AFTER the 40 official delegates were revealed during the final screening three weeks ago, the 58th Binibining Pilipinas activities kicked off with the spectacular Grand Santacruzan at the Araneta City grounds in Quezon City, a long-time tradition of the premiere beauty pageant.
Rev. Fr. Ronnie Santos of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish led the blessing and opening of the Grand Santacruzan with a Holy Mass at the Araneta Coliseum and the incense offering to the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a flower-bedecked carroza that led the procession.
Aside from featuring the 40 candidates who represented the traditional Biblical and religio-historical characters and Marian titles in the revered Maytime event that dates back to the mid-1800s, the reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens also graced the occasion.
Miss International 2005 and actress Lara Quigaman Alcaraz was “Emperatriz”for this year, wearing the replica of her Mikimoto pearl crown like she did 10 years ago when she also graced the event as “Reyna Elena.”
Binibining Pilipinas International Hannah Arnold was “Reyna Elena” who was accompanied by her “consorte” Noah Alcaraz, Lara’s first-born, as Constantino. Interestingly, Lara was pregnant with Noah at the Santacruzan in 2012.
The other reigning queens who lent their gracious presence were: Miss Intercontinental 2021 Cindy Obenita as “Reyna de las Flores,” The Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne as “Reyna de las Virgenes,” Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2021 Samantha Panlilio as “Reyna del Cielo,” and Binibining Pilipinas 2021 2nd runner-up Meiji Cruz as “Reyna de los Santos.”
Among the most popular “zagala” was Nicole “Hipon” Budol representing Pamayanan Guadalupe whose antics provided a festive, if not offbeat, atmosphere to the event.
Otherwise, the participating beauties offered a virtuous representation of their assigned titles to remind the public of the religious and cultural relevance of this Catholic tradition.
