An opera singer, a cum laude graduate at Georgetown University, a veterinarian, and a student pilot were among the lucky girls who made the official cut of the 2017 Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant, during an announcement held at the Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City last Tuesday night.
They are: Ana Patricia Asturias, Leitz Camyll M. Ang, Jessica M. Ramirez, Dane Felisse R. Marasigan, Mae Lanie Chan, Arienne Louise Braga Calingo, Maria Gail Devora Tobes, Gabriela Patricia M. Ortega, Katarina Sonja A. Rodriguez, Joselle S. Mariano;
Kristi Rose D. Cequeña, Rachel Peters, Maria Camille P. Manalo, Jennyline Carla F. Malpaya, Vanessa N. Saliba, Juliana M. Kapeundl, Ma. Bejieleen T. Nama, Thoreen D. Halvosen, Sarah Jireh C. Asido, Arah A. Salientes;
Beatrice O. Valente, Mae Liezel J. Ramos, Larah Grace Lacap, Clarice Marion E. Villareal, Chanel Olive V. Thomas, Nelda C. Ibe, Christagale Borja, Ruffa Nava, Angelique Celine L. De Leon, Jamaica Elysse D. Ambal;
Karla May R. Manongsong, Dindi Joy Pajares, Kimberly L. Pajares, Maria Angelica A. De Leon, Sirene Sutton, Charmaine F. Elima, Jehza Mae Huelar, Elizabeth Durado Clenci, Kristel N. Guelos, and Sammie Anne L. Legaspi.
Prior to the selection of the 40 candidates, 95 girls applied for this year’s pageant. Then the girls were narrowed down to 55 candidates after a grueling screening at the Novotel in Cubao which started Monday afternoon and ended on Tuesday at 3 a.m. Then the 40 official candidates were finally announced last Tuesday night.
Some of the notable girls in this year’s batch are opera singer Angelica de Leon, daughter of actors Sandy Andolong and Christopher de Leon, who also studied Professional Cookery in New Zealand; and Chanel Olive Thomas, ex-girlfriend of actor Jake Cuenca, 1st runner-up Miss Philippines Earth 2015.
Dindi Joy Pajares, a pilot student in Lucban; Tobes, a veterinarian from Samar; and Rodriguez, 2nd runner-up, Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 2.
Calingo, who won 1st runner-up at Miss World Philippines pageant in 2016, is a cum laude graduate at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. She also speaks seven languages.
Netizens were shocked when Miss Philippines Earth 2012 Stephany Stefanowitz failed to crack the list of official candidates. The German-Filipino beauty queen later took to twitter her heartbreak. “If Miss Universe is open to accept candidates until they reach 28, why can’t our local pageants do the same?”
The coronation night of the 2017 Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on April 30.
Winners of the contest will represent the Philippines in prestigious pageants abroad namely Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Grand International and Miss Globe.