Herlene Budol, Angono, Rizal/ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — Comedienne Herlene Nicole Budol emerged as one of the five “Best in Runway” winners in the 2023 Miss Grand Philippines pageant, the organization announced on Facebook on July 10.
Joining the “Magandang Dilag” star in the roster are other popular contenders and international runners-up Nikki De Moura from Cagayan de Oro City, Michelle Arceo from Bagumbayan, Quezon City, Shanon Tampon from Caloocan City and Charie Manalo Sergio from Caluya, Antique.
De Moura and Caluya also made it to the list of the five “Best in National Costume,” which also includes Faith Heterick from Urdaneta City, Aeroz Ganiban from Nueva Ecija, and Resalina Toledo from Pasay City.
Although the Top 5 in both categories were announced only today, the results were based on the 30 candidates’ performance at the preliminary competition and charity gala night held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City on July 8.
Nikki De Moura, Cagayan de Oro City/ARMIN P. ADINA
Shanon Tampon, Caloocan City/ARMIN P. ADINA
Charie Manalo Sergio, Caluya, Antique/ARMIN P. ADINA
Herlene Budol, Angono, Rizal/ARMIN P. ADINA
Michelle Arceo, Bagumbayan, Quezon City/ARMIN P. ADINA
During the event, the 30 candidates showcased their colorful and interesting “creative cultural costumes,” and took the runway in couture pieces from designers Leo Almodal, Val Taguba, Cherry Veric, Pablo Mendez III, Rau Ablaza, and Mark Bumgarner.
The preliminary competition portion of the evening saw the ladies compete in the swimsuit competition wearing identical blue one-piece swimsuits, and in gowns of their choice for the evening gown competition.
Budol, who was first runner-up in the 2022 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, is facing serious competition from other pageant veterans. De Moura was crowned Miss Teen Philippines and finished second in the Asia-wide reality competition “Supermodel Me.” Arceo was crowned Miss Ecosystem in the 2022 Miss Environment International contest in India, while Tampon was first runner-up in the 2022 Miss Elite contest in Egypt.
The 2023 Miss Grand Philippines coronation night will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on July 13, and will be streamed live on ALV TV, with reigning Miss Grand International Isabella Menin from Brazil as special guest. Three titles are at stake in the national competition—Miss Grand Philippines, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, and Miss Philippines Tourism. EDV