The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) encountered another transition this year as it lost two further franchises, as Miss Grand International is now under the auspices of Alfred Vegafria and the Miss World Philippines Organization and Miss Intercontinental moved back to the Mutya ng Pilipinas organization, now headed by former Miss World Philippines director Cory Quirino. So as far as we know there are currently only two titles at stake in this pageant: Miss International and The Miss Globe. There are some rumors that a third new title will be awarded but that has yet to be fully confirmed so for now, we'll assume that only two titles are at stake.
To make up for the attrition in titles to be offered, the BPCI is trying to sweeten the pot by inviting the reigning Miss International, Germany's Jasmin Selberg, to grace the coronation. She did help boost publicity for this pageant to shore up its prestige.
This pageant has been notorious for encountering withdrawals and/or attrition after the initial roster of candidates have been selected. But this year, the 40 selected Binibinis stood by steadfastly and are in it to the coronation. So let us assess these ladies' prospects of advancing in either Miss International or The Miss Globe.
BINIBINING 01: QUEZON CITY - Juvel Cyrene Bea. She's solid in all aspects but has not been receiving much buzz nor making a standout impression, so it's an uphill battle for her to make the next cut. I - 7.5, TMG - 7.5.
BINIBINING 02: ZAMBALES - Elaiza Dee Alzona. She has an interesting tale about being raised by a single mother when she was younger until her mother remarried and converted to Islam while she remained Catholic. She seems well-spoken and good-looking, though she has not been receiving much buzz so she might be considered a worthwhile contender. I - 8; TMG - 8.
BINIBINING 03: PAMPANGA - Lyra Guina Punzalan. Her press presentation introduction might be a bit overbaked but she's well-spoken and she has been receiving significant buzz that she could be a semifinals possibility. I - 8.5; TMG - 8.5
BINIBINING 04: NAGA CITY, BICOL - Paulina Marie Labayo. I tend to assume that this city is linked to a province (Camarines Sur) but it seems this city has been considered an independent chartered city unlinked with any of the provinces in the Bicol region, so I found the designation unusual and weird at first until I learned about that detail. She's another solid contender who may need a bit more seasoning before becoming a serious contender for the finals. I - 7.5; TMG - 7.5.
BINIBINING 05: PALAYAN CITY, NUEVA ECIJA - Gianna Llanes. She has great looks and is a great communicator especially with her background as a radio DJ and TV host. Her perceived disadvantage is her height as she's only 5'4", but with abundant charisma like she has, she can make judges overcome their resistance towards shorter statures and she can make more serious inroads in the international arena--if Precious Lara Quigaman can pull it off back in 2005 at Miss International, why not her? She seems poised to make the winners' circle. I - 9.5; TMG - 9
BINIBINING 06: PALAWAN - Angelica Lopez. She made the Top 16 in last year's Miss Universe Philippines, so it's possible that se also has an inside track to make the next cut in this pageant, too. She is polished and has a human interest story about rising above her impoverished circumstances. She can indeed be a semifinalist contender. I - 8.5; TMG - 8.5.
BINIBINING 07: PARAÑAQUE - Charmaine Estores. She's attractive and physically polished enough, but it seems she's a bit raw in the communications and advocacy departments, hence she is not deemed a standout and it will be an uphill battle for her to advance. I - 7; TMG - 7.5.
BINIBINING 08: ANGELES CITY - Mirjan Hipolito. She made the Top 16 at Miss Universe Philippines 2021, and on top of strong communication skills she also has made waves with her stage presence. It looks like she has an inside track to make the next cut and maybe even join the winners' circle. I - 9; TMG - 9.
BINIBINING 09: TACLOBAN CITY - Babierna Liong. She tapped on her background as a survivor of Typhoon Yolanda back in 2013 to promote her disaster management advocacy. She may be a bit one of the plainer looking candidates in this batch, but we have to commend her for her advocacy. I - 7.5; TMG - 7.
BINBINING 10: URDANETA CITY, PANGASINAN - Rasha Cortez Al-Enzi. She reported she has received online bullying because she's thicker than most of the candidates in this pageant. So, she can be considered the Siera Bearchell*1 of this batch, though I have a feeling she doesn't have the communication level of Sierra to pull it off and advance further. She's good looking and very solid otherwise. I - 7; TMG - 7.
*1 So named after the 2016 Miss Universe delegate from Canada who received flak for her heftier shape in her Manila stint but had the gab to parlay that controversy to a Top Nine finish.
COMING UP: BINBINING 11 TO 20
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