The Essence of Being a Binibini

Of course, everybody’s favorite portion of the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant (or any beauty contest for that matter) is the swimsuit competition where the candidates display to advantage their rich natural resources, turning this way and that way, smiling here and there, waving and blowing kisses as they glide down a winding staircase on high heels (Ooops! Careful now. One wrong step and...remember Miriam Quiambao during the 1999 Miss Universe Pageant in Trinidad-Tobago?) while the host (usually Paolo Bediones) rattles off the ladies’ vital statistics.

Me? I enjoy watching the Question and Answer portion where the candidates, knees shaking but still smiling widely and waving casually, blowing more kisses to the audience, are grilled in a mental calisthenics, oftentimes grappling not only with nervousness but with their grammar, mixing their tenses and numbers, rambling on and on when one or two sentences would suffice. (According to Gloria Diaz, the country’s first Miss Universe, 1969, "It’s not really your answer that counts but how you answer." You know, you’ve got to have poise and, bear in mind, avoid stammering even for a second.)

Two Sundays ago, the three new (2005) Bb. Pilipinas beauties were chosen at another glamour-and-glitter affair at the Araneta Coliseum, namely:

• Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Gionna Jimenez Cabrera, 22 (Aug. 28, 1982), taking up Marketing and Advertising at the University of Asia and the Pacific. Her father, Rod Cabrera, is a general manager and a CEO; and her mother, Nida Jimenez, is a businesswoman. A member of the PMAP (Professional Models Association of the Philippines), Gionna stands 5’9.5", weighs 125 lbs. and measures 34-25-35. She’s competing in the Miss Universe Pageant in Thailand next month.

• Bb. Pilipinas-International Precious Lara Quigaman, 22 (Jan. 3, 1983), who graduated with a VCE Media Comm. & Production degree from Filton College in Bristol, England (where her nurse mother, Princesita Quigaman, works; her father, Nelson Quigaman, is a bus driver). She stands 5’5.5", weighs 100 lbs. and measures 33-23-34. She’s a second-timer in the Binibini search, having competed in 2001 (the year before that, Lara joined the TeeVee Babe and Circle of 10 contests). She will compete in the Miss International contest in October, to be held in Beijing.

• Bb. Pilipinas-World Carlene Ang Aguilar, 23 (Feb. 8, 1982), a B.A. Art Studies graduate from UP. Her father, Raul Aguilar, is a businessman and her mother, Catharin Ang, is a real estate broker. She stands 5’9", weighs 129 lbs. and measures 34-24-35.5. As Miss Philippines Earth in 2001, Carlene represented the country in that year’s Miss Earth contest. Last year, she was picked by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza as Miss Chinatown and competed in the Miss Chinatown International contest in Hong Kong. She will compete in the Miss World contest in Sanya, China, in December.

Conversations gathered the three Binibinis at the Oasis (Floating) Restaurant in the newly opened Gateway Mall at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City, for another Q and A session in which they were asked to answer a dozen questions usually asked in beauty contests. You be the judge who among the three scores the highest (on a scale of one to 10).

How relevant are beauty contests today?

Gionna: Beauty contests show and portray how women could really be up to be. Some feminists may be against beauty contests but that’s their opinion. They are entitled to it like everybody else is entitled to her own opinion. As a beauty queen, I must express myself in my best physical form and at the same time exercise a good mental projection. She should be well-rounded, not only good to look physically but good to listen to.

Carlene: Beauty contests have become a forum for showing not only how beautiful but also how talented Filipino women are. The contests also foster friendship among the contestants.

Lara: Beauty contests are relevant then and now because they open opportunities for women not only in the Philippines but in other parts of the world.

How would you lure tourists to the Philippines in the face of travel advisories issued by a few countries (like the US, Australia and New Zealand)?

Gionna: First and foremost, we should concentrate on the strengths of our country. For instance, we have excellent tourists spot, from the caves in Subic and Mt. Banahaw (in Quezon) to our lakes (Taal) and volcanos (Mayon, etc.). We also have beautiful beaches and they should prove attractive to foreigners who love the sea.

Carlene: We should make our promo campaign abroad more aggressive. We need to improve our image abroad. After the tsunami in December last year, the tourism industries of the affected countries suffered a bit, including that of Thailand. But look, they’re holding this year’s Miss Universe Pageant in Thailand and that should give a boost to that country’s tourism industry.

Lara: I agree with Carlene. I think we should put out more advertisements abroad showcasing our scenic spots. We should let foreigners know that our country is beautiful and it’s safe for them to come and visit.

