BINIBINING PILIPINAS CROWNS ITS 2013 WINNERS!

By Arnulfo Distor

“Sensitivity is the one thing that women can teach men”- Ariella Arida

The golden edition of the Binibining Pilipinas adhered to the template of choosing the winner for the Miss Universe Philippines title. A BS Chemistry graduate from the University of the Philippines who hails from the province of Laguna was crowned in a night of glittering fashion. Ariella “Ara” Arida, was not a fan favorite but wowed the audience on the fashion show and finally claimed her call to fame on the coronation night. She was also chosen as Best in Swimsuit.

Bea Rose Santiago was chosen as the Bb. Pilipinas-International 2013, a multi-talented model and grew up in Canada but eventually came back to her Filipino roots to fulfill a dream to represent the Philippines in the Miss International contest. She said that the ideal Filipino is both proud and happy. She emphasized that love of her mother country the Philippines make the family go back to their roots every year. She was also adjudged as Miss Avon.

Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism is Joanna Cindy Miranda who had two special awards during the evening. She was adjudged as the Miss Petron 2013 as well as Cream Silk Beyond Beautiful Woman Award. When asked what personality quality people remember about her, she quipped that she is unstoppable and that she wanted to do everything and she does as long she knows it is the right thing to do.

Erstwhile fan favorite Mutya Johanna Datul settled for the Bb. Supranational title. Mutya was well-loved as she had a lot of fans rooting for her. She won the Miss Photogenic and Best in Evening Gown special awards. I am not at a surprise of the two special awards she had. She was always good in pictures and she was simply resplendent in the evening gown department as even noted Philippine fashion designers were admirably clapping for her during the segment. Everyone was on their heels during the Question and Answer portion where pageant fans think that this is her waterloo. When asked by Ambassador Roberto Mayorga about her advocacy, she said, she wanted to extend help to people in need especially those people who are within the sponsorship of the BPCI charities.

Pia Wurtzbach, another front-runner was first runner-up.  When asked about the greatest achievement of Bb. Pilipinas, she quipped that it is not only the candidates but also everyone because the organization has touched a lot of people’s lives and it has become an inspiration to everyone.

Fifteen semifinalists were chosen and the others that completed the circle were Parul Shah, Maria Angelica de Leon, Merry Joyce Respicio, Camille Carla Nazar, Amanda Noelle Navasero, Ellore Noelle Punzalan, Charmaine Elima, Rhea Nakpil, Grace Yann Apuad and Imelda Schweighart.

Photo Credits: Bb. Pilipinas, Critical Beauty, OPMB, Missosology

QUEENTESSENCE’ TAKE ON THE BINIBINING PILIPINAS CANDIDATES (SERIES 5 OF 5)

Candidates 41-50

By Arden Bautista

Candidate Number 41 is Ariella Arida. She is 24 years old and is from Alaminos, Laguna. She is a graduate of BS Chemistry in UP Los Banos. Ariella tried out at the Miss Philippines-Earth last year but was not quite lucky. She persevered as she underwent fitness training and what a revelation, she now has a well-toned body and great projection. Can she slug it out with the other candidates who are also gifted with beauty, brains and power?

Candidate Number 42 is Jacqueline Alexandra Mayoralgo. Jacqueline is 24 years old and hails from Makati City. She is a titleholder of Miss Makati Tourism in 2008. She is a professional singer.

Candidate Number 43 is Rhea Nakpil. She is 23 years old and she is from San Mateo, Rizal. Rhea is well-known to everyone as she is working in the celluloid world. However, she took time out from her showbiz life to face another challenge in life which is the Bb. Pilipinas 2013.

Candidate Number 44 is Gabrielle Monique Runnstrom and is 19 years old and from Las Pinas City. She once participated in the Miss Resorts World 2012 Beauty Pageant. She is characterized by one pageant fan as someone who is an interesting mysterious beauty with good facility for words. Would she be lucky this time?

Candidate Number 45 is Imelda Schweighart. Imee is not new to the world of beauty pageants. This 18 year old Fil-German lass won Miss Silka Philippines in 2010. She used to be a co-host of TV5 Primetime Show “Willing Willie” until she succumbed to the call of the Bb. Pilipinas competition. With her mestiza features and her celebrity status and photogenic at that, many people say she would go the way of Nicole Schmitz as Bb. Pilipinas International winner.   

 Candidate Number 46 is Amanda Noelle Navasero. Miss Navasero at this early stage has already a monicker - Miss Casual! Why the tag? Well, she was seen as in very casual outfit and look when she submitted her application to be a candidate. And when the callback was made, she transformed into someone with a sweet aura.

Candidate Number 47 is Aiyana Mikiewicz, a Fil-Ukrainian-German-Scandinavian descent young lady who hails from La Union. Aiyana is Mutya ng La Union 2012 and she has tucked into her belt different regional titles that underscore her claim for a possible Bb. Title. Would she be successful in a national pageant?

Candidate Number 48 is Angeli Dione Gomez. Angeli is Reyna ng Aliwan 2012 and Miss Resorts World 2011 candidate. This sweet looking girl is from Toledo City who can also give the frontrunners a run for their money.

Candidate Number 49 is Herlie Kim Artugue. She is from Cebu and she joined the Miss Cebu City 2012 Beauty Pageant 4^th runner-up. Herlie also did fashion shows when she was in Cebu.

Candidate Number 50 is Maria Cristina Ann Pascual. She is Krisma to friends. Krisma is Miss PSBA 2012 where she finished her Accountancy course. This young lady who is said to be like a latina is bubbly, striking and has a ready smile for everyone. She is said to be very conversant and thus her communication skills are above par. Let us see how she will fare in this year’s pageant.

For this last set of candidates, strong candidates are the following: 45 and 47.

Bubbling up: 41 and 50.

For our strong candidates, we have a total 18 candidates and bubbling up candidates with 8 candidates. We therefore have a total of 26 candidates in contention, just a little more than half of the total candidates. 

In our next issue, we will try to pare our choices as we see them in the press presentation and in their other activities. I have included some inputs made on the candidates during the talent competition to make these first choices.