for 2007 Miss ZaNorte-Illinois hobnobbing with singer Kuh Ledesma, dapper brother Richard in tow at the anniversary of the Word of Grace church held Friday, September 28 at the Holiday Inn, Skokie (IL). Fancy meeting you guys! (ABF)

We are excited to learn that Megan Vallecer-dela Cruz is on her 23rd to 29ths ad for Walgreens, a 5000-store drugstore chain. Check her out in the cute Kitty Cat outfit.

Megan is 9 years old, a graduate of John Robert Powers in Chicago and has signed with Lilys Talent, Royal Model and Talent Management and Babes N Beaus, all Chicago agents. She is scheduled to appear on the January 2008 issue of the famous American Girl catalog.

For a girl her age, Megan has done a lot of educational and commercial print advertising.

Megan is the daughter of Bong and Rasol Vallecer dela Cruz. Rasol hails from Turno, Dipolog City.

Way to go girl!

Zamboanga del Norte participated in the recent 55th Anniversary celebration of its neighbor, Zamboanga del Sur. The province also played host to the 2007 WOW Philippines-ZamPen Regional Tourism Exposition.

The event, which ran from September 17-26, showcased the Megayon Festival, a celebration of peace and solidarity which featured age-old traditions and customs of the tri-people of Zamboanga del Sur.Megayon is a Subanen word for unity which is the goal of the provincial leadership headed by Gov. Aurora Cerilles to forge a genuine and harmonious relationship among the people of Zamboanga del Sur.

Ambibo MPR Miko Estacio was there and took some pics.