Justine Aliman (in white) has been designing the swimsuits for the Bb. Pilipinas pageant for two years in a row now. Image: INQUIRER.net/ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines—Justine Aliman’s Dia Ali has been supplying the swimsuits for the Binibining Pilipinas pageant for the second straight year now. And for the much-awaited coronation night, the designer said the 2023 candidates will have “freedom of choice.”
Without revealing too much, for fear of preempting the swimsuits reserved for the final competition, Aliman said, “Our queens this year may choose what ‘cut’ they want. That’s the only thing I can share for now.” She spoke with the Inquirer at the sidelines of the “Grand Parade of Beauties” at the Araneta City in Quezon City on May 21.
She has already presented two collections for the 2023 Bb. Pilipinas pageant. The first designs were all white, and were worn by the 40 delegates for the promotional images used in the tarpaulins hoisted around the Araneta City, and on the pageant’s social media accounts.
The second collection was used in the parade, one of the most-awaited annual traditions where the ladies went around the Araneta City aboard convertibles, wearing festive headdresses with huge, colorful feathers that matched the two-piece swimsuits Aliman designed.
“My inspiration is actually women empowerment. So there you may find different colors, as if we’re providing enlightenment for all women,” she told the Inquirer. The swimsuits featured multi-colored linear patterns on a white base. “I just really want to honor women, not only in the Philippines but all over the world,” Aliman continued.
Catch the 40 candidates and discover Aliman’s final swimsuit design at the 2023 Bb. Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City on May 28. Tickets are now available at Ticketnet.
Reigning Miss International Jasmin Selberg from Germany will be the show’s special guest, while 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray and 2016 Miss Grand International Nicole Cordoves will return as hosts. The two Filipino beauties will also share their chores with 2014 Miss Universe Philippines Mary Jean Lastimosa. “Unkabogable” queen Vice Ganda and young performer Darren Espanto are also set to provide musical numbers.
The contest 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. /ra