After her last minute application to the nationals, former Miss World Philippines and Miss World 2016 3rd runner-up Catriona Gray just sealed her status as the one to beat for the top plum in this year’s edition of the annual Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant.
Gray whose shocking exclusion from the Top 3 of the Miss World 2016 enraged many pageant fans allegedly prompting the then Miss World Philippines National Director Cory Quirino to give up the franchise of the pageant. Quirino even gave her blessings to Catriona should she endeavor to join the premier national pageant.
Catriona trending on Twitter upon submission of application! Now, that’s the star power!
As we wait for the announcement of the official candidates in the coming days, we’ll know more if Catriona will be able to maintain the momentum from here on up to the finals night. It’s inevitable that she’ll end up winning one of the six crowns at stake but her joining is also a risky move as there’s a possibility of being relegated to a lower-tier pageant assignment.
In any case, your blogger and I’m pretty sure the rest of the pageant fans around the world are tuned in on what’s about to tranpire in the coming months!
2017 has been an eventful year in the world of pageantry from the staging of the 65th Miss Universe pageant in Manila in January up to its homecoming in Las Vegas last November 26 and every minor and major pageants in between – it was whirlwind and almost chaotic for both pageant fans and pundits!
France took the Miss Universe crown ending its 63-year title drought.
Rachel Peters is one of the frontrunners during this year’s Binibining Pilipinas and she was faultless during the finals night leaving the rest of the contestants vying for the lesser crowns.
Miss Earth 2017 is the Philippines!
Philippines winning the crown thrice in four years was mired with criticisms of it being rigged but truth be told, in a world full of mere beauties – having the brains to boot is a novelty that will be rewarded, given the right time.
Venezuela’s Ninoska Vasquez overperformed.
Ninoska was touted to be one of the two strongest delegates for the crown. She was perfection all throughout the pre-pageant night activities but fell short with her stage-presence during the finals. Rather, she may have done it a bit too much that left the judges uncomfortable?
Fahsai underwelhmed.
Along with the Venezuelan beauty, Paweesuda Drouin of Thailand nicknamed as Fahsai was expected to be part of the elemental court but during the crucial Final eight interview portion of the competition, she stumbled when she picked the hashtag Millenial possibly costing her the Miss Earth crown.
Karen Ibasco lorded over the heavy favorites!
The Philippines is almost always sending brainy girls in this pageant. That is the biggest asset of Karen Ibasco as the host nation as she set on reclaiming the crown back to our home turf.
She may not be the most conventionally beautiful girl in the bunch but the girl does eat mic for breakfast and only reads the dictionary. Hah! Kidding aside, Karen was untouchable after the final 8 interview.
The Muy Caliente performance of Teresita Marquez at the Reina Hispanoamericana!
It was the debut participation of the Philippines and sending Teresita Marquez was perhaps the wisest decision from the organizer of the Miss World Philippines under its new national director – Arnold Vegafria.
Terestita also known as WinWyn Marquez was unstoppable in Bolivia so it’s very easy to see why she won the pageant becoming the very first Asian to do so!
Manushi Chhillar snatched the sixth Miss World crown for India tying the title with the most wins along with Venezuela.
One word – Luminous!
Indonesia finally won their first major beauty pageant crown!
Kevin Lilliana was the main frontrunner from the get go of the competition and it’s no wonder that she end up giving her country its first win in a major beauty competition!
The Worst Staging of Miss Universe in History!
Aside from its rather simple pre-pageant activities and the horrendous preliminary competition inside a hotel, the 66th edition of the pageant was nothing to write home about. It’s probably the worst staging of the pageant that I could remember!
Was Davina Bennett Robbed?
After a stellar performance all throughout the night, Jamaica’s Davina Bennett who sported an afro was denied the crown, only winning third overall. Despite strong showing, it seems like the competition was already pre-determined to be all about Demi-Leigh Peters of South Africa.
via Miss Universe Facebook page.
Overall, I’m satisfied with the winners of each respective major pageants and I hope to see more competitive girls in 2018!
The 2017 pageant season isn’t quite over yet since Katarina Rodriguez has yet to compete in her respective pageant assignment but since Miss Intercontinental 2017 edition is still slated for a January 2018 staging in Egypt, the buzz about the prospective queens next year is getting louder and louder especially after the lackluster results we’ve got from Miss World, Miss International and the Miss Universe pageant.
Photo from Catriona Gray’s Instagram
This early, we’ve been hearing one particular name that pageant fans and pundits are dying to see make a “comeback” and strut at the Binibining Pilipinas stage. It is none other than the top five finisher of the Miss World 2016 – Catriona Gray.
