The very first Binibining Cebu

Apriel Smith’s best birthday gift ever

CEBU, Philippines — Apriel Smith was asked about her birthday wish during the preliminary interview for Binibining Cebu’s top 12 contenders, as she would be turning 22 years old the day after the pageant’s very first coronation night. Little did she know that her dream would come true during the early minutes of her natal day.

Finally commencing on Saturday night at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, and after a year in the making, the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation Inc., and the Bb. Sugbu Charity Foundation Inc. managed to pull off the grandest and most prestigious pageant in Cebu and the first of its kind in the country.

Going down in history as the first ever Binibining Cebu and ultimate Cebuana ambassadress is Smith as she bested 53 other beautiful women who highlighted the cities and municipalities of Cebu.

For the final hurdle, Smith and her fellow Top 5 candidates were asked, “What important lesson should millennials learn?”

“There is only one thing I can share to you: the man of my life has passed away whom I call my father,” the five-foot-seven model began.

“His peaceful goodbye changed my perspective of life, which I can call the values and time. Because we cannot take time and time is gold. And I know that when you have time with your family, cherish and embrace it, especially the younger ones. Because we never know when our time is up. And that will be a very important lesson to all the millennials – this value which is time.”

That response was only 40 percent of what made her the star of the night though. Without a doubt, Smith owned the stage, an undisputed queen of the runway as she glided with regality and bearing that was topped off with a beautiful face.

“I’m so happy, I’m so blessed. This is the best birthday gift ever. I was nervous, I thought I was stuttering throughout the question and answer portion. I couldn’t believe it,” says the Fil-Am, who took up Tourism at the University of San Carlos but has currently put that on hold as she has been based in Manila as an Aces and Queens talent.

“To anyone being bullied for their appearance, their hair or skin color, don’t let anyone step on you because no one can do that to you but yourself. Just believe in yourself and be positive,” adds Smith, who was also chosen Best in Swimsuit.

Along with prestige of her title and her crown, Smith took home P500,000, a trip to Las Vegas and other sponsor prizes.

Smith’s court is Binibining Asturias, 24-year-old Nursing major Samantha Ashley Lo who was hailed Binibining Cebu Tourism (also a Best in Evening Gown awardee); Maria Gigante of Bantayan who won the Binibining Cebu Charity title; 21-year-old Tourism Management major Ingrid Elizabeth Gerodias of Minglanilla was hailed first runner-up; while 18-year-old Binibining Danao City Kathleen Mae Lendio was second runner-up (and Best in Production Number).

The 54 candidates were trimmed to 20, then to the Top 12, until the competition which opened in August boiled down to five women standing.

Special awards were given to Binibining Ronda Megan Deen Campbell who was voted by the contestants as Miss Congeniality and also won the Best in Philippine Terno Award. Binibining Carmen Moselblick Madera won Miss Photogenic, while Binibining Dalaguete Lou Dominique Piczon and Binibining Tuburan Monique Ricafort Acha bagged the Miss Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 award for their attendance, punctuality, professionalism, and attitude towards the organizers.

Hosted by Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry and celebrity father and son duo Edu and Luis Manzano, the Binibining Cebu 2017 coronation night featured performances from James Reid, Cebuano actor Richard Yap, American multi-platform social media group Hey Joe Show, Cebu-based premier international hip-hop crew Don Juan, singer Zsari Vidal, the Pintaflores Dance Company, WCOPA alumnus Josh Marquina, DJ Gio with Joefre Capangpangan and Marc Mercado.

The question and answer portions were one for the books, as a few candidates chose to answer in Cebuano with Karla Henry trying her utmost to translate their answers the best she could for the benefit of the judges and non-Cebuanos.

The esteemed panel of judges was chaired by actress, television and film producer, “Maalala Mo Kaya” host and Chief Content Creator of ABS-CBN Corporation Charo Santos Concio, alongside Anton San Diego, Angelito Banayo, Rolly Macasaet, reigning Miss Earth Katherine Elizabeth Espin, Miss Asia Pacific franchise holder Jacqueline Tan Sainz and Frederic Go.

The ladies were on equal footing in matching Cary Santiago evening gowns, swimwear from Kymberly Maitland Smith's Solti Active Wear collection and fineries from Shandar as they sashayed down Kenneth Cobonpue-designed stage.

The Binibining Cebu crown was designed by project chair and master couturier Cary Santiago. Made in gold, rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and blue sapphires crafted by Oro China Jewelry, the crown resembles the colorful history and rich culture of each of the 44 municipalities and nine cities in Cebu – epitomizing the beauty, resilience, and pride of the crown’s bearer.

Santiago quips that there might be a repeat performance next year, and the following year but the challenge is looking for another batch of 54 stunning and intelligent women.

But first and foremost, the task now is to help their ambassadress fulfill her duties. As Karla Henry puts it, the ladies aren’t just winning a crown and a title, but also winning a job with serious responsibilities and duties that they should fulfill as well.

Despite the looming task, the Binibining Cebu titlists can’t wait to get to work.

“I commend the organizers because until a few months ago, Binibining Cebu was just a concept and today they were able to materialize all of it. It’s something that we can all be proud of,” says Gigante, one of the most cheered on candidates. “What can I say? I can’t wait to get to work!”

Smith shares how excited she is to not only implement her advocacies but other gestures of good will as well, while Lo says she can’t wait to show the youth that they can be something more, in the same way she discovered a certain potential in herself through Binibining Cebu.

As a pageant-crazed country, people will always have their own opinions and standards of beauty. Choosing one person to embody and represent the beauty and purpose of Cebuanas out of 54 is daunting  in itself. However, what matters most is the pageant’s ability to not only gather the most stunning, but also the most purposeful women of the province, who can best highlight Cebu’s culture, riches and heritage.