Bb Pilipinas Gold: A post-mortem

MANILA, Philippines – The golden road to the crown finally came to an end last April 14 with Ariella Arida of Alaminos, Laguna winning the Miss Universe Philippines 2013 crown. The 24-year-old Chemistry graduate from UP Los Baños was never considered a front-runner but her victory was not questionable either. 

READ: Binibining Pilipinas 2013 winners crowned

Going over my Fearless Forecast for Rappler, I got it right that Ariella might be the night’s most pleasant surprise: “Her fierce and feisty look make her stand out. With very expressive eyes and delectable lips, she’s too good for a runner-up finish so it won’t be a surprise if Ariella snatches the top plum.”

READ: Bb Pilipinas Gold fearless forecast

The “silent killer”

Ariella is the perfect example of a “silent killer.” As the crowd went wild for heavy favorites Charmaine Elima, Mutya Datul, Mariel de Leon, and Bea Santiago each time they appeared on stage, one might have thought the crown was between these ladies. Ariella also had her fair share of applause, but she knew who to impress the most: the board of judges who collectively sealed the candidates’ fate. 

Ariella exuded sexiness, elegance, as well as the right amount of confidence throughout the night. She showed off a healthy, toned body in her swimsuit, eventually winning the Best in Swimsuit award. Then she sashayed with grace and class in her asymmetrical white number for the long gown competition.

AS IT HAPPENS: Bb Pilipinas 2013 coronation

When asked by judge Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima to name a lesson about life that women can teach men, Ariella replied: “One lesson in life that women can teach men is being sensitive because we all know that men are more logical when it comes to decision[-making]. They’re usually more rational, straightforward. Unlike we (sic) women, we use our hearts and tend to get emotional in some of our decisions. So, that’s it for me. Sensitivity is something that we, women, can teach to (sic) men. Thank you.”

Among all the finalists, it was Ariella who made the most sense in the all-important question-and-answer portion. While most of the Binibinis allowed pressure to take over in this round, Ariella’s answer must have sealed the deal for her.

Miss Universe chances

It is still too early to predict Ariella’s chances in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant. One thing’s for sure, though: she has got big shoes to fill following the Philippines’ 3 consecutive placements in the top 5 and Janine Tugonon’s first runner-up finish last December. However, Ariella’s victory has been warmly received by pageant fans online. Many of them see her making waves in the international pageant.

Miss Universe Philippines 2013: ‘I’m prepared’

To be honest, Ariella looked more polished than Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon when the two won the crown in 2011 and 2012. This, however, doesn’t mean Ariella should relax. She needs to work on a lot (improving her form, creating a distinct walk, and improving her communication skills and personality, among others) in order to package herself as a Miss Universe candidate worthy of the crown.

There’s a lot of pressure involved but I’m confident this girl is transformable. If she was able to get rid of unwanted fats she had prior to joining Bb Pilipinas, there’s no doubt this girl will be more than prepared for the “Olympics of Beauty.” Also, she’s under the tutelage of Aces & Queens’s Jonas Gaffud, the man behind Venus Raj, Shamcey, and Janine. Ariella is in good hands.

EXCLUSIVE: Jonas Gaffud — The man behind the beauty queens

Winners too

Also with Ariella in the winners’ circle are Bea Rose Santiago (BBP-International), Joanna Cindy Miranda (BBP-Tourism), Mutya Johanna Datul (BBP-Supranational), and Pia Wurtzbach (first runner-up). Most people would agree that this is one of the strongest sets of Bb Pilipinas winners in years.

Bea Rose Santiago (BBP-International)

Bea was among the most applauded not only because she had lots of supporters in the Smart Araneta Coliseum, but because she truly deserved the accolade. She glowed the whole night, especially in her evening gown. During the Q&A she was asked what the ideal Filipino is.

“The ideal Filipino is both proud and happy,” she replied.

She gave the most practical answer to an easy question. She got the crown from that moment. What a coincidence, though, because it was Miss International Beauty Pageant chairman Hirofumi Hashimoto who asked her the question. I can smell our 6th consecutive placement in the pageant.

Mutya Johanna Datul (BBP-Supranational)

Mutya was destined to win the top plum, until she opened her mouth. The momentum was already there after she bagged the Miss Photogenic award. She was the most applauded in the evening gown segment; no wonder she won Best in Evening Gown. The crowd really loved her, but she broke their hearts with her answer to the final question. 

It was expected that she would falter in this round. Prior to the coronation night, she had been vilified online for her English-speaking skills. Had she preferred to answer in the native tongue, she could have placed higher. But it was the right decision to send her to Miss Supranational since there’s no Q&A segment there. Her inimitable charm and beauty will surely take Belarus, this year’s host country, by storm.

