THE 57th edition of the long-running Binibining Pilipinas pageant has finally crowned its newest set of winners after the COVID-19 pandemic halted last year’s pre-pageant activities for more than one and a half years.
Hannah Consencino Arnold, 20, a Filipino-Australian representing her mother’s home province of Masbate, led the new roster of queens at the coronation night held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Sunday before a limited audience who observed rigid health protocols in the presence of IATF personnel, including the administration of nasal antigen tests for everyone who entered the venue.
Arnold was crowned as Binibining Pilipinas International 2021 by her predecessor, Atty. Patch Magtanong. Arnold will compete at the 60th Miss International pageant that was also sidelined last year. The 60th Miss International is set in Yokohama, Japan in October 2021.
Samantha Alexandra Panlilio, 25, from Cavite was named Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2021 and was crowned by her predecessors, Samantha Bernardo and Ma. Andrea Abesamis.
Abesamis missed competing for the international pageant because she exceeded the age limit as a result of delays caused by the pandemic. Bernardo, who was second runner-up in 2018 and 2019, was handpicked instead and finished as first runner-up in the international tilt in Bangkok last March.
Chosen as Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2021 was Cinderella Faye Obeñita, 25, from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. She was crowned by Emma Tiglao and will vie for the international pageant in Egypt later this year.
The Binibining Pilipinas Globe title went to Fil-Am beauty Maureen Ann Hiwatig Montagne, 28, who represented her mother’s home province of Batangas. Originally based in Arizona, USA, Maureen was crowned by outgoing queen Leren Bautista, who placed second runner-up in the last edition of the international pageant.
Named as runners-up were Gabrielle Camille Basiano, 23, from Borongan, Eastern Samar, first; and Meiji Cruz, 27, from Valenzuela, second.
The six winners came from a shortlist of 13 finalists that included Patrizia Garcia of Manila; Karen Laurrie Mendoza of Iloilo; Graciella Lehman of Oriental Mindoro; Francesca Taruc of Angeles City, Pampanga; Jashmin Dimaculangan of Albay; Patricia Babista of Quezon; and Honey Cartasano of Rizal.
Thirty-four of the original 40 contestants remained to finish the pageant, but the six who withdrew for various reasons were duly acknowledged. Miss International 2015 Bea Rose Santiago was also interviewed live from her home in Toronto, Canada. Santiago is currently undergoing treatment, while waiting for a kidney transplant, for her chronic renal disease.
The premiere event was ably hosted by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves.
The panel of judges included international designer Rajo Laurel, broadcast journalist Pinky Webb, Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza, actors Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano and DOT Asec. Benito Bengzon, Jr.
ABS-CBN and ZOE TV broadcasted the coronation night through their television network A2Z. The pageant also was shown on ABS-CBN’s Metro Channel and livestreamed on IWantTFC and YouTube.
