Captivating Cebuanas of Binibining Pilipinas 2013

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano pageant fans will have not just one, but three homegrown candidates to root for in the 50th edition of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

Binibini title-holders who are pure or half-Cebuanas such as Pilar Pilapil, Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt, Karla Bautista and Nicole Schmitz have long proven that beauties from our Southern province can give contenders from other regions a strong fight. This year though is looking up to be a tougher battle than usual because for the first time, a total of 50 candidates will slug it out it for the Miss Universe-Philippines, Bb. Pilipinas-International, and Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism crowns.

Our Bisdak bets all belong to the same training camp, which is Kagandahang Flores headed by pageant mentor Rodgil Flores.

Cross your fingers for candidate number 30, Maria Theresa C. Gorgonio who hails from Poro, Camotes. Matet, as she’s fondly called by family and friends, is a familiar face in the local modeling scene, being one of the top mannequins of the Models Association of Cebu.

The 25-year-old was a Miss Teen Philippines 2005 finalist and Miss Cebu 2007 third runner up. She stands at 5 feet and 8 1/2 inches tall.

Matet studied BS Tourism Management at the University of San Carlos, then worked as a flight attendant for Qatar Airways for three years. Her Binibini profile states that it was her mom, an accountant working in Bahrain, who convinced her to join the pageant.

This lithe lady describes herself as a “self-taught portrait and landscape photography enthusiast, learning how to take good pictures by watching YouTube videos and getting tips from photographer friends.”

The second Cebuana stunner in the roster is candidate number 48 Angeli Dione B. Gomez, a 19-year-old from Toledo City.

Angeli was crowned Reyna ng Aliwan 2012 (giving Cebu its fourth consecutive win in the annual festival pageant) and was also named Miss Resorts World Manila 2012 fourth runner-up.

The eldest of three daughters, Angeli’s dad is a pediatrician while her mom is a businesswoman. She attended high school at B.R.I.G.H.T. Academy, then majored in film at the International Academy of Film and Television in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, hoping to “make indie films and eventually break into mainstream filmmaking.”

Angeli is fond of flow arts like poi, hoops, and contact juggling. She in fact showcased her skill with the hula hoop during the Talent competition last month participated in by 16 Binibini candidates. She also used to ride horses and play polo but an accident prevented her from pursuing those hobbies.

And then there’s candidate number 49 Herlie Kim T. Artugue, a 22-year-old nursing graduate from the University of San Carlos.

Kim placed fourth runner-up in the Miss Cebu 2012 pageant and was also once declared as Miss Philippines Student Nurses Association.

Like Angeli, Kim is also the eldest in the brood of three. Her father is a chef for a Cebu resort, while her mother is a real estate broker. Kim is also into photography, preferably snapshots of people and places. She also portrays herself as a “mood artist”, which means her art depicts her current mood.

Miss Mandaue 2012 Nicole Tuazon was supposed to be the fourth Binibini bet from Cebu, but the 21-year-old engineer backed out despite a successful screening last January.

Although some of this year’s aspirants had participated in other national beauty pageants, all of them are joining Bb. Pilipinas for the first time.

Among those with showbiz connections are ABS-CBN actress and model Pia Wurtzbach (a.k.a. Pia Romero), Starstruck 3 alumna Rhea Nakpil, daughter of actors Christopher De Leon and Sandy Andolong and model Maria Angelica De Leon and former Wil Time Bigtime co-host Cindy Miranda.

Another familiar face, Theresa Marie Fenger (a.k.a. Lana Roi) of the all-girl singing group Eurasia was one of the early favorites. But the 2009 Century Tuna Superbods champion reportedly backed out because she had done a sexy FHM magazine spread. Bb. Pilipinas imposes a rule that girls who’ve done sexy photos for men’s magazines are automatically disqualified. As a result, KC Gonzalez Cajandig from General Santos City replaced her as candidate number 35.

The Bb. Pilipinas 2013 coronation night will be on April 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and telecast live by ABS-CBN. Reigning queens Janine Tugonon, Nicole Schmitz and Katrina Dimaranan will crown their successors. Masters of ceremonies will be Concert King Martin Nievera and veteran actress Dawn Zulueta.

A pageant primer dubbed as the “Golden Road to the Crown” will also be aired this Sunday evening (April 7) on ABS-CBN. (Photos from http://www.bbpilipinas.com/)