Binibining Pilipinas legacy: The Filipina beauty queen is back on the international stage

PART 2 of 2

Part 1: The Binibining Pilipinas legacy through the decades

If the year 2000s were the “dark ages” in Binibining Pilipinas history, then the 2010s is the “renaissance” or the golden decade of Bb. Pilipinas.

It all started with Venus Raj, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010, whose reign started with a dethronement and the subsequently reinstatement of her title. Thank goodness for that because it was Venus who reignited the Philippines’ love for pageantry, particularly Miss Universe. The entire nation cheered for Venus the moment she was called into the semifinals and that alone was a victory. She would go on to become 4th runner-up but she was celebrated and paraded as if she had won.

Little did we know that it the beginning of “major, major” wins for the Philippines.

After Venus, we had three consecutive runner-up finishes from 2011-2013. We came so close and could almost feel the victory in 2012 as Janine Tugonon held hands with Olivia Culpo (USA), waiting for the announcement. We had to settle for 1st runner-up.

After 42 years of waiting, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was able to bring back the much coveted Miss Universe crown in the most spectacular fashion. The controversial coronation catapulted Pia into the pop culture scene in the US and around the world. Safe to say, her crowning was probably the most watched Miss Universe crowning in history.

After Pia won, the Filipinos were already quite content with merely continuing the streak. The back to back in 2016 was almost out of the question because the Philippines hosted Miss Universe 2016.

Three short years later, suddenly the nation was extremey hopeful once more that there was an impending victory in Miss Universe in the person of Catriona Gray. Catriona was already endeared to many Filipinos, since she represented the country in Miss World 2016. Her devastating loss prompted many to seek redemption through Miss Universe.

So, when Catriona submitted her Bb. Pilipinas application form in 2018, there was no stopping her. She annihilated the competition all the way in Miss Universe – her “lava walk” is aptly named.

Winners and placements:

Miss Universe 2010 — Venus Raj, 4th runner-up

Miss Universe 2011 —  Shamcey Supsup, 3rd runner-up

Miss Universe 2012 — Janine Marie Tugonon, 1st runner-up

Miss Universe 2013 — Ariella Arida, 3rd runner-up

Miss Universe 2014  —  Mary Jean Lastimosa, Top 10

Miss Universe 2015  —  Pia Wurtzbach, winner

Miss Universe 2016 —  Maxine Medina, Top 6

Miss Universe 2017 —  Rachel Peters, Top 10

Miss Universe 2018 — Catriona Gray, winner

In Miss International, the country has also been very strong with two wins in one decade.

Bea Rose Santiago, Miss International 2013 was the first Binibini to win a major international title since 2005 when Precious Lara Quigaman won the same crown. Three years later, Kylie Verzosa wowed the Japanese and won the 6th Miss International crown for the Philippines.  Interestingly, both their successors did not advance to the semifinals, which were the only years that the Philippines missed the cut during this decade.

 

 

Up until 2018, the Philippines had been unable to capture the Miss Grand International and Miss Intercontinental crown. On January 26, 2019, Karen Gallman became the first Filipina to win the MIss Intercontinental crown – and she did it in her home country.

Winners and placements: 

Miss International 2010 —  Krista Kleiner,  Top 15

Miss International 2011  — Dianne Necio, Top 15

Miss International 2012 —  Nicole Schmitz, Top 15

Miss International 2013 —  Bea Rose Santiago, winner

Miss International 2015 —  Janicel Lubina, Top 10

Miss International 2016 —  Kylie Verzosa, winner

Miss International 2018 — Ahtisa Manalo, 1st runner-up

Miss Intercontinental 2014 —  Kris Tiffany Janson, 2nd runner-up

Miss Intercontinental 2015 —  Christi Lynn McGarry, 1st runner-up

Miss Intercontinental 2016  — Jennifer Ruth Hammond,  Top 15

Miss Intercontinental 2017 —  Katarina Rodriguez, 1st runner-up

Miss Intercontinental 2018 —  Karen Gallman, winner

 

We also should note the historic wins of Miss Supranational 2013 Mutya Datul and Miss Globe 2015 Ann Lorraine Colis because they are the first Filipinas to capture these titles.

Winners and placements:

Miss Supranational 2012 — Elaine Kay Moll, 3rd runner-up

Miss Supranational 2013 — Mutya Johanna Datul, winner

Miss Supranational 2014 — Yvethe Marie Santiago, Top 20

Miss Supranational 2015  — Rogelie Catacutan, Top 20

Miss Supranational 2016 — Joanna Louise Eden, Top 25

Miss Supranational 2017 —Chanel Olive Thomas, Top 10

Miss Supranational 2018 — Jehza Huelar, Top 10 

 

Miss Grand International 2013 —Annalie Forbes, 3rd runner-up

Miss Grand International 2015 — Parul Shah,  3rd runner-up

Miss Grand International 2016  — Nicole Cordoves, 1st runner-up

Miss Grand International 2017 — Elizabeth Clenci, 2nd runner-up

Miss Globe 2015 — Ann Colis, winner

Miss Globe 2016  — Nichole Marie Manalo, 3rd runner-up

Miss Globe 2017 —  Nelda Ibe, 1st runner-up

Miss Globe 2018 —  Michele Theresa Gumabao, Top 15

 

 

A quick glance at the 6 decades of Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. and all the women that have graced the Bb. Pilipinas stage, one realizes the impacy of this pageant – to an entire nation, its people and its history.

It has allowed many young Filipinas to dream big. It’s also showcased the best of the Filipina to the world. Through its charitable works all these years, hundreds of thousands of lives have been touched by beauty that is beyond the physical.

It is a beauty that comes from within, is felt in ones heart and resonates for a lifetime. — Rappler.com

 

Voltaire has 10 years experience in the fashion industry. He previously worked with a luxury clothing and accessories brand in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated magna cum laude from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, major in Fashion Design. He also holds a BS in Applied Economics and BS in Marketing from DLSU. He is now doing real estate but finds ample spare time to pursue his passions.

 

Check out Rappler’s coverage of Binibining Pilipinas 2019 here: 

• LIVE UPDATES: Binibining Pilipinas 2019 coronation night
• Binibining Pilipinas 2019: Who’s our best bet?
• The Binibining Pilipinas legacy through the decades
• Binibining Pilipinas legacy: The Filipina beauty queen is back on the international stage
• Meet all 40 of the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 candidates