A rain of confetti brings even more color to the already festive 2023 Bb. Pilipinas Grand Parade of Beauties./ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — Delegates of the 2023 Binibining Pilipinas pageant once again appeared in public for another official activity that concluded a busy week for the ladies, the much-awaited “Grand Parade of Beauties.”
The 40 candidates of this year’s national competition had some weeks to rest before they were called again to appear at the opening of the national costume photo exhibit at the Gateway Mall at the Araneta City in Quezon City earlier last week.
On May 18, they took part in the media-exclusive Press Presentation event, just before the full-packed National Costume and Fashion Show at the New Frontier Theater, also at the Araneta City, where they walked for two fashion shows, competed in the preliminary evening gown competition, and showcased their grandiose national costumes.
On May 21, the ladies went around the pioneering entertainment and commercial district in Quezon City for the parade, an annual tradition where spectators get to catch a sight of all the delegates, together with the reigning queens. A marching band ushered their arrival at every corner.
Aboard convertibles, with one car assigned for each delegate, the candidates waved to the crowd who patiently waited at the pavements and in the busy corners in the vicinity. Clad in colorful two-piece swimsuits, the ladies also had festive headpieces with huge feathers, reminiscent of Las Vegas party-starters.
Reigning Bb. Pilipinas queens (from left) Stacey Gabriel, Chelsea Fernandez, Nicole Borromeo, Gabrielle Basiano, and Roberta Tamondong greet the crowd./ARMIN P. ADINA
Trisha Martinez, Laguna/ARMIN P. ADINA
Anna Valencia Lakrini, Bataan/ARMIN P. ADINA
Reigning Bb. Pilipinas queens Nicole Borromeo, Gabrielle Basiano, Chelsea Fernandez, Roberta Tamondong, and Stacey Gabriel, meanwhile, wore elegant gowns that evoke majesty. They also each had a convertible assigned to them.
The parade culminated in a brief program at the Smart Araneta Coliseum’s Green Gate along Gen. Aguinaldo Ave., where the ladies introduced themselves one by one, with fans screaming at the top of their lungs. The reigning queens joined them before a rain of confetti blasted through the air.
Fans and followers may catch the “binibinis” one last time at the 2023 Bb. Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night scheduled on May 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Tickets to the show are already available at Ticketnet. The ceremonies will be shown on A2Z channel 11 on free TV, Kapamilya Channel and Metro Channel on cable, and the Bb. Pilipinas official YouTube channel at 9:30 p.m. It will also be beamed to other countries via The Filipino Channel.
Reigning Miss International Jasmin Selberg from Germany will share hosting chores with 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray and 2016 Miss Grand International Nicole Cordoves, while the Vice Ganda will perform. EDV