This past weekend saw Miss Gabriela Vanessa Salazar Valle, win the title and crown of the 20th Annual Reina de La Costa Maya 2015.
The pageant featured eight stunning delegates: Miss Belize – Samalia Vernon, Miss Costa Rica – Carolina On Porras, Miss Mexico – Samantha Gutíerrez Gónzalez-Rubio, Miss Nicaragua – Yuliset Laguna, Miss El Salvador – Genesis Margarita Fuentes Bolaños, Miss Guatemala – Lisa Hayet Francis, Miss Honduras – Gabriela Vanessa Salazar Valle, and Miss Panama Maria Saavendra.
San Pedro’s very own AIDS Commission Carnival Group, opened the pageant with a lively performance of “Rompe La Pinata,” a colourful display of cheer and dance. Other performances throughout the night included the Belize National Dance Company with Belizean Soca Entertainer Ernestine Carballo and Alma Caribeña dance group from Mexico.
Following the opening performance, the pageant was kicked off with quite a bang as the Carnival theme chosen for this year’s event, allowed each delegate, to dazzle the crowd with their costumes inspired by their country’s rich heritage. The next segment featured the delegates in tropical swimwear, strutting their physique poise and glamour. In the following segment, the beauties captivated the crowd as they sashayed across the stage in their evening gowns. The final segment of the night was the Question and Answer segment, where each delegate was required to answer a single question based on global topics.
After the total scores had been tallied, Ms. Valle was crowned as the new Reina de La Costa Maya by outgoing Miss Costa Maya – Elisa Gomez. Valle also won the award for Best National Costume. First runner-up went to Miss El Salvador and second runner-up went to Miss Belize.
Judges for the night were: Gricel Graniel, Idolly Saldivar, Manuel Ancona, Tanya Giacoman Ayala, and Diane Tabony. The pageant was hosted by Mr. Eiden Salazar and Miss Costa Maya 2012 Karen Jordan of Panama.
Here are some highlights of the event:
