New kids on the pageant block

MANILA, Philippines — The dusky Lovely Dinah Baeshen dared strut around in a purple two-piece during the press presentation for the new beauty pageant Bikining Pilipinas 2019.  Lovely is a Muslim, raised in the conservative belief which forbids women from exposing their bodies in revealing clothes.

But she’s sticking her neck out in an effort to improve her loved ones’ lives.

“Our family is not rich,” she admits in Filipino. She may be short in material wealth, but the girl is rich in spirit and spunk.

In-between tears, she vowed not to let religion stop her from reaching her dreams, pointing out that one’s clothes do not reflect the depth of her faith.

Criminology student Maureen Catangay’s can-do spirit is just as impressive. The only candidate with cropped hair explains that her look blends well with her daily habit of wearing pants. It also comes in handy when she attends ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) classes daily.

The regular exercise, she says, boosts her stamina. Maureen will need it as she chases her dream of becoming a policewoman and a member of the PMA (Philippine Military Academy).

The girls’ eyes are trained on the crown to be given away on May 1 at The Island, Uptown BGC. Just as important, the winner will get a shot at showbiz via regular appearances on ABS-CBN’s Banana Sundae. The weekly comedy gag show’s director, Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz is one of the new pageant’s think tanks, along with Victor Naynes, president-CEO of RV International Talent Management, Events & Production, and his co-founder Romeo Martin.

The winner can also answer Naynes’ need for a sexy talent his agency can tap for shows and other events.