MANILA, Philippines—This year’s Binibining Pilipinas pageant promises to be very exciting as the competition attracts multiple titleholders who have won crowns not only on the national stage but in international arenas as well.
Forty ladies were presented by the Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) to members of the media on April 22 at the New Frontier Theater at the Araneta City in Quezon City, who will compete for four crowns—Bb. Pilipinas International, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International, and Bb. Pilipinas Globe.
Two of the eventual winners will also inherit the tough job of securing back-to-back victories for the Philippines following the triumph of Miss Intercontinental Cinderella Faye Obeñita in Egypt and Miss Globe Maureen Montagne in Albania last year.
Bb. Pilipinas International Hannah Arnold has yet to see action on the global stage, and is set to compete in the 70th Miss International pageant later this year. Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Panlilio participated in the Miss Grand International competition in Thailand in December last year.
Some of the familiar faces eyeing these reigning queens’ crowns are international winners 2020 Miss Eco Teen International Roberta Tamondong and 2019 Miss Tourism International Cyrille Payumo.
National pageant winners who joined the fray include 2019 Miss Philippines Water and 2020 Miss Bikini Philippines Chelsea Fernandez, 2021 Miss FIT Philippines Yllana Marie Aduana, and 2016 Miss Tourism Philippines Ethel Abellanosa.
Last year’s first runner-up Gabrielle Basiano also stages a comeback along with other returnees Karen Laurrie Mendoza, Graziella Lehman, Jashmin Dimaculangan, Jane Darren Genobisa, and Francesca Taruc.
Former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Diana Mackey and TV host Nicole “Hipon Girl” Budol also made it to the roster.
The 2022 Bb. Pilipinas will be presented to the public in a special “Santacruzan” on May 14 at the Araneta City.