| 
| 
| |
30/07/2022
426 | 
0
Published July 30, 2022, 8:03 AM by Annalyn S. Jusay
From left: Meiji Cruz, 2nd runner-up; Samantha Panlilio, Binibining Grand International; Maureen Montagne, Binibining Pilipinas Globe; Cinderella Obenita, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental; and Hannah Arnold, Binibining Pilipinas International. (Photo by Bruce Casanova)
As the excitement builds up for the 58th edition of Bb. Pilipinas 2022 on July 31, it’s nice to look back at the preceding pageant in 2021 that was truly EPIC on so many counts. No coronation night was held in 2020 as the country was reeling from the harsh effects of the Covid1-19 pandemic and the strict health protocols in place. When the pageant was finally staged again on July 11, 2021 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, there was so much excitement and anticipation from everyone.
The long wait was well-deserved because two crowned Queens of the 57th Bb. Pilipinas were proclaimed winners in international pageants, further cementing the country’s reputation as a pageant powerhouse.
Cinderella Faye “Cindy” Obeñita impressed the judges and bested 70 other candidates to bring home the crown in Miss Intercontinental 2021 held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. She followed the footsteps of another Filipina beauty queen, Karen Gallman, who was crowned in 2018.
Cindy’s victory in October was followed by Maureen Montagne’s proclamation as Miss Globe 2021 in Tirania, Albania over a field of 40 contestants. The back-to-back wins of the two proved to one and all that Bb. Pilipinas will always be that one true prestigious source which can showcase Filipina beauty to the whole world.
In the meantime, Samantha Panlilio of Cavite competed in Miss Grand International 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. No Miss International was held in 2021 due to health restrictions but Bb. Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold is looking forward to participating in the global pageant which is now scheduled on Dec. 13, in Tokyo, Japan.
As they are ending one year of their reign and are about to crown their successors on July 31, the four Bb. Pilipinas 2021 titleholders sat down with Manila Bulletin Entertainment to look back at their memorable experience and their key takeaways or lessons from joining, which they hope present and future candidates will learn from. We wish to thank the Bb. Pilipinas PR office for their assistance in the interview.
MB Entertainment: Now that your reign is about to end, what will you miss the most about being a Bb. Pilipinas titleholder?
SAMANTHA: What I will miss most about Binibini is of course the sisterhood and the relationships that I built with my fellow candidates and my peers. And of course the team behind Binibini, the organization which made the shows possible and made the experience very much worthwhile. These are friends I now consider as family and am just grateful for being given the opportunity thus far.
HANNAH : The Miss International pageant is fast approaching. There are so many preparations I need to do. Mostly I need to work on my pasarela but also immersing myself in the community with my advocacies..I really want my speech in that Miss International stage to be the most memorable, I want it to be a speech that calls for action and gives inspiration. I want it to come from my interactions with the community. This is my biggest preparation for Miss International.
MAUREEN: I am going to miss the sisterhood and everyone from Binibining Pilipinas organization. It’s been such a wonderful experience, they’ve made my journey the journey of a lifetime. Am really going to miss all of the legacy and the class that comes with being a Binibini queen.
CINDY: Oh my god, so many things that i will miss here in Binibining Pilipinas, napakarami. But most of all it would have to be the bond that i created with the girls. We competed for almost two years. we’re the pandemic batch of Bb Pilipinas. We formed so many bonds that we would forever treasure for the rest of our lives.
MB Entertainment: What’s your most memorable moment as a Bb. Pilipinas titleholder?
HANNAH : Most memorable would definitely be the sisterhood. Actually, for this year. The hashtag is #BinibiniSisterhood which is very fitting. I am going to miss the girls that I reigned with so much, but I know that I am going to make new friends with the new batch. Over the years am still in contact with all the Binibinis I shared the stage with, all of the staff, all of the people behind the scenes … that’s the most memorable thing of being a Binibini. It’s something that not everyone can relate to, but when you find those amazing people backstage with you, you’re very lucky.
SAMANTHA: If I had to pick from one of the many memorable moments that I had being a Binibini, it would have to be the coronation night because it was the most magical night that happened to me so far. Ever since that night, I’ve felt that my life has changed and I’ve really grown as a woman, especially competing in Thailand and just discovering what it means to be a Filipina and what it means to be a Binibini.
MAUREEN: My most memorable moment would have to be our interview with Tito Boy because I was so nervous to talk to the King of Talk, but he really disarmed us, and it ended up being my most memorable experience because it was like talking to a friend.
CINDY: Most memorable would have to be during the coronation night because that for me was the life-changing moment. I wasn’t a frontrunner when I competed in Binibini and this is what I want future girls to instill in their mind. Hot picks? It won’t matter for as long as you stay focused on your performance, in your trainings . Just do your best and know that on coronation night, it’s gonna be anyone’s ball game. And in Binibini, it’s always 50 per cent performance and 50 per cent destiny.
