Grand Parade of Beauties

 Binibini candidates sizzle with the summer heat

By Earl D C. Bracamonte

In lieu of the annual Santacruzan parade, the forty official Binibining Pilipinas 2023 candidates donned identical floral-designed bikinis and sarong wraps, instead of sagala gowns, in this year's Grand Parade of Beauties around the Araneta City streets. Onlookers said that the parade was still 'blessed' because it drizzled before it started and rained right after the event.

Starting at the Novotel Manila driveway, the the parade turned right to Gen. McArthur Avenue before turning right along Edsa, fronting the Farmer's Market and Farmer's Plaza area. It then turned right along Aurora Boulevard, then entered Gen. Aguinaldo Avenue before turning left to Gen. McArthur Avenue, encircling Ali Mall, then heading for a roundabout at the Red Gate, en route to the Green Gate where the candidates converged for a short introduction and photo opp.

The Parade of Beauties is the last public activity of the candidates before the final show. Until then, the girls will be busy with rehearsals and last minute photo shoots and wardrobe fittings. Though not as grand as the previous year, the forty delegates still managed to gather a sizeable crowd along the parade's route.

Also gracing the late afternoon event were Binibining Pilipinas 2022 2nd runner-up Stacey Gabriel, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2022 Roberta Tamondong, Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez, Binibining Pilipinas InterContinental 2022 Gabrielle Basiano, and Binibining Pilipinas International 2022 Nicole Borromeo, who will represent the country in Tokyo, Japan this coming October.

To  be hosted by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss Grand International 2016 1st runner-up Nicole Cordoves, the 59th Binibining Pilipinas grand coronation night will unfold on Sunday, May 28, 9:30 pm at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Stay tuned!