Do you think that women today are on equal footing with men?

Gionna: I believe that the status of women has been raised to the same level with men. Congress is in the process of passing the Women Rights Bill and that’s a good sign. Even in the work force, women holds positions previously reserved only for men.

Carlene: Women are constantly striving to improve their role in society. They have accomplished a lot, especially in politics. Look, the President of our country is a woman (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo).

Lara: The fact that the President of the Philippines is a woman proves that women, specifically Filipino women, are on equal footing with (Filipino) men. Personally, I’m not for chivalry. You know, I don’t like a man opening a door for me and pulling a chair for me. That makes me feel helpless.

What’s your stand on birth control?

Gionna: I’m pro-life. We are a Catholic country and it’s understandable if some people oppose birth control. But I do think that birth control is an effective way of population control.

Carlene: I’m also pro-life. As a devoted Catholic, I’m not in favor of the use of birth-control pills. But then, if that’s the only way to control the population, by all means let’s do it!

Lara: I don’t see anything wrong in birth control. If people need to do it, they should do it.

What qualities do you want in a man?

Gionna: Somebody who can carry a good conversation...somebody intelligent and well-cultured. And with a sense of humor. Since I’m morena, I would prefer somebody with a fair complexion so we’ll complement each other, maybe the Caucasian type.

Carlene: God-fearing. Faithful. Chinito like Cholo on the Korean soap Stairway to Heaven. Taller than me, of course!

Lara: Any man is good enough for me as long as he’s okay in every way.

Who’s the most unforgettable character you’ve met?

Gionna: Many people can touch your life, but the one that I distinctly remember is Sen. Loren Legarda. I met her in 2001 at the backstage of the Araneta Coliseum during the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant. I was there to give my friend (a candidate) moral support. Sen. Loren was among the judges. She smiled at me and shook my hand; she mistook me for one of the candidates. I didn’t expect a senator like her to be so friendly.

Carlene: Mr. Rodgil Flores, our mentor during the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant. He taught us everything – how to walk, how to answer questions, how to be graceful at all times; he trained us to be what we are now, to be good beauty queens.

Lara: Sam Wile, my college teacher at Filton College. He’s a journalist. I learned a lot from him.

If you were somebody else, who would you be?

Gionna: I’m happy and contented with myself. But if and when, just in case, I’d like to be Catherine Zeta-Jones, one of the most beautiful women not only in Hollywood but in the world and married to one of the most brilliant actors (Michael Douglas) in the world.

Carlene: GMA. I want to find out how it feels to carry the burden of solving the country’s numerous problems.

Lara: Demi Moore. No explanation necessary.

If you were stranded in an island, who or what would you have for company?

Gionna: My best friend. We won’t run out of things to talk about. It would be more of an adventure than an inconvenience. And, of course, a Rosary.

Carlene: My future husband, whoever he may be. Para masaya kami. And The Bible to strengthen my faith in God.

Lara: Yes, my future partner, too, and The Bible.

If ever you join showbiz, what role will you want to play and who’s your preferred leading man?

Gionna: I’m open to any role so I’ll find out where I’m good at. That will also help me learn. Leading man? Si Jude Law lang naman, my all-time favorite.

Carlene: A kontrabida. It would be challenging because I’ve never been a kontrabida in (real) life. I’m not a bad girl. Leading man? Piolo Pascual, my ultimate crush.

Lara: Any kind of role, preferably kontrabida. Parang it’s more challenging to play a kontrabida than a bida. Leading man? Anybody.

If you were GMA, what do you think are the three most pressing problems in the country and how do you plan to solve them?

Gionna: Terrorism, the educational system and infrastructure. How to solve them? Stricter implementation of the laws of which we have more than enough. Better pay for teachers so they’ll be inspired in their work.

Carlene: Poverty, terrorism and, yes, the educational system. First, I’ll raise the needed amount to solve all these problems without borrowing from other countries. Ang dami na nating utang, di ba?

Lara: Peace and order, poverty and the educational system. I’ll ask the rich to help me solve the problems. The haves should help the have-nots.

What is the essence of being a woman?

Gionna: Being more sensitive to the affection of a man. Being able to try more roles in society. Being a woman of God, with strong convictions and faith.

Carlene: Being a mother. It’s in having children that a woman becomes fulfilled.

Lara: I believe that the essence of being a woman is being a good mother, a good daughter, a good sister and a good friend to everyone.

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