Which Cebu beauties will screen for Bb. Pilipinas 2017?

CEBU, Philippines - Learning from last month’s disappointing placement at Miss Universe, Filipino pageant experts, enthusiasts and fanatics come together eagle-eyed to closely follow this year’s Binibining Pilipinas edition.

They insist that judges should choose the woman who has more intelligence than beauty to represent the Philippines in the gathering of the most beautiful women in the universe – arguing that intelligence makes a woman 100 percent beautiful.

Bb. Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI) has set today the deadline of submission of applications for this year’s pageant. While waiting for the announcement of the official list, Internet forums have been abuzz about possible candidates.

Among those being hotly talked about are the possible bets of the Queen City of the South. Cebu has been considered a pageant powerhouse in the Philippines having produced national title holders in the likes of Bb. Pilipinas World 2004 Maria Karla Bautista (who finished fourth runner-up at Miss World that same year), Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1967 Pilar Delilah Pilapil, Bb. Pilipinas International 1996 Yedda Marie Mendoza Kittilstvedt, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014 Kris Tiffany Janson (Miss Intercontinental 2014 second runner-up), and Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2015 Rogelie Catacutan (Miss Supranational 2015 Top 20), to name a few.

Top pageant blogger and industry insider Norman Tinio mentioned two of Cebu’s possible candidates: Gazini Ganados and Cynthia Thomalla.

Gazini is no pageant newbie. Some of the contests she previously joined were Miss World Philippines 2014, Reyna ng Aliwan 2015 (where she won second runner-up) and Miss Pearl of the Philippines 2016.

In his blog post on Normannorman.com, Tinio had this to say about Gazini: “Her arresting looks are more than eye-candy quality. She has the glow that displays versatility in photographs and an aura that can be globally appreciated.”

Tinio and his colleagues hope to see Gazini at the Araneta Coliseum during this year’s Bb. Pilipinas coronation night.

Another possible candidate, Cynthia Thomalla – a Southern Leyte native who has made Cebu her home these past few years – has already gathered several titles for herself such as Miss Pintados 2013, Sinulog Festival Queen 2016 and Reyna ng Aliwan 2016.

“Cynthia is sweetness overload, especially if you get to spend time to getting to know her more. There is an infectious quality in the kind of beauty she possesses – part showbiz pop idol, part inspiring girl-next door,” notes Tinio.

“If and when she takes part in Bb. Pilipinas 2017, she could be a frontrunner as one of the outstanding faces in this batch,” he adds.

Meanwhile, the Internet forum “Beauty Pageants in the Philippines” said that another Cebuana, Steffi Rose Aberasturi might also join Bb. Pilipinas (The University of San Carlos student has told The Freeman she is not joining this year.-Ed). Under the tutelage of the Kagandahang Flores camp, 21-year-old Steffi’s pageant haul include Miss Mandaue 2013, Reyna ng Aliwan 2014 and Miss Beauche International 2015.

Steffi is among the beauty queens whose face photographers love because no matter what the pose is, they cannot find any bad angle on her. With her confidence and beauty, she can easily win any of the Binibini crowns.

On several message boards – other than Gazini, Cynthia and Steffi – netizens said they also want to see other Cebuana ladies such as Sinulog Festival Queen 2015 Julienne Hazel Penserga (who is representing the Sinulog Festival at Reyna ng Aliwan 2017 this April), Miss Cebu 2016 Gabriele Raine Baljak and Crystal Aberasturi (Steffi’s elder sister) join Binibini.

Will any of the above-mentioned show up today or the next few days at the Bb. Pilipinas screenings?

This year’s pageant is expected to be more star-studded than previous editions as current TV personalities and daughters of prominent actors are eyed as possible candidates.

Mariel de Leon (daughter of Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong), Teresita Wynwyn Marquez (daughter of Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno), Michelle Marquez Dee (daughter of Miss International 1973 Melanie Marquez), and Filipino-Australian model Chanel Olive-Thomas are among the popular names that trended on social media conversations.

Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 2 runner-up Katarina Rodriguez and Miss Earth-Air 2012 and New Placenta endorser Stephany Stefanowitz are also among those  expected to join.  (FREEMAN)