Today, I suddenly remember Davaoeña beauty queen Erlinda Mejia, she was 1996 Mutya
ng Pilipinas Intercontinental (1st Runner-up). Prior to winning the 1996
national pageant, she won Mutya ng Dabaw 1991 where she was up against other
heavy favorites Jessica Roque (Binibining Pilipinas 1990 candidate) and Eda
Calonia (who later won 1994 BB. Pilipinas 2nd Runner-up and Miss Talent). Erlinda
then became co-anchors in ABS CBN Regional news (Davao) with Alex Santos and
Aljo Bendijo. Thus, when she competed in 1996, she was very prepared and was
confident. She later on represented the country in Miss Intercontinental 1997
which was won by Miss India Lara Dutta who eventually became Miss Universe 2000
in Cyprus.
