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

POST-PRESS PRESENTATION RANKINGS QUEENTESSENCE SURVEY

By Arnulfo Distor

The press presentation highlighted two candidates of different qualities but stood out in front of the adoring and inquisitive eyes of the spectators. The candidates were presented to the press in their swimsuits. Mutya Datul and Charmaine Elima showed sparkle and vigor in their presentation. Their well-outlined bodies mesmerized the audience and truly the pageant scrimmages have started and are reaching pitch high. By a hairline, Elima edged out Datul among my paparazzi friends who attended the Press Presentation.

Pia Wurtzbach chose to approach her presentation in the mold of the old. She looked prim but all poised throughout. She however, sometimes manages to relax onstage and this stance allows people to compare her with the two in the leader board. And the difference is obvious.

Ria Rabajante after being chastised by the fans for showing herself in a very unglamorous look in a Binibini function was reborn to shine onstage during the press presentation. Truly this lady is a child of the stage. Being a fashion model, she knows how to burn the runway and her countenance of looking like a cross between former beauty queens like Miriam Quiambao and Evangeline Pascual is not easy to forget.

Anna Fernandina Buquid, the tall and lanky candidate appeared to have stunned a lot of pageant enthusiasts as she was riveting and adorable in her presentation stance. She has already stepped up her deportment and competitive demeanor. Although many people thought she was made up heavily, I think what was wrong with her is the use of the red lipstick on her. She looked kind of older but more vampy in character.

Imelda Sweighart maintained her number 6 rank and she made her presence felt. What she lacked in height she compensated it with her great personality. She was vivacious and full of energy. She was well-liked and appreciated.

Bea Santiago is one personality that is sweet and prim and as you look at her longer, you get to like her much more. Bea is very much like that during the press presentation. She was stunning in her bikini. She was styled appropriately and thus she was shining through.

Pauline Quintas dropped in our likeability ratings. Well this is probably due to the fact that her previous outings show her in unsightly pictures. Pauline was styled differently during the press presentation and she looked different. But her long legs and her shapely stature are still her gems that made her still in our Top 10 choices.

Mariel De Leon despite her imperfections put up a good front. She was lively, bubbly and effervescent during the press presentation. Will she go the way of Janine Tugonon who was chastised by fans during pageants days last year? After her great performance in the Miss Universe 2012, the fans went into a 360 degree turn and started loving her. Will she exert that effort and come out a well-sculpted candidate ready for an international outing?

Hannah Sison was majestically beautiful. She was an epitome of grace and royalty.

Parul Shah has this haughty demeanor but because of this she becomes an enigma. She therefore commands the interest of the pageant fans because of this character. She exudes the exotic charisma of a mixed race Filipina.

Vania Valiry Vispo went up in our ratings for being consistent. She is tall, beautiful and graceful. Her appeal does not seem to be encompassing though. Some like her. Some do not.

Merry Joyce Respicio is her usual self. She showed calmness, swift but calculated movements and awe-inspiring presence.

Zandra Flores seemed overpowered by the great presence of others. I was really wondering about this since in previous outings, Zandra has stood her ground against the others. Will she be able to recoup her luster and enter the winning circle come pageant night?

Aiyana Mikiwiecz looks poised and self-assured. But one of her problems is how she can get her presence felt among the other taller beauties that are being molded and aspiring for the Bb. Pilipinas-International title. Aiyana reminds me of another Northern Luzon beauty Miss Eumee Reiter. She joined the Bb. Pilipinas but was not lucky enough. She later joined the Mutya ng Pilipinas and she won the title Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism.

Maria Sofia Gloria Mustonen plummeted in her ranks. Many pageant fans are ambivalent about her beauty. Maria is beautiful enough but some pageant fans may not be very comfortable of seeing someone who is quite muscular. Her being a sportswoman made this so. But I praise Maria for showing another aspect of woman in this case.

Carin Adrianne Ramos was cobbled by praises to the more popular candidates during the press presentation but I believe to the discerning eye, Carin will make a mark in this very competitive edition of the Bb. Pilipinas.

Cindy Miranda despite her being facially beautiful does not create too much buzz among pageant fans. I really do not understand it. Some says she’s boring. It may just be the reason.

Cassandra Naidas is neither here nor there. She’s tall and pretty but like Carin and Cindy, they do not get the attention of rabid pageant fans.

