The 2023 Bb. Pilipinas pageant attracted a lot of ‘crossover’ beauties./ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — The Binibining Pilipinas pageant has presented the 40 candidates vying in its 2023 edition, many of whom are familiar faces who have graced the stage of other beauty contests, both national and local.
Six candidates came from the Miss World Philippines pageant, with 2021 Miss Tourism Philippines Trisha Martinez leading the pack. She is joined by 2018 contestants Elaiza Dee Alzona and Paulina Labayo, 2021 aspirants Andrea Marie Sulangi and Lea Macapagal, and Anje Mae Manipol from 2022.
Miss Philippines Earth titleholders are also in the fray—2021 Miss Philippines Ecotourism Sofia Lopez Galve, 2020 Miss Philippines Water Gianna Margarita Llanes, and 2016 Miss Philippines Air Kiaragiel Gregorio.
Miss Universe Philippines semifinalists Mirjan Hipolito and Angelica Lopez are now Bb. Pilipinas candidates, so are Katrina Mae Sese and Allhia Charmaine Estores from the Mutya ng Pilipinas “Gold” batch of 2018.
Several national titleholders have also been included in the roster of 2023 Bb. Pilipinas candidates: They are reigning Miss Bikini Philippines Zeah Nestle Pala, Miss Lumiere International World Philippines Julia Mae Mendoza, Miss Silka Katrina Anne Johnson, and Yesley Cabano who won in the reality TV show “Pinay Beauty Queen Academy” in 2015 and represented the Philippines in the Miss Bikini Universe contest in the same year.
Reigning queens from the provinces have also transitioned to the national stage—Miss Bicolandia Rheema Adakkoden, Miss Batangas International Paola Allison Araño, Bb. GenTri Alasha Reign Parani, Miss Iloilo Binibini Tracy Lois Bedua, and Miss Cagayan de Oro Pilipinas April Angelu Barro.
Sharmaine Magdasoc was already crowned Miss Fashion World in Malaysia in 2019, but she is now moving to the national stage of the Bb. Pilipinas pageant.
Three more aspirants are from the sports and entertainment world—professional volleyball player Mary Joy Dacoron, Viva artist Xena Ramos, and Jessilen Salvador, actress Maja Salvador’s sister.
Anna Valencia Lakrini from Bataan is the lone Bb. Pilipinas returnee in this year’s competition. She finished in the Top 12 in last year’s contest.
The Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) did not announce how many crowns are at stake in this year’s competition, but reigning Bb. Pilipinas Globe Chelsea Fernandez confirmed that she will crown her successor who will compete in the Miss Globe pageant.
Reigning Bb. Pilipinas International Nicole Borromeo also said she is looking forward to crowning her successor before competing in the Miss International pageant later this year.
The 2023 Bb. Pilipinas coronation night is tentatively scheduled in May, and will be staged at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City. EDV