The Morning After

Bb. Pilipinas 2021 virtual press conference highlights

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The day after the grand coronation night, BPCI gathered the newly-crowned Binibining Pilipinas 2021 queens in a virtual forum to answer queries on their respective journeys, during and after the pageant.

BPCI officer Gines Enriquez served as the colloquium's moderator. The mid-afternoon broadcast started with vignettes from the coronation rites. He then asked the girls, one by one, if they have seen the final show in its entirety.

"I've seen some portions of the show the morning after. Everything happened so fast. I wanted to see how I did in the swimsuit round 'coz I won Best in Swimsuit," shared 2nd runner-up Meiji Cruz.

First runner-up placer Gabrielle Basiano said she saw the show from the beginning. "I wanted to see what we prepared for. My favorite portion was the Evening Gown competition 'coz I won Best in Gown."

Bb. Pilipinas Globe winner Maureen Montagne watched the show with half of her Binibini sisters. "We had a watch party, enjoying it with chocolates and popcorn. It was nice witnessing the fun and charming moments."

Bb. Pilipinas International winner Hannah Arnold revealed that she only saw the fan edits and the opening number, while Bb. Pilipinas Grand International winner Samantha Panlilio confessed that her favorite part was the production number. She added she only saw clips of the show and has to watch it still.

Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental winner Cinderella Faye Obeñita was then asked about her Q & A answer, especially with the phrase "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." The Cagayan de Oro beauty went on to say she liked that her reply made an impact. "I was talking about different levels of comfort - like people in power and people in business institutions. It meant really helping the marginalized communities. Let's shake up the status quo. If we have resources, we can leave an impact on them. We're knocking on the hearts of the privileged - let's give back, share it and have a meaningful life by helping the underprivileged.

Enriquez then asked the girls how they felt prior to answering their final question.

Meiji said she was relaxed at first but when she realized people were listening to her, that's when she felt the nervousness and the pressure. "But I was glad I finished answering the question."

In the previous Binibini edition, a semifinalist buckled when asked about the government's Build, Build, Build program.

Gabrielle said she was looking at something black so she won't be distracted while Samantha stated that she zoomed everything out so she'll stay calm. She added that she was looking at the judges because it gave her comfort, knowing that someone was listening to what she was saying.

Maureen shared that she was listening to everyone's questions to see if they're difficult or tricky, and answered them in her head. "They say the best answers are the most honest ones. So I listened to my gut instincts and answered like I was just talking to a friend"

Hannah said she was looking for water as she was afraid to lose her voice when her turn came. She was praying for a question where she can deliver a message of hope.

The girls were then asked what they would tell a person who was hesitant to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Cindy shared that she got her second dose an hour before the broadcast and showed the bandage covering the jab point. "I thank BPCI for thinking about the safety of the ladies and the safety of the staff. It is important to be vaccinated and be part of the process because it is the only way to get out of this pandemic.

"For those who are hesitant, we need to find out why. We need to amplify and expand our efforts to roll out information and educational campaigns. This boils down to efforts of local government units (LGUs), the Department of Health (DoH), and all non-government organizations (NGOs) to really strengthen their info campaign," enthused CDO's outstanding tourism officer and staunch cervical cancer advocate.

Samantha said that she would tell that person that getting vaccinated is important. "We are trying to achieve herd immunity as a nation. If you get yourself protected, you also protect others around you. This is therefore an act of kindness."

Meiji shared that she started with her family and friends because she knew they were hesitant. "It's because of the possible side effects. But I told them that protection is higher than the risks. It is only through vaccination that we can achieve population immunity.

Hannah said that as a scientist she needed to explain that history has shown us the efficacy of vaccines. "I won't force anyone to get inoculated. But I want to show that if you and me are vaccinated, we protect the community. If they're hesitant and scared, I will come and hold their hand while being vaccinated. I'm very willing to do that. Please do your research and believe in the science."

Gabrielle related that there are people who really prefer not to get vaxxed. But remember that the best vaccines are the ones available to us. It's the only way to go back to normal. Makakahinga na tayo ng maluwag pag naabot na natin yung herd immunity."

Maureen encourages everyone to get vaxxed because it is the next step in healing from the pandemic. "We're almost there, guys. And if we continue the protocols, I look forward to the day when we take off our masks and shields.

There were audio glitches all throughout the broadcast that some portions were garbled. Perhaps, the technical people did not expect to encounter the said problems during their dry runs.

Hannah, who is a graduate of Applied Science in Forensic Studies, thanked the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for acknowledging that we need science to curb another pandemic. She singled out the Invent Science Program in school's as her favorite among the agency's many projects. "There's a misconception that we are just pretty faces so I thank the DOST that they recognize we are women from invariably all backgrounds. We have a lot to bring to the table."

For her part, Samantha was asked what other place, aside from Cavite, could she apply her advocacy for sustainability. "In Bulacan, as I experienced farming there. It's making sure that communities with improvements - like a new airport facility -  continue their progress."

At the end of the presscon the queen's were asked how they'll go about preparing for their respective international competitions.

Maureen said that at this point, it is just a matter of elevating things with an extra. "I want to bring attention to Miss Globe and really have a signature look and walk like Catriona Gray's Lava Walk. We have the foundation, everything is set. Now, I'm eyeing for that cherry on top that will make everything explode or shine to its full potential. I'm happy to end my pageant career with BPCI, the gold standard of pageantry."

Cindy shared that it's preparations on her pasarela. "For us to get to the Q & A, we need to slay the swimsuit and gown competitions. I'll focus more on those aspects because preparations are better than hoping for a miracle on stage."

Samantha concurred by saying she'll also focus on her pasarela. "Miss Grand International is very bongga and all the girls walk like they're bon fire. And I wanna make sure that I am at par, and even more, when I go to Thailand."

Hannah said this will be the 60th Miss International edition. "And I want to celebrate the win of Madame Stella, as she was the first winner in 1960. I want to bring that with me on the international stage. I know I have a lot to improve on my pasarela, as I could be a little shy sometimes. So I need to be confident on that stage when I represent the Filipinos over in Japan."

Meiji, who will be undergoing her post-graduate studies, said that she'll utilize her advocacy in helping other people now that she has more reach, while Gabrielle, who confessed in an interview with Boy Abunda that this was the beginning of her pageant career, thanked everyone who believed in her, especially the people of Borongan. Tito Boy and Gabrielle hail from the same place in Eastern Samar.

In the days leading to the international finals of the respective titles, the Binibini queens will be busy training with their camps and coaches. Fans and followers will surely support our representatives when the final competitions unravel towards the end of the year, or, in some cases, in the first quarter of 2022.