Talisay lass crowned Miss Universe PH 2019

BY ARLO CUSTODIO

JUNE 11, 2019

Fashion model Gazini Ganados of Talisay City, Cebu was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2019 by reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray on Sunday night. She will represent the country in the world’s foremost beauty pageant in South Korea later this year.

BIG WIN Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray crowns Gazini Ganados of Talisay City, Cebu,
who won the Binibining Pilipinas-Miss Universe title at the Araneta Center Cubao in Quezon City. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE
The 23-year-old Ganados, who grew up with her grandparents, also received two special awards — Face of Binibini (Miss Photogenic) and Best in Long Gown — at the grand coronation at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

She was chosen by a panel of judges comprised of celebrities, entertainment executives and diplomats headed by Quezon City Mayor-elect Joy Belmonte and crowned an hour past midnight, following proceedings that started around 9 p.m.

It was Granados’ caring and confident answer to ABS-CBN Integrated Events head Bobby Barreiro’s challenging question — “If you win the crown tonight, what will you do to get more women in the workplace?” — that ultimately won her the title.

“If I win the crown tonight, what I will do is to promote my advocacy. My advocacy is for us women to fight for our rights and for the elderly women and for us to know that someone is loving us, someone is pushing us to whatever ambitions that we have. We will be able to rise from our decisions, to whatever dreams that we have, goals that we have, and we will achieve it because of those values, those wisdom that they gave us. Thank you,” she replied.

Another Cebuana also made it to the winners’ circle, with Samantha Lo crowned Binibining Pilipinas-Grand International by last year’s winner, Eva Patalinjug who is also from Cebu.

Crowd and pageantry aficionados’ favorite Bea Patricia Magtanong of Bataan, who previously made news for passing the bar exam, was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-International.

Another frontrunner, Emma Mary Tiglao of Pampanga. was proclaimed Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental, while Rashem Saeed of Maguindanao was crowned
Binibining Pilipinas-Supranational by fellow Mindanaoan, Jehza Huelar of Davao City. With Leren Mae Bautista of Laguna named Binibining Pilipinas Globe, the roster of new queens has been completed.

First Runner-Up was Maria Andrea Abesamis of Pasig City, while Samantha Mae Bernardo of Palawan emerged Second Runner-Up just like she did in last year’s pageant.

Vickie Marie Rushton of Negros Occidental, who was deemed the strongest contender from the start in returning to compete after her First Runner-Up finish last year, surprisingly failed to win a title. Observers attributed her loss to her performance during the Question and Answer portion, which saw her stammering while failing to give a substantial answer within the 30-second allowable time.

This year was the third time that proceedings saw 40 candidates trimmed down to 25 then to 15. Rounding up the Top 15 were April Short of Zamboanga City, Joanna Saad of Dumaguete City, Jessica Marasigan of Malabon, Marianne Marquez of Marikina, Maria Isabela Galeria of Sorsogon and Hannah Arnold of Masbate.

Here is the full list of Special Awards winners: Miss Cream Silk, Vickie Rushton; Best in Long Gown, Gazini Ganados; Best in Swimsuit (awarded by BlueWater Day Spa), Bea Patricia Magtanong; Miss Philippine Airlines, Martina Diaz; Bb. Poten Cee Gandang Palaban, Vickie Rushton; Binibining Megawide, Bea Patricia Magtanong; Jag Denim Queen, Vickie Rushton; Manila Bulletin Readers Choice Award, Vickie Rushton; Miss Talent, Cassandra Chan; Face of Binibini (Miss Photogenic), Gazini Ganados; Miss Friendship, Sherry Ann Tormes; Miss Pizza Hut, Emma Mary Tiglao; Miss Ever Bilena, Vickie Rushton; Miss World Balance, Vickie Rushton; and Pitoy Moreno Best in National Costume, Emma Mary Tiglao.

https://www.manilatimes.net/talisay-lass-crowned-miss-universe-ph-2019/567632/