What makes Slimmers Miss Bikini different?

MANILA, Philippines - Next to becoming an artista, a young girl dreams of becoming a beauty queen. Why do you think there is a proliferation of beauty pageants from the barangay level to the iconic Binibining Pilipinas? It is because it has been part of our culture through the decades with every neighborhood helping to equip the prettiest child to eventually become Reyna Elena at the Santacruzan someday.

We attended the media launch of Slimmers World Miss Bikini Philippines 2011, confronted by a bevy of 27 candidates while the TV and print media elbowed one another for the best spot in the house during the bikini portion, after which the photographers quickly disappeared. Pulchritude, after all, is what matters in a liberated and highly visual world.

So what was there to differentiate this pageant from the others? Of course there is their mission — The Binibining Pilipinas Charities for funding orphanages and the indigents of society; Miss Earth in institutionalizing environmental concerns; Slimmers Miss Bikini for health, fitness, and beauty. Otherwise, the methodology is all the same. Candidates move easily from one pageant to the next, until they reach their goal. We agree there is really nothing that can give one more confidence, derring-do, discipline, the qualities of patience and understanding than participation in a beauty pageant. It is a humbling process, difficult for the candidate as much as for the organizer.

Slimmers World has been the leader in the health and fitness department in Asia for 33 years. Our introduction to its philosophy came 10 years ago when Jackielou Blanco, our talent then, won the Ms. Great Bodies competition of Slimmers in 2001. She must have been among the first from showbiz then to join such a competition and her participation opened the doors to a whole lot of women and men (The Mr. Great Bodies component) to be conscious of healthy bodies. To this day, the Great Bodies competition remains attracting staunch supporters of the strong and beautiful (opposed to sexy?) bodies.

We turn to Michelle Sadiasa, Slimmers senior marketing and events executive for assistance to get an inside view of Miss Bikini. “Miss Bikini’s goal,” she says, “is to preach to the younger generation the importance of having a healthy and fit lifestyle.” And being slim, healthy, fit, and beautiful make one reach these goals. On the other hand, Great Bodies showcases the achievements of Slimmers World International, Michelle continues. Without her spelling it out, obviously beauty is not a big factor with Great Bodies. We guess Jackielou just happened to be beautiful which is why she stirred so much commotion.

Unique Fadul, No. 22,2010 winner Princess Angela Abella and April Jane Panugaling, No. 6

Candidates to Miss Bikini must be 18 to 25 years old, single, never married nor given birth, at least 5’6” in height, a Filipino citizen. Prize money is P500,000 in cash, and various other goodies from sponsors, plus the chance to represent the country in the Miss Bikini International pageant in China on August 2011. April 12’s coronation night at Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila will have finalists in National Costume, Long Gown, Talent Competition and Bikini category. If this will mean an end of stress for the aspirants, it will also end months of teaching discipline, values, respect for one another on the side of the trainers.

We sought out Cebuana Princess Angela Abella, nursing graduate and 2010 winner. She told us “Winning has changed my lifestyle. I was shy, not confident of my body. I have changed completely socially, mentally and physically.” However, having enjoyed the lessons taught by her year’s reign tremendously, she will join another pageant for another crack at representing the country abroad.

The girls are well aware of the challenges and intrigues that face them. Backtracking into Miss Bikini Philippines history, Michelle singles out several names involved in big and small challenges. Nadine Ignacio, purportedly Willie Revillame’s girlfriend and Erika Padilla were batchmates entering Miss Bikini Philippines 2008. Erika was No. 18, Nadine No. 19 and both guested in Wowowee where apparently the gossip started. It does seem credible that Willie gifted Nadine with a designer gown and pendant, and invited her family to stay overnight at his home in Tagaytay Highlands but nothing came of it.

Her batchmate Erika Padilla was luckier. An Ateneo political science graduate, she was among Metro Magazine’s Top 10 models, chosen Miss Photogenic at Miss Bikini, and now is Miriam in Imortal. 2009 Miss Bikini candidate Ella Castillo won Miss Global Teen Philippines in 2010, and is now part of The Price is Right.

Roxane Cabanero is the latest of the controversial dismissed contestants in the upcoming Binibining Pilipinas 2011 pageant. Nudity was the reason for their dismissal although Roxanne denied the charges. In 2009, this same Roxanne had joined Miss Bikini winning Miss Congeniality, reports Michelle.

After the media launch we found out that No. 7 candidate Lady Ruiz had fainted because she was not eating right (possibly dieting), coupled with lack of sleep and stress. The management wanted to terminate her for not living up to the Slimmer’s World philosophy. At press time, we found out from Michelle that management decided to give Lady another chance.

The present Miss Bikini competition has also dismissed two of its finalists, one for being underage at 15 years, and another for needing to leave the country during the finals. We ask Michelle then why they were so strict on age but seemed to ignore the height requirement of 5’6” with one we noticed at 5’4”. Michelle explains they give special consideration to those who are very qualified candidates.

We zeroed in on stunner No. 6 April Jane Panugaling from Cebu and asked her how she intended to improve herself in the coming days. She answered in what sounded like a memorized English spiel. We move on to statuesque 5’11” No. 22 Unique Fadul from Paete, Laguna who is joining Fashion Week this year. Both stammered through stilted English. Their faces brightened up when we asked if they would like to speak in Tagalog or Bisaya if they make it to the International competition. “Dapat maging proud tayo with what we have,” affirms Unique with April beaming wholeheartedly. “Siyempre gusto ko mag-Bisaya para I can express yung gusto ko at masabi ko ng tama.” Besides, clarifies Unique, they do have translators don’t they? This is exactly what we have felt strongly about for quite some time. If Slimmers World Miss Bikini Philippines 2011 manages to deliver her answers in a Filipino dialect this coming August, it would be an innovation of which every Filipino will be proud.

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