How Bb. Pilipinas bets will spend the pageant’s P1 million prize money
From Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival to Rizal Province’s rich artistic heritage-themed ensemble, the 40 candidates of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas displayed the creative creations of local designers at the pageant’s National Costume Competition, which took place last week at the New Frontier Theater.
The gorgeous bets also strutted the stage in their glamourous evening gowns as part of the preliminary activities.
At the end of show, five Binibinis were named the Top 5 Best Costume winners. They were Bb. 16, Myrea Caccam of Oriental Mindoro; Bb. 23, Joyce Anne Garduque of Quezon Province; Bb. 24, Monica Acuno of Kalayaan, Laguna; Bb. 31, Zianah Famy of Cavite; and Bb. 40, Myrna Esguerra of Abra.
According to the media release, Myrea’s white Filipiniana, which was designed by Michael Jayzon Dela Cruz, was inspired by Oriental Mindoro’s Naujan Lake and Dabalistihit Festival of Naujan.
Joyce Anne’s costume, on the other hand, was intricately crafted from various coconut products, showcasing her province’s agricultural heritage. It was made by Roy Aquino.
Monica, meanwhile, paid tribute to the farmers of her hometown, Kalayaan, by including a vibrant display of fresh fruits and vegetables arranged in a basket in her attire created by Patrick Isorena. Monica is a daughter of a farmer.
Zianah highlighted Cavite’s Kawayan Festival in her gown made from banig adorned with kawayan strip details, put together by Karl Balao.
Myrna, who is a crowd favorite, donned a Dulimaman masterpiece designed by Richard Strandz. It derived inspiration from the epic heroine of the Tinguian people of Abra.
The other Binibinis who presented their vibrant costumes as well to pay homage to the towns or provinces they represented were: Bb.1, Marikit Manaois of Baguio; Bb. 2, Corrine San Pedro of Taguig City; Bb. 3 Charisse Anthea Abanico of Lipa, Batangas; Bb. 4, Shaira Rona of Mandaluyong; Bb. 5, Nicklyn Jutay of Iloilo; Bb. 6, Kristin Baconawa of Quezon City; Bb. 7, Jasmin Denise Dingson of Biñan, Laguna; Bb. 8, Maria Abegail Jajalla of Camiguin; Bb. 9, Gracelle Distura of Lucena City; Bb.10, Christal Jean Dela Cruz of Zambales;
Bb.11, Kim De Luna of Caloocan; Bb. 12, Sheryl Velez of Buayang Bato, Mandaluyong; Bb. 13, Roella Frias Solis of Calumpit, Bulacan; Bb. 14, Vienne Feucht of Calamba, Laguna; Bb. 15, Shenny Sampang of Bukidnon; Bb. 17, Rendelle Caraig of Los Baños, Laguna; Bb. 18, Mythosela Villanueva of Misamis Oriental; Bb. 19, Liezle Jones of Ormoc City; Bb. 20, Shannen Manzano of General Santos City;
Bb. 21, Jasmin Bungay of Pampanga; Bb. 22, Tracy Mae Sunio of Bacolod; Bb. 25, Kara Villarosa of Negros Occidental; Bb. 26, Phoebe Godinez of Lapu-lapu City, Cebu; Bb. 27, Aleckxis Chuidian of Parañaque City; Bb. 28, Zeneth Khan of Isabela Province; Bb. 29, Roselyn Evardo of Manila; Bb. 30, Trisha Martinez of Pila, Laguna;
Bb. 32, Carmella Cuaresma of Aurora Province; Bb. 33, Erika Ballon of Pasig City; Bb. 34, Vera Dickinson of Tarlac Province; Bb. 35, Kylie Atilano of Zamboanga; Bb. 36, Samantha Acosta of Bulacan Province; Bb. 37, Trisha Hernandez of Tanauan, Batangas; Bb. 38, Geraldine Buenafe of Batangas City; and Bb. 39, Ma. Flordeliz Mabao of Rizal Province.
The Grand Parade of Beauties will be held at the Araneta City on Sunday, while the Grand Coronation of the 60th Binibining Pilipinas is happening on July 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Binibini queens Catriona Gray, Nicole Cordoves, MJ Lastimosa, and Kylie Versoza will serve as hosts. The performers will include Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, and SB19.
The current titleholders, Bb. Pilipinas International Angelica Lopez and Bb. Pilipinas Globe Anna Lakrini, will bestow the new crowns to their respective successors.
The new Bb. Pilipinas International and Bb. Pilipinas Globe titleholders will get P1M each, while the two runners-up will receive P400,000 each.
The STAR was able to ask some of the candidates how they were going to spend the P1M if ever they won the title and the prize money.
Baguio’s Marikit, a wealth manager, replied that she will invest it wisely.
“And of course, as I’ve said earlier, we (will) also give to our partnered charities,” she added. “I am partnered with my own charity in Baguio City as well, that is, Helping Hands. So probably a portion of it will go to them. And of course, as everybody knows I am the breadwinner of my family, so I would save my money and continue to allocate it in investible funds to create (and) and mas para kumita pa as I am sending my sister to a nursing school.”
Moreover, Pila, Laguna’s Trisha, a second-timer in Bb. Pilipinas competition, said that she will save the money for the international pageant. “I wanted to represent the Philippines on the international stage very, very well. And I will use (it) to fund my competition and also help the glam team around me (and) the people around me. I want to make a national costume that will really represent me and our country on the international stage.”
Buayang Bato, Mandaluyong’s Sheryl, on the other hand, will spend the money for her education, family’s future as well as help the street children and homeless people.
Tarlac Province’s Vera shared that she will allocate the money for her mom’s medical bills. “And then, I think one of my top priorities, of course, is my study. So a lot of money (will be spent on) my studies.”
Bulacan Province’s Samantha offered that she will “generously give it to the less (fortunate and) marginalized sector of our society” and treat her family and friends who have been with her since day one.
“I have an advocacy which is very close to my heart. I called this Harvesting Hope wherein hope means helping others. (It’s) empowerment. When I was seven years old, I celebrated my birthday in an orphanage,” she continued.
“And there was this one girl, a playmate of mine, who came up to me and said, ‘Pwede po ba akong sumama sa inyo because I want to have my family.’ And that ignited the fire within me, the burning passion to help others.”
Abra’s Myrna will share the prize money to the people who have supported her, she said.
“Going here in Bb. Pilipinas, I don’t have much financial savings. (So I will share it) with all the people (who helped me), especially my designer, my costume designer, he made this from the heart, without me giving him financial (money).
“And of course, I will also share it to the children of World Vision Philippines. I am already sponsoring a child. I was able to do that because of Bb. Pilipinas… and I plan to do that more with more children under World Vision Philippines.”
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