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| Binibini No. 30 Joy Marie Gangan. |
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| Binibini No. 2 Mary Ainjely Manalo & Binibini No. 11 Laura Lehman. |
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| Binibini No. 5 Hannah dela Guerra. |
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| Binibini No. 1 Julian Aurine Flores. |
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| Binibini No. 12 Sarah Asido and Binibini No. 40. Vessica Sambo (right). |
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| Candidate No. 6 Anabelle Christine Tia and candidate No. 31 Angelique de Leon. |
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| Binibini No. 35 Yvette Santiago. |
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| Binibini No. 4 Parul Shah. |
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| 2010 Miss Universe fourth runner-up Ma. Venus Raj. Up to now, hindi pa rin nag-babago. Magiliw pa rin sa mga mediamen. That night I asked her to sign my ticket of the 2010 Bb. Pilipinas beauty contest. Mangiyak-ngiyak sa tuwa si Venus and gusto n'yang hingin 'yung ticket. I told her it's a souvenir from 2010. She said: "Buti ka pa may ticket ka pa nito. Akin na lang!" Tumawa na lang ako. After my solo pic with her, she told me "hahanapin talaga kita dahil sa ticket na yan!" |
Last year's first runner-up and this year's Binibini No. 8 Pia Alonzo Wurtsbach.
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| 2013 Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Ariella Arida. |
'Twas a night of beauty and glamour! For 30 minutes, 18 of the 40 candidates of this year's Bb. Pilipinas contest in their national costumes took part in a special fashion show sponsored by ABS-CBN, major broadcast partner of the 2014 Bb. Pilipinas pageant.
Of course, everyone was so excited because of the presence of two important guests --- reigning Miss Universe Maria Gabriela Isler and the President of the Miss Universe Organization Paula Schugart.
The fashion show lasted for 30 minutes. And in one hour, the show's over. To be honest, members of the print media were not really invited in the event. But with some luck and charm, Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications, allowed us to enter the event. Mukhang naawa sa amin! He He He He He! Just the same our sincerest thanks to Mr. Osorio for the special consideration. God bless you, sir!
My friends from the print media --- Mel, Celso, of the Philippines Star and Eton, of The Manila Standard, had a field day talking and taking pictures with some of the front-runners for this year's Bb. Pilipinas. "Grabe ang gaganda talaga nila that night!" Well, they had to, because we had a feeling that some of the candidates were being judged na by Paula and Gabriela. Incidentally, Gabriela or Molly, she is called by her friends, is one of the judges of Bb. Pilipinas. Medyo tired and antok na ako when these photos were taken because earlier that day, as in early in the morning around 2 a.m. Thursday (March 27), we covered the arrival of Gabriela. She was expected to arrive around 4 a.m. but her plane touched down at the airport 11 a.m. Seven hours delayed! Despite the long flight, maganda pa rin si Molly and she's so nice. Ang tangkad! While we were talking to her, naka-tingala na kami.
At Sofitel, after the event, Gabriela was still beautiful! Sa tutoo lang, she is stunning in person. Pero sayang hindi kami naka-kuha ng photos with her. The security men were strict. Feeling namin gusto rin ni Gabriela mag-pakuha ng pics with us pero she just told us...."Hi guys! See you soon....I'll see you around ..bye!" Then she just gave us a big smile and went to her suite. When she arrived at the airport, her hair was straight, pero sa fashion show, curly na ang style ng hair n'ya....Here are some of the memorable Binibinis and personalities we met during the gala fashion show. Again, special thanks to Celso Caparas of the Philippine Star and Eton Concepcion of The Manila Standard. Enjoy!
Miss Universe Organization President Paula Schugart. 'Before she posed with us, talagang binaba pa nya ang bag n'ya at nilagay somewhere. Kaso tinawag sya sa loob and nag-excuse muna sa group. We thought hindi na sya babalik pero she did. And nakipag-pose sa amin. Obviously, she will attend the Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant on March 30. Ano kaya ang reaction nya kapag nakita nya ang loob ng Araneta Coliseum na sobra ang hiyawan at sigawan during the coronation night? Kung nanonood tayo sa TV akala natin sobrang behave ang mga tao sa Araneta Coliseum. But it's the other way around. It's like watching a boxing bout or a basketball finals. Only in the Philippines! Ma-shock kaya sila Paula and Gabriela Isler? Abangan.....
Chair of Araneta Group Jorge Araneta. The guy is so mabait and very dignified-looking. Walang air of arrogance or kayabangan. Very, very simple and humble. Nakikipag-biruan pa s'ya sa mga mediamen na nasa event. Nice meeting you Mr. Araneta!
1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran. Walang kakupas-kupas! Other winners of Miss Universe have changed physically over the years, pero Ms. Margie has remained beautiful and radiant. The time we met her, she was so happy to discuss with us the developments in Mindanao.
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2013 Miss International Bea Rose Santiago. One of my favorite beauty queens because she speaks well and super ganda!
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