Cebu bets stun at Bb. Pilipinas 2019 press presentation

CEBU, Philippines — In their two-piece swimwear, the 40 candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2019 strutted in front of media, sponsors and Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. officials during yesterday’s press presentation held at Novotel Manila Araneta Center.

Gazini Ganados, 23, representing Talisay City, Cebu wowed numerous netizens, garnering the second most number of likes (next to Vickie Rushton) in the Bb. Pilipinas official Facebook page as of press time. Notably, she took her sweet time during her turn on stage, doing more poses and turns compared to the rest of the finalists.

The five-foot-eight Tourism graduate from the University of San Jose-Recoletos was described during the press presentation as someone who likes jogging with her fur babies and listening to podcasts about business and self-improvement.

Gazini, a Miss World Philippines 2014 Top 15 finalist, has earned fans for her strong Latina looks, but some pageant followers are wary as they wonder why she has failed to win minor pageants such as Reyna ng Aliwan and Miss Bohol.

Wearing the Cebu City sash, 26-year-old Samantha Ashley Lo, on the other hand, had netizens pointing out that she had one of the weakest catwalk performances. Described as someone who likes to box and run half marathons during her free time, the Binibining Cebu Tourism 2017 title-holder has been complimented for being among the few “untouched” (no surgical enhancements, so far), and thus, fresh beauties in the roster.

Ilene, 23, of Mandaue City, also has her slew of believers who feel that her beauty is normally what judges in the pageant favor. The Mass Communications graduate from the University of the Philippines Cebu already has the Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International 2017 and Miss Asia Pacific International 2017 fourth runner-up titles under her belt.

Meanwhile, Dumaguete City’s Malka Shaver, 23, is representing Zamboanga, Sibugay after winning first runner-up in Bb. Sibugay early this year. The Mass Communications graduate from Silliman University is known to Cebuano pageant followers for winning Miss Mandaue 2016 and for being a Binibining Cebu 2017 Top 12 finisher.

The model-blogger was described as someone who enjoys listening to old songs because of her mother’s influence and likes reflecting even on the mundane things she does.

Yesterday’s event also saw the official announcement of the Miss Universe Organization on Miss Universe Philippines being a separate entity to BPCI, although they will still be working together.

In a statement, MUO said, “In our continuing efforts to constantly build and evolve the Miss Universe brand in the Philippines, the Miss Universe Organization is enhancing Binibining Pilipinas while helping grow it into a dynamic, multi-faceted platform. Working with the Araneta Group, IMG, and the new Miss Universe Philippines will take Binibining Pilipinas to exciting new levels, engaging and entertaining fans like never before. With a long term plan of evolving it into more than a one day television special, the modernization and growth of these powerful brands will place an emphasis on women empowerment and philanthropy, culminating in the selection of the candidate who is the embodiment of the modern day Filipina.”

To realize this vision, MUO got the services of Jonas Gaffud, who recently resigned as Aces and Queens member, to be the Creative and Events Director for the Miss Universe Philippines Brand under IMG Universe.

“Jonas Gaffud will be responsible for elevating the level of Miss Universe Philippines further through his innovative and groundbreaking pageant creative concepts and ideas. In the process, he is expected to showcase the best of the Philippines. A strong component of which will be highlighting the advocacies of modern day Filipinas and pushing for Philippine tourism,” the statement read.

“To be the Brand and Marketing Strategist for Miss Universe Philippines is the experienced marketing executive, Mario Garcia. He will be responsible in stregthening the brand of Miss Universe Philippines through fresh brand-building approaches and in pursuing meaningful partnerships with local businesses that will share the values and goals of Miss Universe Philippines.”

Before yesterday’s media event, the candidates have been swept in a daily flurry of activities such as Araneta Center tours and photo shoots, a Talent Competition last March 30 (where Gazini imbibed an Indian goddess in a belly-dancing routine, Ilene showed off her island girl roots with a Hawaiian dance number and Malka sang in public for the first time to the tune of Charlene’s “I’ve Never Been To Me,” giving the monologue part of the song her own twist by imparting a message to this Instagram generation not to chase after a “fake paradise”) and spending time with kids at the 12th World Autism Awareness Day at the Araneta Center.

On May 25, the ladies will participate in the Grand Parade of Beauties at the Araneta Center, while a Fashion Show at the New Frontier Theater will be held on May 29.

The Binibining Pilipinas 2019 Grand Coronation Night is happening on June 9, 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, simulcast on ABS-CBN.