2020 Binibining Pilipinas postponed indefinitely

By Nika Roque
May 28, 2020

The country’s longest-running beauty pageant, Binibining Pilipinas, is postponed indefinitely given the continued threat of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The 2019 winners were (from left): first runner-up Maria Andrea Abesamis, Bb. Pilipinas Globe Leren Mae Bautista, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Lo, Bb. Pilipinas International Bea Patricia Magtanong, Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Resham Saeed, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Mary Tiglao, and second runner-up Samantha Bernardo. The pageant marked the final year the country’s most prestigious beauty pageant would crown a representative to Miss Universe. INSTAGRAM PHOTO

This week, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), under National Director Stella Marquez Araneta, released a statement expressing its adherence to government’s quarantine regulations to guard as much of the population from infection.

The 2020 Binibining Pilipinas candidates went as far as competing in the talent category in February PHOTO FROM BINIBINING PILIPINAS WEBSITE

“BPCI recognizes the present and urgent need to protect the health and safety of the candidates, their families and friends, all the passionate pageant supporters, and the general public. Mindful of the potential and serious risks, BPCI has decided to postpone the Binibining Pilipinas pageant indefinitely.”

This year would have been the 57th edition of the country’s premiere beauty contest. Nevertheless, the organization cited that plans to reschedule pageant activities will depend on ensuing government guidelines in the coming months.

“Rest assured that BPCI still intends to hold the pageant with its partners and sponsors as soon as the situation permits, when the threat of transmission and infection is at its minimum.”

BPCI concluded the statement thanking its supporters and offering prayers for the nation’s health and safety at this difficult time.

This year’s Binibining Pilipinas grand coronation night was originally scheduled on May 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Initial pageant activities were still held in February but were unable to continue when the quarantine was issued in mid-March.

Had this year’s edition pushed through, it would have been the first Binibining Pilipinas pageant in 56 years without crowning a representative to Miss Universe.

BPCI lost the franchise in 2019 to the group of former Miss Universe Philippines 2011 Shamcey Supsup-Lee as national director and beauty queen-maker Jonas Antonio Gaffud as creative directo. Now called the Miss Universe-Philippines Organization (MUP), the group announced earlier this month they will push through with its first edition with strict social distancing and production guidelines with a grand coronation night in October. There will be no live audience allowed during the contest proper but the show will be streamed online.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/28/lifestyle-entertainment/show-times/2020-binibining-pilipinas-postponed-indefinitely/727613/