Binibining Pilipinas bets push sustainable fashion with reigning, former queens

Binibining Pilipinas queens (from left) Maureen Montagne, Hannah Arnold, Nicole Borromeo, Roberta Tamondong, Gabrielle Basiano, Chelsea Fernandez, Angelica Lopez, Anna Lakrini, Katrina Anne Johnson, and Atasha Reign Parani headline ‘Reinvent: A Sustainable Fashion Show.’ Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina

The Binibining Pilipinas pageant kicked off its series of public events this year by gathering the 2024 aspirants with the reigning queens, and even former titleholders, in a showcase of Filipino fashion that also promotes sustainability.

Donning pieces made of recyclable and repurposed materials, the 40 candidates took the runway at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2 at the Araneta City in Quezon City on May 16 for “Reinvent: A Sustainable Fashion Show,” directed by Bb. Pilipinas resident stylist Patrick Henry Mergano.

Ten designers showcased their creations at the event, pieces that used fabrics collected from their respective workrooms that would have otherwise been sent to landfills. Fragments of their former works also saw new life by getting incorporated in fresh works. Some even used “ukay-ukay” (second-hand store) finds and repurposed them to become elevated fashion pieces.

Reigning Bb. Pilipinas International Angelica Lopez joined the group that walked for designer Adam Balasa, while Bb. Pilipinas Globe and 2023 The Miss Globe second runner-up Anna Lakrini closed the segment for Russ Cuevas.

First runner-up Katrina Anne Johnson and second runner-up Atasha Reign Parani, meanwhile, joined the ladies who walked for designers Don Cristobal and Jean Alta of Kutur ni Jean, respectively.

Their immediate predecessors also staged a Bb. Pilipinas comeback, led by 2023 Miss International third runner-up Nicole Borromeo who walked with the group dressed by designer Uly Marquez.

Former Bb. Pilipinas Globe Chelsea Fernandez and former Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Gabrielle Basiano joined the ladies who showcased the creations of James O’Briant and Rannel Espaldon, respectively, while 2022 Miss Grand International fifth runner-up Roberta Tamondong walked with the candidates for designer Doms Abustan.

Bb. Pilipinas queens from 2021 also took the runway, with 2022 Miss International semifinalist Hannah Arnold closing the segment for designer Mark Combe, while former The Miss Globe Maureen Montagne was the show’s finale model in a piece by Allan Laserna.

This year’s national pageant marks the 60th year since the staging of the first Bb. Pilipinas contest in 1964. The 2024 competition will celebrate its six decades of championing Filipino women on the global stage, and establishing the Philippines as an international pageant powerhouse.

The winners of this year’s competition will represent the Philippines in the 62nd Miss International pageant next year, and the 2024 The Miss Globe competition.