Joanna Cindy Miranda (BBP-Tourism)

Meanwhile, Cindy’s beauty was “unstoppable” all throughout despite her answer that ended weakly. It is still unknown if Miss Tourism Queen International will be staged this year, but I’m confident that Cindy can easily make it to the semifinals.

READ: Bb 16 Joanna Cindy Miranda wins Rappler poll

Pia Wurtzbach (first runner-up)

Pia could have easily snatched a crown had she given a meatier answer to the question “What do you think is the greatest achievement of Binibining Pilipinas in its 50 years of existence?” She may be the only crownless girl in the top 5, but she’ll be receiving the same amount of training as the other ladies.

This could give her an advantage if ever she decides to join again. I’m pretty sure she can do a Tugonon (first runner-up in 2011, Miss Universe Philippines in 2012). 

Surprises, upsets

Aside from the eventual top 5, Parul Shah, Grace Yann Apuad, Merry Joyce Respicio, Charmaine Elima, and Mariel de Leon all made it to the top 15 as predicted.

The inclusion of underdogs Rhea Nakpil, Amanda Noelle Navasero, Camille Nazar, Ellore Punzalan, and Imelda Schweighart came as a surprise. Nakpil was just okay in both the swimsuit and evening gown segments, while Navasero’s pasarela (walk) was just awkward.

IN PHOTOS: Bb Pilipinas Parade of Beauties

Winning special awards from major sponsors must have given Punzalan (Manila Bulletin’s Readers’ Choice) and Schweighart (Miss Pagcor) free passes to the semis. Of the 5 candidates, Nazar gave the most acceptable performance.

What could be the reason behind the exclusion of favorites Ria Rabajante, Cassandra Naidas, and Hannah Sison? Their performance was solid enough to have made the cut, in my opinion.

VIDEO: Bb Pilipinas Parade of Beauties

Mariel, the most talked about candidate, failed to get a crown. It was surprising, given that she was among the most cheered and she was rumored to be another favorite of the organization. However, the judges might have not appreciated her timid beauty. Also, as I have said in my Fearless Forecast, Mariel is too raw for pageants at 19 years old.

IN PHOTOS: Bb Pilipinas Fashion Show

The coronation night’s biggest letdown was the exclusion of heavy favorite Charmaine in the top 5. She was breezing through both Swimwear and Evening Gown rounds. But her answer to the final question cost her the crown. She probably had an answer in mind but the pressure probably took over. Charmaine should not lose hope; she is just 20 years old and could still come back in a year or two.

The production

The opening was magical; needless to say, it was nostalgic. Seeing some 70 past title-holders in one stage was a dream come true especially for die-hard pageant fans like me — what more seeing them walk on the red carpet one by one all glammed up and in their top form?

IN PHOTOS: Bb Pilipinas Red Carpet 2013

The numbers were good, especially during the first part of the evening gown segment. The production team, however, should’ve dropped the idea of having 4 matinee idols serenade the second batch of ladies in their evening gowns.

Yes, there was “kilig” factor, but it just didn’t suit the pageant’s over-all feel. Also, the song number was already finished but Binibini 48 was still on stage; the team had to put the background song on loop until Binibini 50 was done walking.

Martin Nievera and Dawn Zulueta did a great job as hosts. They had chemistry, but Martin should have refrained from giving some nasty side comments especially during the Q&A portion.

Shamcey and Venus could have done a better job.

The stage was better this year; it was small but completely utilized. The lighting effects helped in setting the mood for each of the program’s segments. The swimsuit portion seemed rushed, and seeing all 50 girls strutting in bikinis was tiresome.

Overall, though, production had a marked improvement compared to last year.

Watch the new queens get crowned in this YouTube video posted by MissRanking:

We’ve only just begun

Soon, the winners will be undergoing rigorous training sessions to shape both their minds and bodies for their respective international pageants. The pressure is on them to keep the momentum going for the Philippines in the international pageant scene.

But more than just the preparations, the determination to improve and the hunger to succeed must be there. 

READ: Bb Pilipinas Gold pageant review

Will one of these girls bring home a crown and finally bring the Philippines back as a pageant powerhouse? We’ll find out. The journey has just begun. – Rappler.com

 

Drew Francisco is a 23-year-old corporate slave who earned his journalism degree in UST. He regularly contributes articles to Missosology.info, where he is tagged a “pageant expert.” He also maintains a blog (angharaya.wordpress.com) dedicated to beauty pageants. He has never missed a live telecast of the Miss Universe since 2007.