Bb. Pilipinas 2023 Queens on love life, bashers & things they fight for

MANILA, Philippines — The newly-crowned Binibini Queens paid tribute to Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) founder Stella Marquez-Araneta as they recalled meeting her for the first time during the pageant.

They shared how they reacted when Mrs. Araneta met the girls after minimizing her public appearances since the pandemic. Considered a towering figure in the country’s fervent pageant community, Mrs. Araneta who originally hailed from Colombia was the first winner of the Miss International beauty pageant in 1960.

Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2023 Anna Valencia Lakrini said, “She’s such a role model. When I finally saw her I couldn’t believe it because it wasn’t announced. I remember she was looking all around the girls and then she told me, you’re really tall (laughs).”

“It was overwhelming, for me. Because you’ve seen her in so many pictures with (former Miss Universe winners) Catriona (Gray), with Pia (Wurtzbach), with (former Bb. Pilipinas International) Hannah Arnold. They are all telling stories about her and I was just so curious to finally meet her. Especially since this is my second time (joining Bb. Pilipinas) but the first time (seeing her) so it’s a long time waiting.”

For her part, Bb. Pilipinas International 2023 Angelica Lopez, said, “We were shocked because Madam Stella was there. Lahat kami nagkukumpulan na dun but then I said, no, I really want to introduce myself… I need to introduce myself and I did.”

“Sobrang happy po ako. Now that I’ve won Bb. Pilipinas International, I hope to meet her soon and talk to her more,” added the Palawan beauty, who intends to focus on “strengthening my advocacy, which focuses on the less-fortunate children” during her year-long preparation for the international competition.

“This advocacy is really close to my heart. This is what makes me stronger as a person because I hope these kids can come to me and see me as someone who will really fight for them,” she further said.

Related to children and nutrition is the advocacy that Anna is focusing her energies on as she readies for Miss Globe, though no date has been set yet. “Did you know that 95 children in the Philippines die every single day out of malnutrition? I was like, that’s a lot,” said the Fil-German beauty from Bataan.

“I was searching for my purpose for such a long time and what really drove me into that advocacy and towards nutrition was when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was when I decided to study nutritional science. I dedicated not only my studies but also my thesis to her and breast cancer,” she said.

The Philippine STAR had one-on-one interviews with Angelica and Anna, along with first runner-up Katrina Anne Johnson and second runner-up Atasha Reign Parani barely two days after the coronation affair a week ago. They revealed the first thing they did the morning after.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet that I’m the winner. I even cried when I woke up the day after and asked myself, ‘Is this really happening?’” recalled Angelica.

“After I got home from the very thrilling coronation night of Bb. Pilipinas, I prayed to Papa God because I really manifested this, I poured my efforts into this and God answered my prayer. I believe that every time I walked on the stage, it was Him guiding me and my mother as well, who’s in Heaven na po,” she added.

The Davao del Sur-based licensed pharmacist Katrina also shared, “First thing I did was actually to look for my dad, who flew from the US. He literally just stayed for four days to watch the coronation. I haven’t seen him for three and a half years so (it was a) very emotional reconnection.”

Katrina and Atasha are expected to step up to the plate in the event that the titleholders cannot fulfill their duties.

“Absolutely, I’m contented,” Katrina said of being first runner-up, adding that she was already grateful to have made it to the Top 10 and “to live out the Binibini dreams” of her late mom. She made sure she was with her through a symbolic butterfly piece she incorporated to everything she wore during the pageant.

Obviously, it wasn’t easy getting to where they are now, with the Binibini journey paved with both supporters and bashers.

Angelica, who is a Psychology major, said on dealing with negativity, “I always distance myself from the critics or the harsh comments that are not beneficial for my own growth. But I also believe that there’s constructive criticism. If I know it will help me become a better and more empowered person, I will take it. But if I know that it will only degrade people and harm my mental and emotional health, I don’t want to entertain such things, especially because I want to focus on those goals. Good thing, I’m not really a social media person. It’s helped me a lot.”

Katrina also said, “I have seen my fair share of ‘hate comments.’ I don’t think anyone’s immune to bashing online. Honestly, my mom always told me that you can’t please everyone. As long as you’re doing your best, you’re not hurting anybody, you’re trying to be your true self, then there’s nothing to be ashamed of.

“I’ve just been keeping that in mind. I really try to do my best and send a message. I have a goal of wanting to help people and be of service… Seeing things that ‘Oh, she’s not good at pasarela.’ I know I’m not great but there’s time to improve so I kind of take the ‘hate comments’ with a grain of salt. I just try to keep a positive mindset.”

Before joining pageants, Atasha of General Trias, Cavite has been used to bashing since entering showbiz via Pinoy Big Brother. “It was a lot worse during PBB,” the Star Magic talent recalled, referring to body-shaming comments she received, such as “too muscular” or “too thin” when she trained for the P-pop girl group BINI as their “body fat was constantly measured” to being “found lacking in everything” or that “my body isn’t developed yet” when she joined Bb. Pilipinas. She’s no longer bothered or offended because she’s been “practicing self-love.”

Speaking of love, three of these four Binibinis drew support from their loved ones for the entire content. Contrary to perhaps the experience or perception of others, their love lives are not a hindrance to their reign.

Katrina said of her six-year relationship with someone from Davao: “He’s been helping me since Day 1. I mean, he served as the assistant to my national costume designer. If you actually look at my national costume up close, there were so many details. He was helping, like painstakingly putting pieces each and every day.”

Angelica, who’s been in a relationship for over a year, said, “(My partner is) not (seloso) because he’s older than me so he’s more mature. He understands my responsibilities in life because just like me, he’s also an independent person and he’s like the breadwinner in the family. I’m also the breadwinner of the family, so we really jive. He understands this is my dream and goal so he just supports me.”

“(Love life) is not a hindrance as long as your man is supportive and kind to you, you can always focus on your goal,” she added.

Atasha, for her part, said, “You should be thinking of the relationship in a way that it helps you and makes you mature. It’s just a plus-one in your life. If ever it’s a hindrance, then you should break up! Or if it’s distracting you, it’s not a good relationship.”

Anna, on the other hand, is single and “focused on the crown: but she feels like “it shouldn’t be a curse and it’s supposed to be true love if someone supports you all the way no matter what you do.”

But should there be suitors, her ideal guy is someone certainly supportive. “I also feel like if you’re supportive, he will also be supportive. It’s 50-50. (He should also be) honest. And he has to be taller than me. I’m 5’11 so that’s a challenge.”