Mary Jean Lastimosa is new Miss Universe Philippines

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 11 years ago

Winners of the Bb. Pilipinas 2014 pose during the coronation night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum From left are: Hannah Sison, 2nd runner-up; Parul Shah, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism; Kris Janson, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental; Mary Jean Lastimosa, Bb. Pilipinas Universe; Mary Anne Guidotti, Bb. Pilipinas International, Yvethe Marie Santiago, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational; and Laura Lehman, 1st runner-up. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

Bb-Pipilipinas — Winners of the Bb. Pilipinas 2014 pose during the coronation night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum From left are: Hannah Sison, 2nd runner-up; Parul Shah, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism; Kris Janson, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental; Mary Jean Lastimosa, Bb. Pilipinas Universe; Mary Anne Guidotti, Bb. Pilipinas International, Yvethe Marie Santiago, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational; and Laura Lehman, 1st runner-up. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines—North Cotabato native Mary Jean Lastimosa was crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2014 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Sunday night.

An emotional Lastimosa, who also won the Best in Swimsuit award, received her crown from reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler of Venezuela.

Bagging the Bb. Pilipinas International title was Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti from Taguig. The statuesque beauty queen also won Best in Long Gown.

Meanwhile the Bb. Pilipinas Tourism crown was awarded to half-Indian half-Filipino Parul Shah of Pangasinan.

Yvethe Marie Santiago, the 20-year old accountant from Albay, was announced Bb. Pilipinas Supranational.

On the other hand, Kris Janson of Cebu was awarded with the Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental crown. She was also the pageant’s Best in National Costume and Miss Photogenic.

Declared first runner-up was Laura Lehman, and second runner-up was Hannah Sison. Both hailed from Makati.

Other candidates who received a special award were Gabrielle Erika Tilokani for Miss Talent and Racquel Kabigting for Miss Friendship.

It was the third time that the 26-year old Lastimosa joined the pageant, winning second runner-up in 2011 and landing in the Top 12 in 2012.

“Binibining Pilipinas’ Maricar Balagtas is her inspiration for joining the pageant again, because she joined three times before winning. Whenever she feels down, she looks up at her and thinks that if she was able to do it and so can she,” read Lastimosa’s profile at the Bb. Pilipinas website.

Balagtas won the Bb. Pilipinas Universe title in 2004, the third time she joined the contest.

Because of her long experience in the pageant circuit, Lastimosa has developed close friendships with other beauty queens. Last December, she was included in the wedding entourage of her best friend Shamcey Supsup, who finished third runner-up in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant in Brazil.

Lastimosa will compete at the 63^rd Miss Universe pageant later this year.