The finale of Miss Cebu 2023 was held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on Wednesday, 11th January 2023 where Kefaiah Al-zair was crowned Miss Cebu 2023. Miss Cebu is part of the festivities of Sinulog Festival which is currently in its 43rd year run.
Al-zair is 19 years of age and a nursing student at Velez College who hails from the municipality of Sibonga in Southern Cebu. Kefaiah Al-zair, at the finale Q/A was asked, “What is the single important tourism asset of Cebu City and how do you think it should be used to promote the city to potential tourists?”
Her winning answer was, “Not only do we have modern infrastructures, but we can also offer serene highlands and building relationships. It is the people. The people are the highlight of Cebu because it is the foundation of the tourism aspect that we have here in Cebu, imbued with gratification and harmony. This is who we are as a Cebuano. This is the foundation of Cebu — the Cebuanos.”
Kefaiah Al-zair will be the face and ambassadress of Cebu who will play a vital role in promoting and growing Cebu’s tourism industry. At the finale, the stunner also won major special awards including Best in Evening Gown, Best in Hinablon, Miss Pagcor Charity, and Miss Oro Galleria.
Also at the event finale, the first runner-up spot went to Patricia Dueñas from Talamban, Cebu City. She was also named Miss Standout Beauty by Myra-e. Dueñas is a licensed medical technologist who is now studying at the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) to become a medical doctor. Corinthia Empe, Chynna Julienne Dorado, and Niña Danielle Illustrisimo were adjudged second, third and fourth runners-up respectively. Dorado, the third runner-up, was also named Most Photogenic.
A number of special awards were also presented at Miss Cebu 2023; Laica Pauline Uy bagged the Fashion Forward Filipina award for her finesse in carrying her modern Balintawak dress during the opening number of Miss Cebu 2023 and also won Most Confident award. Shari Stacey Bacalso of Cebu City was awarded Miss Friendship.
The panel of jury who were in-charge of crowning Miss Cebu 2023 included Didier Belmonte, general manager of Crimson Resort in Mactan; Marites Allen, Philippines’ Feng Shui queen; celebrity doctor Vicki Belo; international fashion designer Michael Leyva; and Miss Earth 2019 Neyles Pimentel of Puerto Rico.