IT’S the time of the year again when the Philippines crowns its new set of queens that will represent the country in the international beauty pageant stage.
Forty ladies will compete tonight for Binibining Pilipinas 2018 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Considered the grandest pageant in the country, Binibining Pilipinas will crown winners who will represent the Philippines in the following pageants:
Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Intercontinetal, Miss Globe, Miss Grand International, and Miss Supranational pageants.
Having won several titles in the past years, the Philippines is now considered a powerhouse in the international beauty pageantr scene.
Last year, the Filipinas who wore the sash of the Philippines were Miss Universe top 10 finalist Rachel Peters, Binibining Pilipinas International Mariel de Leon, Miss Intercontinental first runner up Katarina Rodriguez, Miss Globe first runner up Nelda Ibe, Miss Grand International second runner up Elizabeth Clenci, and Miss Supranational top 10 finalist Chanel Olive Thomas.
Of these six queens, Clenci who hails from Mandaue City was the only Cebuana who won a crown.
This year, Cebu has four representatives, namely Muriel Orais (Binibini 3), Ena Louis Velasco (Binibini 23), Wynonah Buot (Binibini 26), and Eva Psychee Patalinjug (Binibini 32).
Cebu Daily News interviewed some personalities in the industry on their Binibining Pilipinas 2018 top picks.
For Rabie Ian Pogoy, talent manager and owner of Shutter Models modelling agency, his top choice for the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title is Binibini 20 Catriona Gray
Gray, who has already proven herself being named top five finalist in Miss World 2016, has been considered as one of the frontrunners in Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant.
“She is the complete package. A true beauty with a purpose and a heart. She is above the rest. She is exceptional,” Pogoy told Cebu Daily News.
He said his second choice for the Binobining Pilipinas Universe title is Binibini 31 Jehza Mae Huelar, who finished second runner-up in 2016.
Binibini 35 Sandra Lemonon, a 23-year-old bartender from Pasig City has the chance to win the Binibining Pilipinas International title, Pogoy added.
“Simply gorgeous! She has the face, beauty and stage presence,” he said.
His bet for the Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental crown is Cebu representative, Binibini 23 Ena Velasco.
“She might be the biggest surprise during the coronation night. She is a stunner. Slowly, she is gaining her momentum,” Pogoy said.
Others on his list are Binibini 19 Michelle Gumabao for Binibining Pilipinas Supranational, and Binibini 11 Maria Andrea Abesamis.
For Miss Grand International, he sees a close fight between Cebuana beauty queen Patalinjug and Huelar.
Just like Pogoy, Sven Chua, manager and owner of Origin Model and Artist Management, also believes that Gray could be the country’s next representative to the Miss Universe pageant.
“She came prepared this year. Her beauty, height and brains are a total package. Her talent in singing is a plus point. She is on the top of my list,” he said.
Other candidates on his list are Abesamis, Gumabao, Lemonon, and Binibini 38 Karen Gallman.
Former Binibining Pilipinas 2016 finalist and Binibining Cebu 2017 Apriel Smith believes that
Cebuana beauties Patalinjug and Buot could clinch one of the titles.
“Because she (Patalinjug) has the advantage of being Mutya ng Pilipinas and there are chances for her to have a crown,” Smith said.
A Law student from Lapu-Lapu City, Patalinjug was hailed as Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2014.
“She (Buot) is very prepared. In every portion, she is very well managed and she is very natural on stage,” Smith added.
Buot is a Mass Communication graduate from the University of the Philippines Cebu. She won the Miss Cebu title in 2015.
Smith’s other choices are Gray, Abesamis, and Binibini 21 Ahtisa Manalo.
Binibining Pilipinas 2016 candidate and Binibining Cebu Charity 2017 Maria Gigante also gave CDN her list of potential winners. Included are Buot, Gumabao, Gray, Abesamis, and Manalo.
“They are simply killing it. My predictions were different at the beginning of the competition but these women not only came strong, they also pulled through,” Gigante said.
