Over a million worth of prizes await the lucky winners of Miss Mandaluyong 2010, where some 25 candidates representing the different barangays are expected to vie for the title. Now on its 11th year, the annual search for beauty and wit highlights the weeklong celebration of Mandaluyong’s 65th Liberation and 16th Cityhood Anniversary on February 9. The pageant, through the years, delves on searching for the fairest lady who is more than just a beautiful face. “We are very proud that what started out as a simple activity has now become the most awaited part of our yearly festivities,” stressed First Lady Menchie Abalos, the project proponent and chairperson of the Kababaihan Kakaiba ng Mandaluyong (KKM). Pre-pageant activities have been lined-up including Swimsuit Competition and Press Presentation of the candidates on Jan. 27, and the Talent and Intelligence Night on Jan. 30. The pageant’s coronation night will be held on Feb. 6, 7pm at the city gymnasium. Apart from the title, candidates will also compete for special awards such as Best in Gown , Best in Swimsuit, Best in Talent, Miss Friendship, Miss Photogenic, Beauty with a Heart, and other sponsor’s awards. The winner of the city’s prestigious beauty pageant will receive a cash prize of P200,000 and a four to five-year scholarship grant with monthly stipend at the Rizal Technological University (RTU). She will also attend to various socio-civic activities and projects of the local government. Prizes of the runner-up include P100,000 cash with a 4-year scholarship (first), P75,000 with 4-year scholarship (second), and P50,000 for the third and fourth runners-up. Mandaluyong City is the only local government that provides full scholarship to the winners of the pageant. The barangays, which they represented, will receive corresponding cash incentives, ranging from 10,000 – 50,000. Likewise the talent managers of the winners will be given cash incentives of P10,000 (Ms. Mandaluyong), P 8,000 (first runner-up), P 6,000 (second runner-up), and P 4,000 (third and fourth runners-up). The 20 non-winners will not go home empty-handed as they will be given P5,000 cash consolation each and gift packs from sponsors.