TOP PICKS – Beauty expert Jay P. Delgado, as always, updates Highspeed on the beauty pageant scene.
On Sunday, April 30, at the big Dome, 40 beauteous and empowered young women from all over the country will battle it out at the grand finale of the 54th Binibining Pilipinas Pageant.
The girls are all hoping to be crowned queen and represent the country in prestigious international tilts like Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Grand International, Miss Supranational, Miss Inter-continental, and Miss Globe.
Highspeed has picked 14 ladies who will most likely advance to the next rounds and win the coveted titles. They are:
• Binibini 18 Nelda Cunanan Ibe, 24, 5’8”, from Tarlac City. Nelda has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Tarlac State University and is currently a cadet pilot. She was Miss World Philippines 2014 2nd Princess.
• Binibini 19 Rachel Obregon Peters, 25, 5’8”, from Camarines Sur. A British-Filipina, Rachel completed her International Baccalaureate at the British School in Phuket, Thailand and has a Bachelor of Business, Tourism and Events major from La Trobe University in Australia. She was Miss World Philippines 2014 4th Princess.
• Binibini 13 Sirene Sutton, 23, 5’8”, from Las Piñas City. She is a Marketing Management graduate at Southville International College. She is a professional ramp model; she won as Miss Global Philippines 2014 1st runner-up.
• Binibini 15 Ma. Angelica Andolong de Leon, 23, 5’8”, from Las Piñas City. The daughter of actors Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong, Mariel finished high school at Southville International School, moved to New Zealand for a cooking course. Mariel was a semi-finalist at the 50th Bb. Pilipinas in 2013.
• Binibini 26 Ruffa Nava, 24 5’8”, from Iloilo City. The breadwinner of her family, Ruffa is a high school graduate and professional model. She competed at the 2014 Miss World Philippines pageant.
• Binibini 32 Charmaine Francisco Elima, 24, 5’6”, from Binangonan, Rizal. Charmaine graduated cum laude with an International Hospitality Management degree from Siena College, and has been working as a flight attendant at Philippine Airlines. She was a semi-finalist at the 2013 Bb. Pilipinas tilt.
• Binibini 10 Jehza Mae Sotillo Huelar, 22, 5’6” from Davao City. Jehza was an ambassador of Maharlika Sports in Davao City, took part in the activities of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) and now the ambassador of FAP Mindanao Chapter. She was last year’s Bb. Pilipinas 2nd runner-up.
• Binibini 2 Arienne Louise Brago Calingo, 24, 5’5”, from Angeles City. She graduated with honors at Georgetown University in Washington DC. She can speak Arabic, colloquial Egyptian, Spanish, Thai, Filipino and English. She was Miss World Philippines 1st Princess last year.
• Binibini 12 Angelique Celine Lorenzo de Leon, 26, 5’7”, from Mandaluyong City. The general manager for a corporate image company, Angelique was 180 pounds with a 33-inch waistline before joining Bb. Pilipinas for the second straight time this year.
• Binibini 20 Christagale Borja, 26, 5’9”, from Samar. Christa graduated with first class honors from St. Mary’s University in London and has worked as a fashion merchandiser for a top fashion boutique.
• Binibini 22 Chanel Olive Villamayor Thomas, 26, 5’8”, from San Antonio Nueva Ecija. Chanel, a half-Australian who was Miss Philippines Earth-Air 2015, has a Certificate III in Business Administration, Certificate IV in Fitness and is a model, host and aspiring motivational speaker.
• Binibini 30 Mae Liezel Jaucian Ramos, 26, 5’7”, from Naga City. She is a licensed nurse from Ateneo De Naga University and a volunteer for an HIV organization. She is on her third and final attempt in Bb. Pilipinas.
• Binibini 31 Katarina Sonja Rodriguez, 24, 5’5”, from Davao City. Katarina has a double major of Business Management and Philosophy from De La Salle University, and has been a model, cycling instructor, and a competitive long distance runner.
• Binibini 39 Elizabeth Dorado Clenci, 26, 5’6”, from Mandaue City. A Filipino-Romanian who was born in Canberra, Australia, Elizabeth is a full time session bassist for three years now. (Jay P. Delgado)