Merce Grace Raquel entered our Top 20 list for the first time. She is evolving to be a likeable candidate.

There were other candidates of note but did not get the interest of our pageant paparazzi. Of note are Ara Arida, Katherine Ann Enriquez, Christine Paula Bernasor, Theresa Marie Fenger and Krisma Pascual.

QUEENTESSENCE’ TAKE ON THE BINIBINING PILIPINAS CANDIDATES (SERIES 2 OF 5)

Candidates 11-20

By Arden Bautista

As we enter into this set of candidates we are now confronted with at least six candidates who are worthy contenders to a crown. Their pageant pedigree are also impressive, hence, I have this suspicion that it is in this group that some of the winning candidates will come from.

Candidate Number 11 is Anna Carmina Antonio who hails from Isabela and she is the girl with Magic. In the recent talent competition she performed some magical tricks in front of the adoring crowd. She was Miss Philippines Youth Tourism in 1998.

Candidate Number 12 is Camille Carla Nazar is a 23 year old young lady from San Miguel, Bulacan. As one promo picture for her says, she is a farmer pursuing to be an educator but dreaming to be a beauty queen. Camille is one of the winners of the Miss Bulacan contest. Will she be triumphant in her quest for a crown in the national stage?

Candidate Number 13 is Charmaine Elima. Charmaine is 20 years of age and stands 5’7” and has tucked different titles to her resume. She is a dusky beauty who is presently in the Dean’s List of her school. Will her beauty and cerebral attributes work for her in this contest?

Candidate Number 14 is Mary Rose Pujanes and is the former Miss Batangas 2011. She hails from Sto. Tomas, Batangas and is attending the First Asia Institure Technology and Humanities School.

Candidate Number 15 is Pia Wurtzbach. Pia is well-known to everyone as she is an ABS-CBN talent. But her acting career is sidetracked at the moment as she sets her eyes to a beauty crown from the Binibining Pilipinas. With Pia’s stature and repartee, she is said to be a cinch for the bb. Pilipinas-International crown. But as I watched an interview by Mario Dumaual, she is very tentative in her answers and that she chokes every once in awhile during her responses. She should learn to communicate her thoughts better as this might be her stumbling block to her quest for a crown.

Candidate Number 16 is Joanna Cindy Miranda. Cindy is 23 years old and is from Rizal, Nueva Ecija and has attended the University of Sto. Tomas College of Tourism and Hospitality Management and graduated as Cum Laude. Cindy is one of the celebrity beauties gracing this 2013 edition of the pageant. She gave up hosting in order to be in this pageant. She had been a participant in numerous pageant competitions in the past as well as part of the PBB Unlimited edition as a housemate. She was however evicted after 22 days in the house of Pinoy Big Brother. Being in the mold of a beautiful and intelligent candidate, she might be one of those that might enter the Top 15.

Candidate Number 17 is Carin Adrianne Ramos. Carin was looker in last Saturday’s talent competition. She wowed the pageant fans with her sweet beautiful and charming demeanor. Carin is 24 years old and is from San Pedro, Laguna. Carin is a registered nurse who quit her job just to fulfill her dream to participate in the Bb. Pilipinas Beauty Pageant.

Candidate Number 18 is Christine Paula Love Bernasor. She is 25 years old and hails from Ormoc City. She is also a registered nurse who on the side does modeling jobs. She is also an art, music, nature and food lover. She is presently however into sales  and marketing. 

Candidate Number 19 is Hannah Ruth Sison who is 23 years old and hails from Carmen, Rosales, Pangasinan. She is a graduate of DLSU-College of St. Benilde and is a part-time faculty in the institution on graphic arts and multimedia.

Candidate Number 20 is Bea Rose Santiago. She is 20 years old and is a certified jetsetter who is well-travelled around the globe. She was raised in Canada but came back to fulfill a dream, that is to represent the Philippines in an international beauty competition. With a towering height and ability to communicate well, Bea a look-alike of Amelia Vega is out to sweat it out for a crown in this years’ pageant edition. 

From this batch of candidates we have Candidates Number 13, 15, 17, and 20 are looming candidates to enter the semifinal round. However Candidate Number 14 and 19 are bubbling up. 

Just to recap, from the first ten 10 candidates we have, Candidates 1, 3 and 5 to include with the present candidates. Bubbling up candidates would be Candidates Number 2, 14 and 19.