Bb. Pilipinas 2012 candidates revealed

MANILA, Philippines - The 30 official candidates of this year’s Bb. Pilipinas search were formally presented to the media on Feb. 13 at the Gateway Suites of Gateway Mall, Araneta Center.

The “chosen ones,” in no particular order, are Marie Virgenia Cecilie Peter, Fer Mary Baliquig, Roxanne Tadique, Janine Mari Tugonon, Rose Ann Aguilar, Sherlyn Gonzales, Maxine Medina, Jaine Hidalgo, Marie Irisha Arcenas, Katrina Jayne Dimaranan, Goldy Baroa, Giselle Angelice Muñoz, Angelee delos Reyes, Jillean Camille Orbina, Liezl Alcantara, Nicole Marable, Annalie Forbes, Gina Joy Howell, Mary Jean Lastimosa, Patricia Lae Ejercitado, Anna Czarina Buenviaje, Roxane Joy Jesalva, Elaine Kay Moll, Nicole Schmitz, Meiji Cruz, Golda Soller, Romelin Roxane de Castro, Chloe Zanardi, Karen Gallman and Maria Alicia Elena Ariosa.

Tugonon and Lastimosa were last year’s runners-up, both hoping to clinch this year two of the prestigious crowns at stake.

BPCI chair Stella Marquez de Araneta (second from left) with (from left) 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup, 2010 Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj and Diane Necio

During the final screening last Feb. 11, BPCI chair Stella Marquez de Araneta gave encouraging words to the new batch and even hugged and asked those not fortunate enough to join again in next year’s search.

The grueling final screening lasted for six and a half long hours that served as another reunion of past Binibini titleholders, who were part of the screening committee that includes Madame Stella, ABS-CBN VP for Special Projects Chit Guerrero, renowned artist Betsy Westerndorp de Brias, Gus de Castro of BPCI, fashion director Raymond Villanueva and Eddie Ocampo.

The new set of winners will be crowned during a glittering coronation night that will be held on April 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and will be aired live on ABS-CBN.

From left: ABS-CBN’s Chit Guerrero, 1999 Miss Universe first runner-up Miriam Quiambao, 2005 Miss International Lara Quigaman, Anna Maris Igpit and Karen Loren Medrano