Only two months have passed since the Philippines successfully hosted the Miss Universe 2016 pageant, but the country is once again on the lookout for the next gorgeous face to represent the Philippines next year. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the new batch of Binibining Pilipinas 2017 candidates!
(Binibining Pilipinas 2017 candidates)
The ladies’ official introduction to the public was held in a sizzling lunch event at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center. Wowing the crowd in their neon bikinis that match summer’s rising temperatures, the candidates opened the event with a dance number that showed off both their curves and poise.
To set themselves apart from the competition, each girl got a chance to strut her stuff on the catwalk before proudly announcing her name and hometown. As they posed and smiled to the delight of the crowd, short introductions about them were read out loud that you can read below.
The event was not just for fun, of course, as it was the girls’ first major opportunity to make lasting impressions on a board of judges composed of none other than Stella Marquez-Araneta, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and other pageant heavyweights.
To make things more exciting, visit www.bbpilipinas.com/vote and choose the candidate who you think is this year’s most photogenic face. It’s the first time that the pageant has allowed the public to vote on this special award!
Follow these girls’ journey to the crown and get to know them better; many of them are both brains and beauty, epitomizing the revamped image of a modern beauty queen.
The Binibining Preliminary Night will be held on April 23 at the Kia Theater where the girls are set to impress and dazzle as they don the national costume. The Grand Coronation will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and is scheduled to take place on April 30.
For updates, following Binibining Pilipinas on Facbook, Twitter and Instagram.
(Stella Marquez-Araneta addresses the audience)
(Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach graces the event)
(Also in attendance were Miss Intercontinental 2015 first runner-up Christy McGarry; Miss Grand International 2016 first Runner-up Nicole Cordoves; Miss Supranational 2015 semifinalist Rogelie Catacutan; and Miss Globe 2016 third runner-up Nichole Manalo)
Bininibini #1: Dane Felisse Marasigan
26-year-old Dane is a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship graduate from De La Salle University, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute and Marchadising in Los Angeles, California.
Binibini #2 Arienne Louise Calingo
24-year-old Arienne Louise is an honor graduate from Georgetown University, Washington DC and currently serves as an Education Ambassador for the US Embassy in Manila.
Binibini #3 Maria Gail Devora Tobes
22-year-old Maria Gail is a Cum Laude graduate from the Unversity of Eastern Philippines and is a doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Binibini #4 Jessica Ramirez
25-year-old Jessica has a Bachelor of Science degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and is a licensed interior designer.
Binibini #5 Joselle Mariano
Joselle is a Tourism major from Cavite State University and a champion swimmer who competed in the Nationals from her elementary to college years.
Binibini #6 Ma. Benjieleen Nama
A BS Psychology degree holder from the University of the East, MJ as she is known to friends, worked as a human resource supervisor in an auditing firm, and has also been hosting a derby program on IBC 13.
Binibini #7 Jennyline Carla Malpaya
25-year-old Jennyline has a Hotel and Restaurant management degree from the University of the East, and hopes to someday pursue her dream of becoming a flight attendant.
Binibini #8 Leitz Camyll Ang
24-year-old Leitz Camyll has a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree from San Beda College, and is a certified public accountant who has been practicing her profession in an accounting firm in Manila.
Binibini #9 Vanessa Saliba
21-year-old Vanessa has a Bachelor of Science in Travel Management degree from Our Lady of Fatima University, and has experience in modeling.
Binibini #10 Jehza Huelar
22-year-old Jehza is a Finance degree holder from Ateneo De Davao University and is currenty an ambassador of the Film Academy of the Philippines, Davao.
Binibini #11 Kimberly Pajares
A nurse who worked for a government hospital for two years, Kimberly was working as a flight attendant for our nation’s flag carrier before competing in this pageant.
Binibini #12 Angelique Celine De Leon
A general manager for a corporate image company, Angelique has successfully gotten herself in shape and improved her self image to fulfill her dream of competing in this prestigious pageant.
Binibini #13 Sirene Sutton
A Marketing Management graduate from Southville International College, Sirene is a professional runway model.
Binibini #14 Sarah Jireh Asido
A University of Santo Tomas graduate with a bachelor degrees in Social Science and a secondary education with a major in social studies, Sarah is a teacher who handles subjects like Personal Development and Philippine Politics and Government.
