For two consecutive years, the Miss IIT crown belonged to Miss CASS

By Amie Rose M. Lacaya & Rommel M. Limjoco

Reigning Miss CASS Marjorie M. Achacoso made her way on top of seven other ladies to this year's crown. She undoubtedly extended the lingering proud spirit of the transcendental arachnids during the search for Mr. & Ms. IIT last August 31, 2011.

Marjorie a second-year AB Sociology lass, bagged two minor awards, namely, Ms. Congeniality and Ms. Konika Smile. These were awarded during the preliminary rounds of the pageant. And after three exposures, the top five pairs were declared, scores went back to zero for the question and answer.

When asked by the host how she feels, Marjorie said that she feels nervous but is trying to compose herself. Judge number five asked Miss CASS the question: “If you were to choose, what do you want to be? A person who acquires tons of skills or a person with a high-level of luck and why?”

Marjorie confidently answered “Good evening ma'am. Thank you for that question. I will choose a person with skills, because if a person with skills would use the skills in the right way then I believe that he will become successful.”

Marjorie together with Mr. CASS Roosebelt Bolano serve as the college's ambassadors. And with Marjorie's recent win of the Miss IIT crown, she is also tasked to be the Institute's Ambassadress. Marjorie is tasked to promote the College and the Institute in order to continually advertise that IIT is one of the best institutions that offers not only quality education but also adheres to the promotion and development of the individual and society. “I will be representing my college and the institute the best way that I can through support programs, activities and other events that are for the welfare of the students that can help in the holistic development of IITians,” she proudly stated. 

She honestly admitted that she felt so pressured upon joining the pageant; it is because she has to meet the expectations of the students from CASS and to defend the title. 

“I felt so blessed with love, support and guidance from our Almighty Father, family, friends and the CASS family. I have always been praying that hopefully on that night I would have the confidence and peace of mind so that it would be easy for me to manage myself well,” Marjorie added. “I felt so happy of course, because despite having problems we all successfully made it to the top. I am so thankful for having such mentors that helped me to be motivated and to face my fear. I am so proud of my family, friends, and mentors and especially to God for without you all, I will not make it to the top. You became my inspiration to strive harder and to give my all for that pageant to defend the title and to aim more.”

Marjorie's inspiring message to her fellow CASS students is “Whatever opportunities that will come into your life, grab it. If you think you have something to be proud of then, show it. Accept compliments and criticisms for it would help you to become a better person. Put God at the center of everything, and most importantly “success is not a matter of chance but it is a matter of choice.”

Marjorie will be flying to Hongkong sometime during the semestral break; the said trip is one of the major prizes for the Mr. and Ms. IIT 2011.

Mr. CASS, Roosebelt B. Bolaño, a first year AB Political Science student seized most of the minor awards in the preliminary rounds. He was awarded as Mr. Congeniality, Mr. Skin and Body Care, Best in College Shirt (Male), Best in Production Number (Male), Mr. High-Fashion and Best in Barong Attire. He was declared as Mr. IIT 2011 second runner-up.

Marjorie followed the legacy of Maria Josefina Sanchez who was Miss CASS 2010, Miss IIT 2010 and Miss ICTSAA 2011 rolled into one. She made her farewell walk towards the end of the pageant along with Mr. IIT 2010 and Mr. ICTSAA 2011 Brian Joseph Jumawid. Together they turned over the crown to the newly hailed Mr. and Ms. IIT 2011.

The Mr. and Ms. IIT pageant which highlighted College Tourism is one of the big events of the annual Palakasan.