Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental Gabrielle Basiano shows she is summer-ready
Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Gabrielle Basiano is the new ‘Sassa Girl.’ / ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — Just as the weather bureau announced the official start of the dry season in the country, reigning Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Gabrielle Camille Basiano showed up at an event with her trimmed hair and summer-ready outfit.
Donning a cool powder blue maillot over white pants, the statuesque Waray beauty debuted her new shoulder-length hairdo when she was launched as the new face of a swimsuit brand in Parañaque on Monday, March 20.
Basiano, who finished in the Top 20 of the 2022 Miss Intercontinental pageant held in Egypt, said she is looking forward to spending summer in her mother’s home city of Borongan in Easter Samar. “I used to go there every summer. We were staying in Tacloban City, then we’d go home there to visit my mom’s side of the family,” she shared.
Her maternal ancestral home is also perfect for a summer getaway because it is located directly on the beach. “That is why I really enjoy my summers there with my friends and cousins,” Basiano said, adding that the city is slowly emerging as a surfing destination, and she would want to promote the place to further attract tourism.
Basiano said that while more and more Filipinas are becoming more comfortable in their own skin, she recognizes that there are still some who do not feel confident enough wearing swimsuits because of their body built, thus, they have taken to wearing shorts and shirts to the beach or the pool.
Nothing wrong with that, she said, but first these women need to start appreciating themselves. “Through that experience, other people will appreciate you. Sometimes, even when we’re not in perfect shape, as long as the people see that you are enjoying yourself, you are confident in yourself, they will see ‘it suits her.’ So start within yourself,” she explained.
‘Sassa Girl’ Gabrielle Basiano (third from left) says every woman, whatever body type she may have, can wear swimsuits, like the ‘Sassa Summer Girls’ with her./ARMIN P. ADINA
“Confidence will carry you through, to be the best version of yourself. Sometimes when you worry a lot, the people will notice it. When you are confident, the people around you will say, ‘this woman is confident in herself, she is enjoying her body and she has accepted it,’” she added.
The beauty titlist also shared a style hack for the summer, such as the trousers she wore to the event. “Wherever I go, for example to an island, I’d have my swimsuit. This pair of pants would always be handy as a coverup. When it is too early for the ‘swimsuit competition,’ I would put them on first. At the beach when it’s mealtime, you will have something to cover yourself up when you dine,” she said.
With her days as a Bb. Pilipinas queen coming to an end late this summer, Basiano said she will also spend some time to prepare for her farewell message as she bids her crown goodbye. There are also still some duties and responsibilities waiting for her at the homestretch of her reign, she said.
As for her plans after a new set of queens had been crowned, Basiano said she is taking a break from pageantry. “I’ve been a candidate for a long time. After my competition in Egypt, that’s where I said, ‘Okay, I’ll take a break… Then let’s see if I would still want to join next time. I’m not closing my doors,” Basiano declared. EDV
