Note that this forecast, albeit a fearless one, is by no means definitive, as we haven’t seen the delegates in their swimsuits and evening gowns as well as hear them speak. In a field of equally beautiful and shapely young women, the tie breaker is almost always the Q&A portion.
By ALEX Y. VERGARA
Photos by ALEX Y. VERGARA and MAICA FRANCES MAGLIPON
What has been deemed official since last year is now finally official! With the recent debut of 52 lovely young women from all over the country in an afternoon red carpet event at the Manila Hotel, Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) has completely and irreversibly cut its ties with Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), its home for more than 50 years, first as Binibining Pilipinas Universe and later MUP, to chart its own course in the universe of pageantry.
Although BPCI already began the practice of making its delegates wear sashes representing a particular city or province last year, it was still unable to do away with numbers pinned on each woman’s swimsuit, dress and evening gown. Those numbers are now gone and in their place are just sashes with the names of provinces and cities each woman represent from north to south of the country.
But enough of such details, as all eyes were focused on this year’s crop of contestants, 52 women in all, especially the frontrunners—a mix of fresh faces and pageant “veterans” who have either joined (and lost) before or, in the case of volleyball player-slash-sportscaster Michelle Gumabao, Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2018, already won a smaller title.
Even the attractive Alaiza Malinao of Davao City has joined Binibining Pilipinas before, while Bella Ysmael of Parañaque was of one Century Tuna’s Superbods during a previous edition of the contest. The same is true of Sandra “Build, Build, Build” Lemonon, a frontrunner during Catriona Gray’s time, whose valiant efforts collapsed during the Q&A portion.
What pushed Michelle and perhaps a few others who have already won minor titles in the past to risk their reputations? Two words. Miss Universe! Without a doubt, the US-based beauty contest still remains the most prestigious “beau con” of its kind in the world. And owing to the
pageant’s name recall and brand equity among Filipinos, past Miss Universe Philippines winners—from Gloria Diaz to Catriona Gray—enjoy long, lucrative and successful careers in whatever field they choose to engage in after their respective reigns.
But we digress. In no particular order, here are 18 of PeopleAsia’s early top picks to earn a chance to win the crown: Quezon City, Parañaque, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Taguig, Cebu Province, Cebu City, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Biliran, Iloilo City, Batangas, Cavite, Bohol, Palawan, Makati and Pampanga.
Note that this forecast, albeit a fearless one, is by no means definitive, as we haven’t seen the delegates in their swimsuits and evening gowns as well as hear them speak their minds out. In a field of equally beautiful and shapely young women, the tie breaker is almost always the Q&A portion.
They should perhaps take their cue from Miss Universe Philippines 2011 Shamcey Supsup, MUP’s first-ever national director. A reluctant candidate weeks before the national contest, Shamcey, the originator of the celebrated “Tsunami Walk,” once she had made up her mind, dove into training—from makeup to catwalk to Q&A—with such intensity that she eventually won the title in Manila before placing third runner-up later that year in Brazil.
For his part, beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud, MUP’s creative director, promised to give beau con fans a series of fashion shows, including a swimsuit show, before this year’s search culminates in the finals on May 3 at the SM-Mall of Asia Arena.
“We have a lot of other things to do after this presentation,” said Jonas, when asked what makes MUP different from other national beauty contests. “We have also scheduled a lot of trainings for the girls in the coming weeks.”
“Apart from our promise to make it more inclusive by including representatives from various parts of the Philippines, we also want to promote sustainable tourism,” he added. “Sorry, we won’t have a poolside swimsuit press presentation because we have a different way of doing things. We have a swimsuit competition in the contest. Before that we also have a fashion week featuring a swimsuit show.”
There’s only one title up for grabs, Jonas admits, “but the runners-up would also get their respective crowns. They will also have their respective titles. We are also lining up a lot of work for them in relation to their chosen advocacies.” MUP also promises this year’s winner and her court the biggest prizes ever in the history of Philippine beauty pageants. The winner will even get her own apartment and chauffeured car to take her to official engagements during her reign.
“Of course, we’re looking for someone who could represent MUP well in the international arena,” he said. “Be a good example for young women, someone who’s strong and could embody the modern Filipina.”
The way he sees it, the beauty queen mold, if there ever was one, doesn’t exist anymore. Gone are the days when, say, 
blonde, blue-eyed beauties are sure to do well in a contest. A lot of girls, based on the 52 contestants who made the cut this year, are either “pure Filipinas” or of mixed race.
“It doesn’t matter, really, what your ethnicity is” he concluded, “as long as you can represent the Philippines the best way you can. There’s no longer one particular standard of beauty.”
