LIST: Binibining Pilipinas 2018 winners, special awards, highlights
Bb. Pilipinas 2018 winners were crowned at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on March 18. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
MANILA, Philippines — “Every Binibini is an artwork.”
Such was how the 2017 Binibining Pilipinas queens introduced art and beauty as the themes of the 2018 coronation night held on March 18 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The event started with a celebration of last year’s Binibini winners who took home top prizes from international pageants: Miss Universe Top 10 finalist 2017 Rachel Peters; Bb. Pilipinas International 2017 Mariel de Leon; Miss Intercontinental 1st runner-up Katarina Rodriguez; Miss Grand International 2017 2nd runner-up Elizabeth Clenci; Miss Supranational 2017 Top 10 finalist Chanel Olive Thomas; and Miss Globe 2017 1st runner-up Nelda Ibe.
This year’s 40 candidates then introduced themselves one by one after a traditional pageant dance number. All of them were in uniform black swimsuits with floral tunics.
“I’m loving the energy,” said one of the hosts, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, as she entered with co-host Richard Gutierrez. “Pinoys are the best and most enthusiastic pageant fans in the universe!”
Pia and Richard then introduced Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordovez as co-host.
Pia said that this year’s pageant pays tribute to all Filipino artists “because we’ll not become a Binibini without looking like an art.”
First ever Pitoy Moreno National Costume Award
According to Nicole, to honor Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, the so-called “Fashion Czar of Asia,” first Filipino power designer, master of the Maria Clara, and a marketing maverick, the pageant renamed the National Costume award after him.
The first ever Pitoy Moreno National Costume Award went to Catriona Elisa Gray. Her Mindanao-inspired costume was designed by Jearson Demavivas.
READ: WATCH: Binibining Pilipinas 2018 top 10 Best in National Costume
Special awards
Special awards were given to Catriona Gray, Samantha Mae Bernardo, Marie Sherry Ann Tormes and Eva Psychee Patalinjug. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
Gray was also awarded the other special awards such as Jag Denim Queen and Miss Ever Bilena.
Manila Bulletin Reader's Choice award went to Samantha Mae Bernardo.
Marie Sherry Ann Tormes was hailed as Miss Friendship and Miss Talent.
The Face of Binibini (Miss Photogenic) winner is Eva Psychee Patalinjug.
Second year to cut finalists from 40 to 25
Pia said this is the second year the pageant has trimmed down the finalists from top 40 to top 25 (in no particular order):
- 4 – Ana Patricia Asturias
- 7 – Sigrid Grace Flores
- 8 – Shane Quintana Tormes
- 9 – Agatha Lei Romero
- 10 – Kayesha Chua
- 13 – Kristie Rose Cequena
- 23 – Ena Velasco
- 34 – Mary Joy De Castro
- 37 – Patrizia Garcia
- 39 – Trixia Marie Marana
- 3 – Murielle Adrienne Orais
- 11 – Maria Andrea Abesamis
- 15 – Juliana Kapeundl
- 21 – Anjame Magbitang
- 24 – Edjelyn Joy Gamboa
- 26 – Wynonah Van Joy Buot
- 35 – Sandra Lemonon
- 20 – Catriona Elisa Gray
- 17 – Maria Ahtisa Manalo
- 31 – Jehza Mae Huelar
- 32 – Eva Psychee Patalinjug
- 38 – Karen Juanita Gallman
- 19 – Michele Theresa Gumabao
- 1 – Vickie Marie Rushton
- 14 – Samantha Mae Bernardo
Gumabao, a volleyball star, was last called on the top 25.
