Binibining Pilipinas 2014

Contest preliminaries begin

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

After formally presented to members of the media, this year’s batch of forty candidates have strutted their stuff at the Jag fashion show and National Costume Competition in the Big Dome last night.

The girls first showed their fit forms on the catwalk clad in sexy jeans and accessories from the Binibini collection. After which, they donned cultural-inspired dresses as they rocked the runway with their national costume choices. Binibini 30, Angelique de Leon, stood out with a hand-painted terno dress scribbled with names of popular places around Metro Manila. The winner of this category will be announced on the ABS-CBN primer telecast.

Among those who got the most applause and cheers during the show were last year’s 1^st runner-up Pia Wurtzbach, returnees Ladylyn Riva, Parul Shah, Diana Arevalo and MJ Lastimosa, as well as dark horse bets Emma Tiglao, Stephanie Henson, Nicole Manalo, Hannah Sison, Yvette Santiago, Edd Agustin, and Kenneth Santiago.

The fashion show was only one of the many exciting activities on the lead to the grand coronation night on March 30. The ladies will be launching their Swimsuit Photo Exhibit at the Gateway cinema lobby on March 15 and will be holding the much-awaited Parade of Beauties around the Araneta Center on March 22. The forty candidates will also take part in various charitable missions and outreach programs under BPCI and its partners.

Pageant aficionados are hotly anticipating who among the forty will follow the fabulous footsteps of last year’s winners: Bb. Pilipinas Tourism Cindy Miranda, Miss Supranational 2013 Mutya Johanna Datul, Miss Universe 3^rd Runner-up Ariella Arida, and Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago.

Catch the pageant primer, Road to the Crown, via ABS-CBN’s late night Sunday show on March 23^rd, the same day that reigning Miss Universe Gabriella Isler will arrive in the Philippines. She, together with Russian rock star Emin, will grace the contest’s final rites. The coronation night ceremonies will be beamed to a nationwide audience through the Kapamilya TV network on the same night. Check your local TV listings for time of airing.