Congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. filed House Resolutions No. 546, 547, and 548 on December 3, 2025, recognizing the achievements of Miss International 2025 4th Runner-Up Myrna Esguerra and Kapampangan designers Richard Strandz and Rich Sabinian.
Esguerra — previously 4th Runner-Up in Mutya Ning Angeles 2022 and Miss Abra 2023 — secured the 4th Runner-Up title in the Miss International 2025 pageant held in Japan on November 27, besting 75 candidates from around the world. Her mother hails from Pidigan, Abra, while her father is from Angeles City. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management from the City College of Angeles in 2024.
For Lazatin, Esguerra’s win fulfills a longstanding hope: that a Mutya Ning Angeles alumna would eventually shine on the international stage. “She may not have been representing Angeles City during her stint in Binibining Pilipinas, but the First District of Pampanga is still very proud of what she has achieved,” he said.
Kapampangan designers Richard Strandz and Rich Sabinian, both from Angeles City, showcased world-class artistry through Esguerra’s pageant looks. Strandz created the national costume ‘Perlas de Sampaguita’, crafted with more than 10,000 pearls and floral elements to honor the country’s national flower. A pageant costume designer since 2011, Strandz also won Best National Costume at Binibining Pilipinas 2024 — also worn by Esguerra.
Sabinian designed Esguerra’s preliminary competition gown, a sun-gold piece inspired by the sun on the Philippine flag. Using ‘solihiya’, a traditional rattan weaving technique, he created a sunburst star pattern on the bodice. Before transitioning into fashion design, Sabinian worked for 13 years in a rattan furniture company.
Lazatin praised the pair, saying, “Pinakita ng ating mga Kapampangan designers sa Miss International stage na kayang-kaya nilang makipagsabayan at makipagtagisan ng galing sa mga designer mula sa iba’t ibang parte ng mundo.”*
During his term as Angeles City Mayor (2019–2025), Lazatin crowned four Mutya Ning Angeles titleholders: Mizziah Reyes (2019), Joanne Marie Thornley (2022), Genica Cruz (2023), and Allyson Hetland (2024). The pageant was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
