Reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens (from left) Emma Mary Tiglao, Bea Patricia Magtanong, Gazini Ganados, Resham Saeed, Aya Abesamis, and Leren Mae Bautista show the ‘equality’ hand sign in solidarity with the International Women’s Day celebration./ARMIN P. ADINA

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES—Once again, in what is becoming a common occurrence, all six reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens came together, this time to share their thoughts about women empowerment in a special program held in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Miss Globe second runner-up Leren Mae Bautista, Miss International Top 8 finalist Bea Patricia Magtanong, Miss Intercontinental semifinalist Emma Mary Tiglao, Miss Universe Top 20 finisher Gazini Ganados, Miss Supranational quarterfinalist Resham Saeed, and Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International Aya Abesamis were all present at the “#EachforEqual” Woman Empowerment Program at the activity area of Gateway Mall at the Araneta City in Quezon City on March 8.

The event officially kicked of Araneta City’s Women’s Month celebration.

Bea Patricia Magtanong took her oath as a lawyer after winning her Binibining Pilipinas crown./ARMIN P. ADINA

The audience, which is mostly made up of women, listened to the queens’ stories about themselves and the women whom they consider to be empowered.

Tiglao noted how empowering it was being surrounded by her fellow delegates at the Miss Intercontinental pageant in Egypt, knowing that all the representatives are strong women coming from different countries. Ganados, for her part, expressed gratitude for her mother, a single parent, who raised her with the help of her grandmother and other female family members.

Saeed, meanwhile, broke barriers as a Muslim woman with her participation in the annual search, while Magtanong pushed the boundaries for women achievers when she took her oath as a lawyer after winning the first beauty pageant she has taken part in.

Bautista showed strength as a woman in the face of bullying as a child, while Abesamis took pride in living independently as a professional Filipino visual artist in the United States.

Resham Saeed is the first Muslim woman to be crowned Binibining Pilipinas Supranational./ARMIN P. ADINA

The program also featured a performance of the Addlib Ladies to the tune of Whitney Houston’s anthem “I’m Every Woman.”

In line with the celebration of Women’s Month, the Araneta City will paint a dedicated “EachforEqual” pedestrian lane, which will be up until March 31.

From March 13 to 15, there will be a Women’s Marketplace, while a Women’s Film Festival is slated on March 13, 20, and 27.

The delegates to this year’s Bb. Pilipinas pageant also took part in their own celebration of Women’s Month. The 40 aspirants participated in an “Empowering Women” seminar at the Cyber Park Tower 1 at the Araneta City on March 6, which was in partnership with the Samahan ng mga Pilipino para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran (SPARK).

The 2020 Bb. Pilipinas coronation night will be staged at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City on May 31. Tickets are already on sale.