Miss Bicolandia Organizers Mourn Death of Beauty Queen

Naga City (22 August) - Organizers of the Miss Bicolandia pageant are mourning the sudden and tragic death in a vehicular accident of reigning Bb. Pilipinas-International Melody Gersbach yesterday.

Gersbach was headed to Naga City from Legazpi City in order to attend the screening of this year's candidates to the Ms. Bicolandia pageant when the vehicle she was on, a Toyota Innova, was hit head-on by a Guevarra Lines minibus along Sitio Banasi, Brgy. Pawili, Bula town.

Gersbach, her talent manager Alvin Orense, and the Innova's driver died on the spot due to severe injuries caused by the collision.

The bus driver, in the meantime, has surrendered to authorities and is being charged with reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicides.

The victim's family stated that they are bringing her remains from a Pili mortuary back to Legazpi City.

Gersbach won as Miss Bicolandia in 2008 and later was chosen as Bb. Pilipinas-International in 2009.