Jessica Zevenbergen of San Carlos City was crowned the Lin-ay sang Negros 2015 of the 22 nd Panaad sa Negros Festival, at the jampacked Panaad Sports Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, at about 1:05 a.m. today.

Zevenbergen, 18, a student of Colegio de Santa Rita, also won three corporate awards, received P60,000 in cash, a 100 percent full scholarship in a course of her choice for a year.

The lady, who loves swimming, is also a point guard in basketball.

Sagay City's bet Jennel Lacsina, was first runner-up, and won P40,000 in cash, and a 75 percent scholarship in a course of her choice for a year.

Lacsina also won as the best in swimsuit, Lin-ay sang Organik na Negros-North, and four corporate awards.

Himamaylan City's Blessie Joy Zayco, who bagged a corporate award, was second runner-up. She received P20,000 in cash, and 50 percent scholarship in a course of her choice for a year.

All three received trophies, sashes and bouquets.

Talisay City's bet Valerie Blancaflor, who was also among the top five finalists, was the best in evening gown. San Enrique town's Airrah Mae Trigue also made it to the top 5.

Bacolod City was given the Lin-ay sang Negros Hall of Fame award for being the winner of the pageant for three consecutive years since 2012 up to last year, so had no candidate in this year's beauty pageant.

The newly-crowned Lin-ay sang Negros, who said she never anticipated the award, told the DAILY STAR that she was overwhelmed.

Asked for her message to the Negrosanons, Zevenbergen said she hopes to be the best advocate and ambassadress that they can ever hope for.

Other candidates who made it to the top 10 were Leister Jane Decinal of Kabankalan City, Maria Nena Balagtas - Moises Padilla town, Eunica Janine Cabayao - Manapla town, Jesella Estrella - Cadiz City, and Rina Setinta of Candoni town.

Judging the four-hour pageant were Man Hunt International 2013 June Macasaet, Binibining Pilipinas 1st runner-up Tracy Ann Javelona-Saez, model Erwin David, and Miss Earth Air 2013 Stephanie Stefanowitz, with Tom Omaga-Diaz as chairman of the board of judges.

John Arceo and Reve Abelarde hosted the competition, with MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino as special guest of honor.

This year's battle of beauties was capped with a fireworks display.*SGG

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