Binibini #15 Mariel De Leon
She finished high school at Southville International School, after which she moved to New Zealand to take cooking courses and try her hand at living independently.
Binibini #16 Larah Grace Lacap
23-year-old Larah has a Tourism Management degree from San Sebastian College, and was working as a sales and marketing officer for a luxury resort in Palawan before joining the pageant.
Binibini #17 Camille Manalo
Familiar with coming home as a champion, Camille competed at the South East Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia where she took home the gold medal in Taekwondo for the Philippines.
Binibini #18 Nelda Ibe
23-year-old Nelda has has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Tarlac State University and is currently a cadet pilot.
Binibini #19 Rachel Peters
25-year-old Rachel completed her International Baccalaureate at the British School in Phuket, Thailand and has a Bachelor of Business, Tourism and Events major from La Trobe University in Australia.
Binibini #20 Christagale Borja
26-year-old Christa graduated with First Class Honors from St. Mary’s University in London and has worked as a fashion merchandiser for a top fashion boutique before pursuing her ultimate passion of joining beauty pageants.
Binibini #21 Jamaica Ambal
24-year-old Jamaica took up Tourism Management in Polytechnic University of the Philippines and was modeling and working as a flight attendant in a top airlines prior to joining the pageant.
Binibini #22 Chanel Olive Thomas
26-year-old Chanel has a Certificate III in BusinessAdministration, Certificate III and IV in Fitness and is a model, host and aspiring motivational speaker.
Binibini #23 Arah Salientes
A family-oriented young lady who loves to cook, Arah has a Bachelor of Science degree in Travel Management from the University of Santo Tomas, where she finished Cum Laude.
Binibini #24 Dindi Joy Pajares
Dindi, a flight attendant for the national carrier, is joining the pageant with her sister.
Binibini #25 Clarice Marion Villareal
23-year-old Clarice has a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas and has works as a freelance architectural and interior designer who partners with different contractors and engineers.
Binibini #26 Ruffa Nava
A breadwinner who has been supporting her family through while pursuing a career in modeling, Ruffa was working as a telemarketer before she became one of this year’s official candidates.
Binibini #27 Beatrice Valente
24-year-old Beatrice was a scholar who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera Milano.
Binibini #28 Juliana Kapeundl
25-year-old Juliana graduated with Latin honors from the Immaculate Conception College in Batangas and is a certified public accountant currently working in an auditing firm in Bonifacio Global City.
Binibini #29 Karla May Manongsong
A Foreign Service graduate who supported herself through school, she is no stranger to the stage as she has been a freelance model that has been walking runways and doing photo shoots since 2011.
Binibini #30 Mae Liezel Ramos
Living a life of service, Mae Liezel is a licensed nurse from Ateneo de Naga University and is a volunteer for an organization whose mission is focused on helping those affected by HIV.
Binibini #31 Katarina Rodriguez
24-year-old Katarina has a double major of Philosophy and Business Management from De La Salle University, and is a model, cycling instructor and a competitive long distance runner.
Binibini #32 Charmaine Elima
24-year-old Charmaine graduated Cum Laude with an International Hospitality Management degree from Siena College, and has been working as a flight attendant for Philippine Airlines.
Binibini #33 Kristi Rose Cequeña
24-year-old Kristi Rose is an International Studies graduate from San Beda College, Alabang who likes basketball, volleyball and track and field, and has won titles from several local beauty pageants.
Binibini #34 Gabriela Ortega
26-year-old Gabriela has a Masters Degree in Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Spain, and is a European licensed architect.
Binibini #35 Thoreen Halvosen
Known to her friends as Thor, this young lady who grew up on the beaches of Palawan is a graduate student taking up Consular and Diplomatic affairs at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Binibini #37 Sammie Anne Legaspi
A huge fan of garage sales, Sammie Anne is the daughter of volunteer preachers and a former Tourism student at De La Salle Dasmarinas.
Binibini #38 Ana Patricia Asturias
A licensed interior designer, this lovely lass from Leyte, Patrik – as her friends call her – is a “café restaurateur.”
Binibini #39 Elizabeth Durado Clenci
Cebu has been known to produce some of our country’s best musicians, and Elizabeth, who has been a full-time bassist for three years now, is one of them.
