MANILA, Philippines — This year’s Bb. Pilipinas competition continues to heat up with pre-pageant activities in the lead-up to the coronation night on March 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 40 Bb. Pilipinas beauties recently sashayed in their “national costumes” at the Kia Theater, Araneta Center in Cubao.
The jam-packed crowd was treated to a showcase of designs that reimagined the Filipiniana, gowns that flaunted ethnic and indigenous details, and ensembles that channeled the Pinay warrior.
Clockwise from upper left: Michele Gumabao, Catriona Gray, Samantha Avestruz, Jehza Mae Hueler, Sarah Margarette Joson, Stephanie Abellanida. Sandra Lemonon(below)
Costumes went from traditional, classy, to festive, tribal and quirky, with some that seemed to have stepped right out of a TV fantaserye or came across like the national costume of our ASEAN neighbors.
Nevertheless, the fashion show of national costumes offered an exciting teaser for the finals night and gave a fair idea of who are the early favorites and dark horses in the much-awaited annual contest that determines bets to be fielded to the Miss Universe, International, Supranational, Grand International, Intercontinental and Globe international pageants.
Hardcore pageant watchers hope this year’s batch will outperform the runner-up/finalist finish of last year’s Binibini queens.
Meanwhile, the Top 10 Best in Costume were candidates No. 20 Catriona Gray, No. 4 Ana Patricia Asturias, No. 11 Maria Andrea Abesamis, No. 18 Rosantonette Mendoza, No. 19 Michele Gumabao, No. 29 Samantha Avestruz, No. 30 Sarah Margarette Joson, No. 31 Jehza Mae Hueler, No. 33 Stephanie Abellanida and No. 35 Sandra Lemonon.