Bicolana beauty takes Binibining Pilipinas top crown

MANILA, Philippines — The decisive question was from US Ambassador Sung Kim, chairman of the board of judges, who asked: “After the devastating war, Marawi is now on its way to recovery. What is your message to the young women of Marawi?”

Contestant No. 20 Catriona Gray’s quick answer helped her top the 2018 Binibining Pilipinas search held Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, beating 14 other semifinalists eyeing the six titles at stake.

“Thank you for that question,” replied Gray, 24, a fashion and commercial model and singer-composer from Albay, with grace. “My answer and my message to the women is to be strong. As women, we’re the head of the household and we have amazing influence not only in our families, as mothers, sisters and friends, but also in our community. If we could get the women to stay strong and be that image of strength for the children, then once the rebuilding is complete and is underway, the morale of the community will stay strong and high. Thank you.”

An obvious crowd favorite from the start, Gray clinched the coveted Miss Universe-Philippines crown that won her the right to represent the country in this year’s Miss Universe pageant, won for the third time in 2015 by Pia Wurtzbach who hosted the three-hour pageant with Richard Gutierrez, with 2016 Bb. Grand International Nicole Cordoves as co-host.

It was the second time to compete in a national pageant for Gray who, as Miss World Philippines, represented the country in the 2016 Miss World pageant held in the US where she was one of the top 5, won by Puerto Rico’s Stephanie del Valle.

The five other winners were: Maria Ahtisa Manalo, Bb. Pilipinas International, 20, an accountant from Candelaria, Quezon who in 2014 finished among the Top 10 in the Teen Miss Earth Philippines search, a 2016 Bb. Niyognyugan winner (the whole Quezon province) and 2016 Reyna ng Aliwan second runner-up.

Michele Theresa Gumabao, Bb. Pilipinas Globe, 25, a professional volleyball player, coach and host from Quezon City, daughter of actor and former QC representative Dennis Roldan.

Eva Psychee Patalinjug, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International, 23, a registered nurse and sophomore law student from Cebu City. She was a 2014 Miss Cebu first runner-up and 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific International winner.

Jehza Mae Huelar, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational, 23, a finance graduate from Davao City, who was second runner-up in the 2016 Bb. Pilipinas pageant.

Binibining Pilipinas 2018 winner Catriona Gray poses during the swimsuit portion of the pageant held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum the other night. Miguel De Guzman

Karen Julieta Gallman, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental, 25, from Bohol, who was a 2012 Bb. Pilipinas top 12 semifinalist.

Runners-up were: Vickie Rushton, first, 25, from Negros Occidental, 2011 Mutya ng Pilipinas International winner; and Samantha Mae Bernardo, second, 25, a model and hotel guest service officer from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The six title-holders each brings home, among other prizes, P500,000 management contract with Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), P25,000 cash and one year’s supply from Ever Bilena and a complete wardrobe from BPCI; while each of the runners-up gets P250,000 management contract with BPCI and a complete wardrobe, also from BPCI.

Gray won most of the special awards: Miss Ever Bilena, Pitoy Moreno Award for National Costume, Jag Denim Queen, Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown.

Other special awardees were: Patalinjug, Miss Photogenic; Marie Sherry Tormes, Miss Friendship and Best in Talent; Gumabao, Miss Cream Silk; Muriel Orais, Miss Philippine Airlines; and Bernard, Manila Bulletin Readers’ Choice Award.

The other judges were Alyssa Valdez, Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman, Mark Lopez, Ces Drilon, Ferdinand Ravena and Gerald Anderson, Wurtzbach’s leading man in Star Cinema’s My Perfect You.

Gray traces her roots to Bicol, being the daughter of Oas, Albay local Normita Magnayon. She follows the reign of Bicolano beauty queens Rachel Louise Peters and Maria Venus Raj, both from Camarines Sur. Peters passed on the crown to Gray.

“The upbringing of our Bicolano parents also influenced us a lot to value education, among other things, in life. We are always told ‘mag-adal kang marhay, mag-adal kang marhay’ (study hard, study hard),” Raj told The STAR in a phone interview.

She said Bicolano women are determined, just like any other Filipina. She said she had anticipated Gray to win the crown.

“I know Catriona is so determined to win. That’s why she won, indeed,” Raj said.

Raj named other Bicolano women who won in past national and international beauty pageants, including Melody Adelheid Gersbach, Ms. International 2009, top 15, from Albay; Jane Bañares, Mutya ng Pilipinas-International 2009 from Legazpi; Dianne Elaine Necio, Ms. International 2011, top 15, from Polangui, Albay; Bea Rose Santiago, Ms. International 2013, from Masbate; and Quigaman, Ms. International 2005 from Ligao City.

In 1999, Miriam Quiambao was crowned Ms. Universe-Philippines. Quiambao, from Bacacay, Albay placed 1st runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant in the same year.

Raj believes that more Bicolano beauties would make it in national and international competitions. – Cet Dematera