FOR beauty queen, court side reporter and artist Gianna Margarita Llanes, Binibining Pilipinas 2023, where she is currently candidate no. 5, will be her valedictory in her long pageant journey.
The 27-year-old, 5’5″ Communications graduate of Ateneo de Manila University and currently pursuing her masters at Harvard University, was crowned as Miss Philippines Water 2020 at the advocacy-driven pageant’s first of two virtual finales.
Before that, she also joined Miss World Philippines 2018 and Miss Mandaluyong 2019 where she placed first runner-up.
Last year, she was appointed to represent the Philippines at the supposed inaugural Miss Glamour International, but the contest ended in a fiasco that forced Gianna to go to Los Angeles and subsequently, to Canada, where she grew up.
Born in San Juan, Metro Manila to business executive Jovy Llanes and psychologist Ria Macapagal Salgado, Gianna was six years old when she and her family moved to Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. After a few years, the family moved back to the Philippines.
After graduating from Faith Academy in Cainta, Rizal, Gianna entered Ateneo de Manila University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications.
In 2014, she won the MYX VJ Search and served as a courtside reporter for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 77, the 2014-2015 UAAP athletic year.
Gianna may well be in her comfort zone joining pageants and performing in front of the camera. Perhaps unknown to most fans, Gianna’s great grandmother
was Purita dela Rosa Macapagal, President Diosdado Macapagal’s first wife and sister of the famous De La Rosa brothers Jaime and Rogelio. A great beauty during her time, Purita also acted in zarzuelas and later in movies along with her brothers. She was also the Reina Elena of her hometown, Lubao, Pampanga.
Purita’s daughter and Gianna’s grandmother Cielo Macapagal Salgado was crowned as Teenage Queen of the Philippines in 1958.
Gianna took on her sporty side from her grandfather Gene Salgado, who was once a Letran cager and an alternate in the national team.
Gianna describes her pageant journey (since 2018) as “a rollercoaster ride of experiences and emotions, filled with challenges and victories as well.”
“On my final national pageant which is Binibining Pilipinas, I hope to be able to muster all the experiences where I have learned and where I had the opportunities to grow, not only as a beauty queen but as a person. I hope to be able to display that and all that I am now on coronation night.”
The 59th Binibining Pilipinas will hold its finals at the Araneta Coliseum on May 28.
