Three ladies were chosen once again at the Big Dome to represent the Philippines in the three most prestigious beauty pageants in the world – the Miss Universe, Miss World and the Miss International. In this year’s pageant, 24 lovely Filipinas battled it out to grab one of the three crowns.
Maria Venus Raj from Bato, Camarines Sur was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe. With a towering 5’9″ physique, elegant walk and incredible tan – Raj was actually favored to win from the get-go grabbing Miss Friendship, Best In Terno and Best In Long Gown during the finals. I have this feeling that she’d have a very good chance of at least making it to the semi-finals come Miss Universe 2010 because of her semblance to some Latinas who are ruling the Donald Trump-owned pageant.
The Binibining Pilipinas-International went to GMA Network contract star – Krista Arrieta Kleiner (winner of Miss USA-Philippines) and girlfriend of Philippine RNB prince Jay-R. In my opinion, Krista along with Helen Nicolette Henson (2nd Runner Up) gave the best answers during the Q&A portion of the pageant. She was asked what would she tell President Obama if she were to have five minutes with him. The eloquence in her answer proved her smart thinking and that she actually deserved the title. She will be representing the Philippines in Shanghai, China October of this year.
Manila Bulletin Reader’s Choice Awardee and Bulacan-native Catherine Czarina Gatbonton snagged the Binibining Pilipinas World title. She’s the only contestant who answered in the vernacular and when asked if she were to live again, what would she want to be? She answered “Puno” as in the girl wanted to be a Tree. Everyone inside the coliseum were mostly puzzled by her winning over crowd favorite Helen Nicolette Henson who received three awards and end up placing fifth overall. Gatbonton will be representing the country come November 2010 – possibly in Vietnam. As of this point, the Philippines has yet to win the Miss World crown.
Diane Elaine Samar Necio of Albay was the night’s first runner up. She is also the reigning Miss Bicolandia- 1st Runner Up.
Helen Nicolette Henson of Pampanga , 2nd Runner up.
I am not quite sure if we stand a chance in the international competitions. I’ve mention that I think Venus has a slight chance of making it to the semi-finals. If I were one of the judges, I would’ve picked Krista to represent us to the Miss Universe or Miss World (she could actually make it to the semi-finals by merely getting the Best In Talent – an award she got at the Binibini.) For Miss World, we’d probably end up empty-handed once again for the nth time. Czarina just doesn’t click for me as Miss World material. I was hoping that Nicolette Henson will be chosen for Miss International but unfortunately the judges were not into her.
Let’s all hope for the best though . Out of all the three winners– I’d say Krista has the best chance of making it.
