Written by Azzele Kymm Labay and Erika Paris Latawan | Photographed by Althea Laraya
Mr. and Ms. SIT is an annual event held during the Day and Night celebration of the
School of Information Technology. It was temporarily put on hold during the pandemic and successfully resumed in 2024. Traditionally, the Mr. and Ms. SIT – otherwise known as MMSIT – serves as a search for SIT’s representatives in the Mr. and Ms. University of Baguio. In this year of 2025, the Mr. and Ms. SIT was led by Rick Jone Villanueva, 3rd year representative of Computer Science in the SIT Student Body.
From event organization to sponsorship contact, Mr. Villanueva went to various lengths for the success of Mr. and Ms. SIT. Thanks to him, SIT students were given the opportunity to showcase their beauty and charm through the various segments despite the traditional view of the students being solely focused on hardware and software.
The event was strongly connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals through the collaboration between the SIT Student Body and the various sponsors and partners for the Mr. and Ms. SIT. The event was sponsored by Dojo Kaizen 2600, Jhe-ar Dela Torre, Ilùmina Estetica, Kristia Tanelon MakeUp Artistry, and Jadazzled Nails. Each sponsor played a vital role in the success of the event through their support from judging to use of materials and prizes.
- Jhe-arr Dela Torre lent their evening gowns for all the female contestants.
- Kristia Tanelon MakeUp Artistry provided the makeup for selected contestants.
- Dojo Kaizen 2600 provided a 1 month free premium martial arts lesson package and six-month 50% discount for the crowned Mr. and Ms. SIT.
- Jadazzled Nails sponsored prizes for all the winners of 1 free appointment with the winners’ design of choice, 20% off for the 3 following appointments, and a free set for the representatives in Mr. and Ms. UB.
- Ilùmina Estetica with 3,000.00 peso gift certificate, redeemable for any of their premium treatments for all winners in the MMSIT.
Each judge in the event was chosen based on their expertise and relation to pageantry to select who truly exudes the presence and confidence to be the next Mr. and Ms. SIT.
- Denver Koby was the Director of the Office of Student Affairs and handled the Mr. and Ms. Baguio for 3 consecutive years, showcasing his keen eye for pageantry.
- Jasmine Mendoza was a part of the “La Reina”, a talent management group that has handled pageant candidates in Baguio, and acted as the judge for the Mr. and Ms. Photogenic award at the 2025 MMSIT.
- Nicole Antonette Tilap was the Miss University of Baguio First Runner Up and the Miss Baguio Kalikasan, thus providing her judgement as an experienced pageant contestant.
- Rendilyn Cuyop is the judge representing the Dojo Kaizen 2600, providing their perspective on physical fitness as part of the presentation in appearance of the contestants.
- Melvin Abel, the owner of Ilùmina Estetica, a beauty clinic, provided his expertise on facial beauty and aesthetics.
The competition was composed of six male and five female candidates. Each of them graced the stage with poise and radiated confidence, proving that SITizens are more than the typical stereotype of “introverted” individuals, they are capable of conquering crowns grounded in purpose and elegance. From the opening production number – filled with energy, a symphony of movement, and stage presence – to the competitive sportswear segment showcasing the various sports that embody strength, resilience, and fitness. The audience was entertained and amazed during the talent portion, as the contestants displayed their artistry through soulful singing, captivating dances, and impressive musical performances such as playing the violin and saxophone, highlighting their unique creativity and skills. This was followed by the dazzling and breathtaking evening wear presentation that made each contestant shine with elegance and sophistication.
Finally, the competition culminated in the impactful and remarkable answers during the question-and-answer portion, where the contestants stood on stage not just as pageantry icons aiming for titles, but also kings and queens with a vision for positive change.
Mr. Cristian Paull Fernandez defined success as enjoying life through achieving
happiness, contentment, and having your loved ones around. Meanwhile, Ms. Khryztelle Chaedy Angagka emphasized that “beauty shines when one starts to love themselves,” further explaining that she has noticed how the current generation struggles with mental health, leaving the next generation with the message to be kinder and more loving to oneself. These inspiring statements paved their way to the crown as Mr. and Ms. SIT 2025.