I for one is a big fan and couldn’t wait to see her win the most coveted title in the Binibining Pilipinas – the Miss Universe Philippines. She’s just so beautiful and smart that if we end up hosting the pageant next year – I’ve no doubt that she may end up winning the fourth Miss Universe crown for the country if she would decide, of course to truly participate in the nationals and (hopefully) bag the top plum.
Back in 2013, I’ve written a similar piece about Megan Young’s “supposed” intent to participate in the Golden edition of the Binibining Pilipinas. Her (again) “supposed” disqualification in joining the national pageant turns out to be a blessing in disguised as she went on to win the Miss World Philippines giving her a chance to represent the Philippines in Miss World 2013 where she end up winning the title, thus becoming the first winner of the blue crown in the country.
As of the moment, Catriona and her camp (the Aces & Queens – the same beauty camp of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, 2013 Miss World Megan Young and 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa) are keeping mum about her plans but it’s still very early to release a statement ofcourse since the Miss Universe was just held a week ago in Vegas! For now, let’s just keep our fingers crossed!
I am hoping that we’d see our delegates sashaying a Michael Cinco gown during the evening gown competition of this* pageant soon? For Catriona next year, perhaps?
* Michael Cinco provided the evening gowns for Sandra Seifert (Miss Earth 2009), Queenierich Rehman (Miss World 2012) and Valerie Weigmann (Miss World 2014) during their international pageant assignments.
Top 10 SwimsuitCompetition (Alphabetical)
Angola 9.35
Chile 9.15
Colombia 8.75
Honduras 8.75
Peru 8.75 Philippines 9.75– My Best in Swimsuit
Russia 9.55
South Africa 8.55
USA 9.55
Venezuela 9.75
Top 10 Evening Gown (Alphabetical)
Albania 8.50 Angola 9.85 – My Best in Evening Gown!
Germany 9.25
Iceland 8.50
Mexico 8.70
Peru 8.55
Philippines 9.75
Puerto Rico 8.75
Slovak Republic 8.50
Thailand 8.50
My Final 16 Based on Swimsuit and Evening Gown Competition
1. Philippines 9.75
2. Angola 9.60
3. Venezuela 9.075
4. USA 8.95
5. Mexico 8.90
6. Germany 8.875
7. Russia 8.825
8. Chile 8.70
9. Peru 8.65
10.Albania 8.50
10.1 Colombia 8.50
10.2 Puerto Rico 8.50
13. Thailand 8.475
14. Honduras 8.375
14.1. Slovak Republic 8.375
16. South Africa 8.325
I know that everyone’s focused on Miss Universe Philippines Rachel Peters and her quest to win the fourth Miss Universe crown for the country in Las Vegas but let’s also take a peek at Chanel Olive Thomas who’s currently in the spa city resort of Krynca Zdroj in Poland for the 9th edition of this very young, European-based pageant where our very own Mutya Datul became the very first Asian and Filipino to win the title.
Manushi Chhillar of India was crowned the new Miss World last night at the coronation night held in Sanya, China.
This was India’s first win after Priyanka Chopra won the crown in the year 2000.
Andrea Meza of Mexico and Stephanie Hill are first and second runners-up, respectively. Aurore Kichenin of France and Magline Jeruto of Kenya completed the top 5.
Meanwhile, Philipine rep Laura Lehmann won the Beauty With A Purpose campaign along with four other delegates including Chhillar herself. Lehmann also won the head to head challenge which automatically put her into the top 40 but failed to advanced further.
Indonesia has finally clinched one of the four major international pageant titles! Kevin Liliana bested 70 other contestants from around the world and was crowned the Miss International 2017 by the outgoing Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza earlier today at the Tokyo Dome City in Tokyo Japan.
photo from the miss international website
Here is the complete set of Winners:
Miss International 2017: Kevin Lilliana of Indonesia
1st runner-up: Chanelle de Lau of Curacao (Chanelle also competed during the 65th Miss Universe pageant in Manila this year)
2nd runener-up: Diana Croce Garcia of Venezuela
3rd runner-up: Amber Dew of Australia
4th runner-up: Natsuki Tsutsui of Japan
Special Awards:
Best in National Costume – Japan
Miss Perfect Body – Australia
Best Dressed – Indonesia
Continental Queens
Miss International Africa – Ghana – Abigail Martey
Miss International America – Bolivia – Carla Maldonado
Miss International Asia – Korea – Seung Woo Nam
Miss International Europe – United Kingdom – Ashley Powell
Miss International Oceania – New Zealand –Michelle Isemonger
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