MANILA, Philippines — Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) will be sending out two beauty queens to represent the country in the Miss Grand International and Miss Globe pageants this October.
Parul Shah, who was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Tourism in 2014, will compete in the 2015 Miss Grand International, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand on October 26.
Meanwhile, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2015 Ann Colis will compete in the 2015 Miss Globe, to which will take place in Toronto, Canada on October 11.
Parul, 25, won her crown during the 2014 Bb. Pilipinas pageant. However, she wasn't able to compete in an international pageant during her reign, thus prompting BPCI to send her to this year's Miss Grand International.
Ann, 22, will be the first Filipina to compete in the Miss Globe pageant.
Both Parul and Ann admitted thinking they won't be able to compete in an international pageant during their reign.
"I really thought it wasn't going to happen," Parul said. "I was about to leave for Dubai for work. But (Stella Marquez-Araneta, Bb. Pilipinas pageant director) gives me a call just in the nick of time. So I'm very excited."
She added: "Since last year, I had to be prepared because any time, any moment pwede akong ipadala sa international pageant."
"Rest assured, I will be one percent prepared. And I hope I will set the trend. (I hope to) bring home the crown," Ann said.
Parul and Ann will be the first among the beauty queens to compete in international beauty pageants this year.
Miss International will be on November 5 in Japan, while Miss World will be held on December 19 in China. Miss Earth will happen on December 5. — Chuck Smith