13 beauties to watch out for in Bb. Pilipinas 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) presented this afternoon at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel the 50 young Filipinas who are looking to take the first step towards bringing prestige and glory to the country as official Bb. Pilipinas candidates. Philstar.com presents the 13 (in no particular order) who stood out during the swimsuit category:

Rhea Nakpil, 23, San Mateo, Rizal

Twenty-three year old Rhea has been working as a model since she was 13. At 15, she joined a reality artista search show. The money she earned from her modeling and acting jobs helped her finance her college education. She graduated with a degree in Communication from Miriam College.

Rhea describes herself as “super workaholic,” a friendly yet competitive people person. “I try to do my best without stepping in anyone’s shoes,” she says.

Rhea prefers to look up to Filipina beauty queens. Her beauty queen idol is Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz because she believes that Gloria still embodies being a beauty queen.

Mutya Johanna Datul, 20, Isabela

Mutya describes herself as a “simpleng probinsyana na may matayog na pangarap.” As a young girl in Isabela, she helps catch salagubang in the fields, which they make into a delicacy. She says Binibining Pilipinas is her “ultimate dream.” She has watched the pageant since she was a little girl, and has since wanted to be one of the queens.

In her spare time, Mutya likes to listen to music and sing. Her beauty queen idol is Venus Raj, because “nakikita ko ang buhay ko sa kanya, na nabuhay sa hirap, pero nagsikap. Sa kanya ko nakita na hindi imposible na makamit mo yung pangarap mo.”
 

Mariz Ong, 21, Isabela

Twenty-one year old Mariz was adopted twice, by two sets of parents. She admits that before, she didn’t want to admit that she was adopted. “Before, I was ashamed, baka ayaw na nila sa akin kapag nalaman nilang adopted ako, but that’s not the case.” Mariz decided to join Binibining Pilipinas because she believes that this experience will open the doors to a lot of opportunities for her. Plus, she sees this as the chance to prove that even if she is adopted, she can still be successful.

Mariz looks up to Miss Universe 2010 4th runner up Venus Raj. “Siya yung nagbalik ng Pinoy Pride sa Miss Universe.” She believes that Venus’s story is very inspiring; “hindi hindrance yung status mo in life to succeed. Like in my case, hindi hindrance yung pagiging adopted ko to succeed in life.”

Charmaine Elima, 20, Binangonan, Rizal

An International hospitality Management student at Siena College, Charmaine is graduating this March. She won Ms. Rizal 2012 and Miss Mandaluyong 2013.

Charmaine plays the organ and the piano.

Ria Rabajante, 23, Pasig City

Ria graduated from Assumption College in 2012 with a degree in Bachelor in Communications Major in Media Production. She wants to be a film director so she could create romantic films and make people fall in love.

She joined Bb. Pilipinas because it’s been her dream since she was 10. The very first time she was able to watch a pageant was back in 1999 when she was 10 and Miriam Quiambao competed for Miss Universe. When Miriam won 1st runner up, she already knew she wanted to be like her.

Ria loves hanging out with her friends, skyping with her family in the states, shopping, biking.

Joana Cindy Miranda, 20, Nueva Ecija

Cindy used to be a Wiltime Good Time co-host. She decided to resign from the show because she really wanted to join Bb. Pilipinas. She used to be very shy in person even when she was already working as a TV host.

Despite her achievements, Cindy wants to maintain her simplicity.
 

Parul Shah, 24, Baguio City

Half-Indian Parul graduated BS Nursing from the University of the Cordilleras. She is the second of four siblings. She likes going to the mall with her friends. She believes that one does not need to step on anyone in order to reach higher in life, and that showing humility and respect will go a long way.

Her beauty queen idols are Miss Universe 2010 4th runner up Venus Raj, Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner up Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 2012 1st runner up Janine Tugonon, and Bb. Pilipinas-World 2007 Maggie Wilson. Parul likes Venus because they share the same roots; both of them being half-Indian. She likes Janine because she thinks Janine has a nice, unique beauty. She admires Shamcey’s wit, and Maggie’s strong attitude.
 

Maria Angelica de Leon, 19, Las Piñas City

Mariel is the daughter of veteran actors Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong, but she has started to make a name for herself as a model. She studied Professional Cookery in New Zealand, and has plans to open her own café. While studying in New Zealand, her older brother, who is a surfer, encouraged her to take up surfing.

Mariel is also an opera singer. She believes that joining Binibining Pilipinas will be a good experience for her, and will allow her to enjoy her other passions—fashion and modeling.
 

Carin Adrianne Ramos, 24, San Pedro Laguna

Carin is a professional nurse. She used to work in the ER. Her mom joined Bb. Pilipinas in 1984 but backed out because she fell in love. Now, Carin wants to continue her mom’s unfinished business.

She is an aspiring professional singer who loves watching horror movies and internet couching. Carin also dreams of putting up a small business in the near future.
 

Ma. Teresita Alaine Baccay, 22, Laguna

Mat is a registered nurse, but eventually would like to pursue her dream to become a neurologist. It has been her dream to win one of the Binibining Pilipinas crowns. As a kid, she used to make “gowns” out of curtains and practice her walk.

In elementary, she was a sepak takraw player. She chose this sport because, “mahilig akong maglaro ng sipa noon, at lagi akong tinatalo ng mga pinsan kong lalaki. So nag-sepak takraw ako; kaya kapag naglalaro kami ng sepak takraw, ako na ang nananalo!” When she got older, she pursued volleyball and badminton.
 

Imelda Schweighart, 17, Puerto Princesa City

Half-German teen Imelda Schweighart, from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, has been active in showbiz since she was 14 years old. Before showbiz beckoned, she lived a very simple life in Palawan. “I was a farm girl. Maitim ako nung bata ak kasi nagtatanim ako with my mom.” In high school, she took up swimming and wanted to represent the Philippines in competition. Now, she wants to take one of the coveted crowns so she can represent the country in international pageants.

Her beauty queen idol is current Miss Universe Olivia Culpo because “she is herself; she has no need to have a fake smile, a fake personality—and it is very admirable. I admire her confidence; she is not afraid to be herself.”
 

Bea Rose Santiago, 23, Masbate

A Communications student majoring in Public Relations at the York University in Toronto, Canada, Bea was born in the Philippines, but she and her family moved to Toronto when she was 14.
Bea has learned to be independent for 6 months now. She lives on her own here in the Philippines. She is a Gawad Kalinga Ambassador who plays the bandoria and would like to promote her province, Masbate, through joining the pageant.

Amanda Noelle Navasero, 21, Makati City

Mandie originally had no plans of joining a beauty pageant, but she was inspired by Miss Universe 2012 1st runner up Janine Tugonon’s success. She is currently studying for a Tourism degree in De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. A budding photographer, Mandie likes taking photos of people and places. She is training to become a photographer like her mom. She also likes Broadway musicals, and her favorites are Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. Her favorite theater actress is Lea Salonga.

She wants to be like Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz. She also wants to inspire people, and to put the Philippines on the map.