MB Entertainment : What are the important lessons you’ve learned from your reign?
HANNAH: I learned more about myself. I am still trying to learn more language, more about provinces so by interacting with everyone, am learning so so much. I’ve learned that I still have a lot more to learn (laughs).
Even after this reign, I will still be learning because am a very curious person. What I really learned is there’s so much relevance in pageantry for the good of the community, so please keep on listening to us while we advocate and do our thing.
SAMANTHA: I have learned that in every step that you make, you have to always remember you are not just representing yourself. You are representing your supporters, your fans, your team, your family. And most importantly, if you do win a crown, you’re not just representing yourself but the Philippines as well.
MAUREEN: I’ve learned that it’s not about the destination, but the journey. We had a really unorthodox pageant with Covid and the pandemic. It was really fun to almost compete twice: one when I was nervous and the other when I had nothing to lose, and I just left it all on the stage.
CINDY : So many learnings and on top of it, you have to be grateful. Always be grateful of the people that helped you come this far, be grateful to the organization for all the learnings that they have imparted, most especially when we competed abroad. Thanks so much for the financial, mental, emotional support. BPCI is home of limitless superlatives, I should say. Am always grateful to the organization as they helped me grow as a woman.
MB Entertainment : What pieces of advice can you give present and future Binibini candidates?
HANNAH: Look deep into your heart, look at the reason why you joined so that every day when you’re in an activity, when you’re feeling tired, you have to remind myself why you joined. That’s your own personal, unique story. On the days when I am feeling down, I just have to look back and remember why I joined, and that becomes my motivation through everything. Remember to just be yourself because this is your journey as a Binibini.
SAMANTHA: My message is to always remember why you are here. Always be yourself, stay humble, always stay grounded and remember the people behind you. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to invest the most in yourself, so take advantage of that. Make connections and most importantly have fun!
MAUREEN : My advice to future Binibinis is to show up like you already won your crown, you are already a queen, so make the most of your time. The stage gives you the most wonderful platform, so take advantage of every second.
CINDY: Competing in Bb. Pilipinas can be draining because of the many activities. My only advice is for you to know your purpose why you are competing and who you are competing for because once you know the answers to the questions, it will sustain your energy.
MB Entertainment : Can you share with us your plans after your reign?
HANNAH : I hope to come back with the crown for the Philippines. I will still be focusing on being an ambassador with the Department of Science and Technology. They’re inviting me to take part in their forensic science labs all over the country. I will probably be in a lab with a lab coat and crown. I will focus on science and technology.
SAMANTHA : I will go back to my family business, which I am currently doing now as well.I also intend to start two new companies which will resonate with my experience in Binibini and I hope it will blossom in the same way as my time in Binibini.
MAUREEN: My future plan involves show business so please keep a lookout, follow me on all my social media pages @maureenmontagne. I have some exciting things coming up for you all.
CINDY: We still have a long way to go with Miss Intercontinental. My reign is gonna be long, it’s gonna end in October. Am so happy with opportunities coming my way. I have so many hosting stints, thank you to BPCI for exposing me in this field. Aside from the hosting stints, the judging stints as well and the personality development trainings with the girls starting their journey in pageantry. Am also working in government so am very exposed to the girls competing at the municipal level. I will be very happy to be their ate, to help them and impart my knowledge to them
MB Entertainment: Your fans would like to hear from you. Any message for them?
HANNAH: To all my fans, the Hannah Bees, ako your Queen Bee is so, so grateful that you are still with me in the journey. When you smile, take a picture with me, when you comment… It means so much to me that you are still here. So please keep on praying, and soon we will head to the 60th Miss International together.
SAMANTHA : I am overly grateful for all of your support. I remember each one of you, especially when I was just a Binibini No 1 from Cavite. I will never forget you and just thank you from the bottom of my heart. There are no other words I can say, I am just super grateful.
MAUREEN: Thank you for your unwavering support, I could not have done this without you. You all boosted me up and helped me. I owe everything to you, so thank you so much to my fans, my team, my family. I love you all endlessly.
CINDY: Know that I wouldn’t be here as Miss Intercontinental if not for your relentless support, if not for your sleepless nights, if not for your 24/7 internet connection during my competition in Egypt. Maraming maraming salamat from the bottom of my heart. You stayed with me in this battle, I will forever treasure our moments together.
Now that you’re done supporting me in my pageant journey, I do hope you support the girls competing soon.
To all the pageant fans, maraming salamat for your dedication, most importantly, your passion, You are keeping Philippine pageantry alive.
COMENTÁRIOS - Clique aqui para fazer o seu
