THE rainy Friday afternoon last week could not match the sizzling atmosphere at SM City Clark as 19 lovely and extraordinary candidates heated the mall's event center.

Wit and glamour was the name of the game as the beautiful candidates competed for the title Ms. Grandview 2008.

Organized by Grandview, the newest commercial home development in Metro Angeles, the contest was to tap on local beauties that would perfectly represent the ideals and corporate identity of Grandview.

With charming hosting by GV Heights 2, the program presented the rarest faces in the metro and nearby towns. The competition just got hotter in the summer wear competition courtesy of Folded and Hung. Simple and elegant was the contest that it did not fail to attract a large crowd at the mall's show area.

It was also a competition among family members who trooped to support their respective candidates.

After grueling hours of competition, the judges named Margie Catacutan, Sarah Marie Magat, Rachelle Canilao, Sucharade Nicdao, Lady Essel Pecson and Jinky Ann Nicdao as the final six.

But this is not without a heavy heart for the part of the judges who had the difficult time picking through the candidate's thoughts and talents.

Judges included Angeles Councilor Maricel Morales Clark Development Corporation vice president Pepito Galang, Jancen Manager Angela Nodrell, Fred Cruz of New Hair and Scalp Clinic, ACLC marketing assistant Edmond Sampang, and general manager Arnel Torres of Phil Land Group.

Serenading the finalist with his "El Divo" voice was maverick singer Yvo and accented with other performances from local talents.

Philippine Land Group president and chief executive officer Maurice Vanm said the most exciting part of the competition is where the candidates would try to project themselves as worthy models of Grandview.

"This is our way of celebrating the start of Grandview here and hopefully it would be a good start," Vanm said.

The competition yielded the names Sucharade Nicdao (second runner-up), Lady Essel Pecson (first runner-up) and Ms. Grandview 2008 Jinky Ann Nicdao with the winners carting off thousands of pesos in cash awards and gift certificates.

Sponsors for the Ms. Grandview were Folded and Hung, Jancen, Fashionista Boutique, New Men Hair and Scalp Clinic.