The 40 delegates of the 2023 Bb. Pilipinas pageant face members of the media and the panel of judges./ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — Three months since they became official candidates, the 2023 Binibining Pilipinas delegates went under the critical eye of a select group of experts for the very important preliminary judging held at the New Frontier Theater at the Araneta City in Quezon City on May 18.
The judging took place during the press presentation, where all the 40 delegates in this year’s competition introduced themselves individually, and paraded in swimsuits one-by-one. This is also the first time in recent years that the activity took place inside a theater. The previous editions were held at the ballroom of Novotel Manila Araneta City.
As another treat to members of the media and the judges, each delegate was given 30 seconds to introduce themselves, share more information, or impart their thoughts about their participation in the annual pageant. During the press presentation events in the previous editions, the individual introductions had the ladies saying only their name and the places where they come from, and sometimes including their age.
What made the event a very important one for the candidates was the preliminary judging, which will provide scores that will help determine who will advance to the next round of the competition, those who will be included in the semifinals who will be announced during the finals.
The judging panel was comprised of officials from several pageant sponsors and donors, Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) executive committee members Irene Jose and Raymond Villanueva, the pageant’s official photographer Raymond Saldaña, and Pangasinan Board Member and Councilors’ League President Arthur Celeste Jr.
BPCI did not disclose yet how many crowns will be awarded in this year’s competition, which will culminate at the grand coronation night on May 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City. Tickets are now available at Ticketnet.
Entertainer Vice Ganda will perform during the program, with 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray and 2016 Miss Grand International first runner-up Nicole Cordoves returning as hosts for the third year in a row. Reigning Miss International Jasmin Selberg is also scheduled to make an appearance.
Reigning Bb. Pilipinas queens Nicole Borromeo, Gabrielle Basiano, Chelsea Fernandez, and Roberta Tamondong will officially bid farewell to their respective national titles during the final show, which will be shown on A2Z channel 11 on free TV, Kapamilya Channel and Metro Channel on cable, and Bb. Pilipinas official YouTube channel at 9:30 p.m. on the evening of the competition. It will also be beamed to other countries via The Filipino Channel. EDV