Binibining Cebu Swimsuit Competition Sizzling, sultry in SOLTI

MANILA, Philippines — After exuding grace and elegance in their Philippine Terno, the 54 Binibining Cebu candidates displayed their sultry and playful sides in their second pre-pageant event: The Swimsuit Competition held Saturday, September 28, at the Grand Convention Center.

We’re not used to a swimwear category in Cebu pageants, with the likes of the cancelled Miss Cebu competition opting for conservatism and Miss Mandaue only doing sports wear or fun wear in lieu of the skin-baring portion.

So it was a welcome change to see candidates radiating confidence as they flaunted enviable physiques – surely, there must have been a few in the audience making a mental note to hit the gym for heaven’s sake instead of just daydreaming to coming close to looking like these knockouts.

The Swimsuit Competition will make up 25 percent of the pre-pageant scores which will determine the Top 20 during coronation night.

Judging the candidates that evening for their beauty of face and body proportion, walk, poise and grace, and confidence and stage presence were Photography Wonder Boy Dan Douglas Ong, fashion and accessories designer Mia Arcenas-Branellec (a Binibining Pilipinas 2012 finalist), actor Jomari Yllana, renowned fashion designer Arcy Gayatin, and Binibining Cebu organizing committee member Kenneth Cobonpue.

The Best in Swimsuit, who will receive P10,000, will be announced on the October 28 coronation night at the Pacific Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Our lensman was adamant on his choice of Binibining Ronda Megan Deen Campbell as Best in Swimwear for having “all the right curves in all the right places.” From where we were seated, we saw judge Jomari Yllana not taking his eyes off Binibining Badian Apriel Smith, craning his neck to take a long good look at her as she strutted towards the far end of the stage (we didn’t see him do that with the other candidates).

Aside from the ladies, another star that evening was Kymberly Maitland-Smith’s SOLTI Activewear, the official swimsuit of Binibining Cebu. Showcasing bold and simple designs for the free-spirited and adventurous girl, SOLTI is handcrafted in Cebu from textiles cast aside by large manufacturers.

Binibining Cebu requested SOLTI for a one-piece but gave Maitland-Smith a free hand on the color and style. “I wanted to keep it classic. I didn’t want to take away from the beauty and figures of the girls. Instead, I wanted to enhance their figure by keeping it simple,” the 28-year-old designer said.

Next up: Femme fatales parading in the Evening Gown Competition this Wednesday, October 4, at the Centerstage of SM Seaside City Cebu.