Judges introduced
This year’s judges were:
- Edgar Saavedra - Megawide Construction Chairman
- Mike Brown - Novotel Hotels General Manager
- Gerald Anderson – actor
- Alyssa Valdez - volleyball star
- Martin Lopez - Chief Technology Officer, ABS-CBN Corporation
- Thirdy Ravena – basketball star
- H.E. Victor Hugo Echiverri - Columbian Ambassador to the Philippines
- Precious Lara Quigaman – actress and Miss International 2005
- Ces Oreña-Drilon — ABS-CBN Lifestyle Ecosystem Head and news anchor
- H.E. Sung Kim – US Ambassador to the Philippines
Swimwear competition
Young recording star Inigo Pascual serenaded the top 25 finalists as they ramped in yellow two-piece bikinis with embroidered piña tunics designed by Domz Ramos.
Betsy Westendorp Brias tribute, long gown competition
To reinforce the pageant’s art and beauty theme, the hosts paid tribute to artist Betsy Westendorp Brias and fashion designer and fashion show director Raymond Villanueva.
Westendorp’s signature orchid paintings and portraits of women were flashed at the backdrop of the long gown competition, where the contestants showcased their grace and elegant theatrics in carrying floor-sweeping serpentine gowns and capes designed by Filipino artists.
More special awards
In an audio-visual presentation, the finalists said more about themselves and their passions.
Orais had an open-heart surgery, and she wears the scar on her chest as a badge of her strength.
De Castro is a news anchor from Davao, while Bernardo is a folk dance troupe president.
Rushton, a former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate, has a brother with Down’s syndrome.
Gumabao is also a Habitat for Humanity and Virlanie ambassador, while Gray advocates for free education.
Patalinjug saved up from her profession as a nurse to be able to send herself to law school.
More special awards were given:
- Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown: Catriona Elisa Gray
- Miss Philippine Airlines: Murielle Adrienne Orais
- Miss Cream Silk: Michele Theresa Gumabao
The second round of special awards were given to Catriona Gray, Murielle Adrienne Orais, and Michele Theresa Gumabao. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
Top 15
From 25, the top 15 were revealed:
- 3 – Murielle Adrienne Orais
- 11 – Maria Andrea Abesamis
- 15 – Juliana Kapeundl
- 21 – Anjame Magbitang
- 24 – Edjelyn Joy Gamboa
- 26 – Wynonah Van Joy Buot
- 35 – Sandra Lemonon
- 20 – Catriona Elisa Gray
- 17 – Maria Ahtisa Manalo
- 31 – Jehza Mae Huelar
- 32 – Eva Psychee Patalinjug
- 38 – Karen Juanita Gallman
- 19 – Michele Theresa Gumabao
- 1 – Vickie Marie Rushton
- 14 – Samantha Mae Bernardo
Gumabao and Gray were announced next to each other, making the audience choose between Team Catriona or Team Michele.
Q&A
During the question and answer portion, the contestants showed their wit in answering questions under pressure.
Though some stumbled or failed to provide an answer, others did not disappoint, particularly the fan favorites Gumabao and Gray.
READ: FULL TEXT: Binibining Pilipinas 2018 Top 15 finalists’ Q&A
The 2016 queens saying goodbye before passing on their crowns to end their reign. Philstar.com/Kat Leandicho
Winners
Before announcing the new winners, the 2016 queens made their final walk; their final audio message of thanks and tips played on the background.
Due to impressive Q&A answers, the following have been chosen as this year’s Bb. Pilipinas winners who will represent the country in pageants abroad:
Miss Universe Philippines 2018: Catriona Elisa Gray
Bb. Pilipinas-International 2018: Maria Ahtisa? Manalo
Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational 2018: Jehza Mae Huelar
Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International 2018: Eva Psychee Patalinjug
Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2018: Karen Juanita Gallman
Bb. Pilipinas-Globe 2018: Michele Theresa Gumabao
Bb. Pilipinas 2018 1st Runner-up: Vickie Marie Rushton
Bb. Pilipinas 2018 2nd Runner-up: Samantha Mae Bernardo — Reports from Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
RELATED: Shades of Gray: Catriona sweeps Binibining Pilipinas awards
FULL LIST: Binibining Pilipinas 2018 winners’ prizes
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