It’s a truth only known in the Philippines that we demand more from our beauty queens than we do from our politicians. The Binibinis must be perfect in all aspects, and any perceived flaw means that they’re not worthy of a crown.
On finals night of the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 pageant, fans ferociously cheered for the women in the swimsuit round as they flaunted their toned physiques, and clapped furiously as they showcased the finest haute couture by Filipino designers during the evening-gown competition.
But then came the question-and-answer round. It was, the snotty ones deemed from their ivory towers, a bloodbath. It was the make-or-break moment, as this batch had several beautiful, accomplished candidates, and intelligence was the only measurable way to separate the winners from the wannabes. And yet, most of the front-runners gave lackluster replies.
VICKIE/VICTORIOUS
Binibining Negros Occidental Vickie Marie Rushton, after snaring the lion’s share of sponsors’ awards, was the surest bet to clinch a title. When asked by actor Daniel Padilla, “Why is mental health as important as physical health,” she fumbled. Yet fans held out hope that she might pull a Dindi Gallardo, who also lost her bearings but won as Binibining Pilipinas Universe in 1993.
Vickie, alas, wasn’t as victorious this time. But she will be victorious when she pursues a showbiz career. Her beautiful face is made for the screen big and small. This woman will be all right.
QUEENS EVERYWHERE
Leren Mae Bautista, Binibining Laguna and newly minted Binibining Pilipinas Globe, has already represented the Philippines at Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International, where she won in 2015, the same year that Ann Lorraine Colis became our first Miss Globe.
Emma Mary Tiglao, the statuesque Capampangan, is a beauty-contest veteran. She has run the gamut—Mutya, Miss World Philippines, minor tilts—that she has paid her pageant dues and was overdue for a crown. Our Karen Gallman is the reigning queen. A back-to-back only happened once, in 1992 (Susanne Petry) and 1993 (Verona Feldbusch), by Germany. The mighty Emma might just pull a win for the Philippines again.
Samantha Ashley Lo, Binibining Cebu City, gave an astonishing performance that she grabbed the Binibining Pilipinas Grand International title. It remains the only global crown we have yet to win and the Cebuana beauty is up to the challenge. At the pre-pageant “Free Speak” and on the finals night’s Q&A, she exuded that “authenticity” that reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray was looking for.
ARABIAN NIGHTS
When MJ Lastimosa sauntered onstage to give out a special award, the audience gasped. The Miss Universe 2014 Top 10 wore a Gucci/Riyo Mori-inspired red and purple suit sans blouse. The daring ensemble by Jaz Cerezo stood out amid a gazillion gowns and set off the half-Arab bombshell’s sensuousness.
Another winning Binibini with Arabian blood is Resham Ramirez Saeed, who demolished every prediction and every forecast when she emerged as Binibining Pilipinas Supranational. The Canada-raised, half-Pakistani from Maguindanao is charming, articulate and engaging. She’s the second Muslim woman to win a major title, after Binibining Pilipinas World 1995 Reham Snow Tago.
Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Christiana Ganados—Binibining Talisay, Cebu—has a Palestinian for a father, just like supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid. I think Gazini is the first woman of Palestinian descent to compete for the Miss Universe title. She has never met her father, though, having been raised by her mother and her maternal grandparents, so she’s not steeped in his culture. Palestine and Israel being in constant conflict, I hope it wouldn’t be an issue come competition time with Miss Israel Sella Sharlin.
BEA PATRICIA/ANGELINA/AMAL
On paper, Binibining Bataan Bea Patricia Magtanong is the most sensible choice to send to the Miss Universe competition. She’s the first lawyer to ever compete, and she could have gone toe-to-toe with Miss USA, another attorney. Patch is the complete package—slender, brilliant, determined. But so were fellow UP grads Elizabeth de Padua (1976), Zorayda Ruth Andam (2001), Lia Andrea Ramos (2006) and Anna Theresa Licaros (2007), who all came home crown-less.
For her final question, Patch was asked which global influential she would like to meet, and she cited Oscar winner and UN ambassador Angelina Jolie. I would have been ecstatic had Patch chosen instead Amal Alamuddin Clooney, the Lebanese-British barrister who has worked at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and has represented some high-profile clients. Her husband is the Oscar-winner George. But I’m just nitpicking. Patch is on track to win our seventh Miss International title.
FROM PILAR PILAPIL TO GAZINI GANADOS
The Queen City of the South has produced her fair share of beauty queens. But the surprise realization is that Cebu, the province, has only produced Pilar Pilapil, Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1967, before Gazini Ganados won the same title.
Though the Caucasian mestizas fell by the wayside during the finals, Gazini, a half-Palestinian, is still being pestered if she’s Filipina enough. It’s ridiculous to demand that a “pure Filipina” represent the Philippines because there is no such creature.
Consider these women who will compete with Gazini for Catriona Gray’s crown: Miss France Vaimalama Chaves, a French Polynesian from Tahiti with Wallisian, Portuguese and Irish ancestry; half-British Puteri Indonesia Frederika Alexis Cull; half-American Miss Puerto Rico Madison Anderson; Spanish-descended Miss Belgium Elena Castro Suarez, who succeeded Filipino-Belgian Angeline Flor Pua; and Polish-African American Miss USA Cheslie Kryst.
I knew that Gazini would be unstoppable when, at the start of the long gown portion when all candidates paraded onstage, she emerged in a fuchsia sculptural confection by Cary Santiago. She practically smoldered. And she gave a satisfactory answer in the Q&A, though her communication skills leave room for vast improvement.
What excites pageant watchers and fashion insiders alike, however, is the upcoming debut of Santiago on the Miss Universe stage as he is assumed to be Gazini’s gown designer. His best friends Albert Andrada, Michael Cinco and Val Taguba have already done it and Santiago is ready to do so. But, unassuming that he is, he will also heed his wish for Gazini: “Just enjoy the moment, win or lose.”