Bb. Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold. Image from her Instagram
As the Binibining Pilipinas pageant’s 60th anniversary edition heats up, former queen Hannah Arnold said she is having a hard time picking who could win because she found the delegates as deserving and competitive.
“It’s my second time seeing them in person, and I’m so amazed. They all look like they’re ready to compete internationally already,” the model and forensic scientist from Masbate told INQUIRER.net at the sidelines of the swimsuit fashion show held at the Lagoon of Gateway Mall 2 at the Araneta City in Quezon City last month.
“When we see them online, sometimes we think, ‘Oh, are their pictures edited?’ But no, in person, they’re so beautiful, they’re all glowing. And today in their swimsuit, they all had so much confidence. I don’t know who will win,” added the 2022 Miss International semifinalist.
Bb. Pilipinas 2024 candidates/ARMIN P. ADINA
It has been three years since she was crowned Bb. Pilipinas International on her second attempt, but Arnold has continued to be visible in the national pageant’s events. She has joined the 2024 delegates in another fashion show, where 2021 and 2022 winners were also invited to walk with the reigning queens.
“I love being on the runway, but there’s something different about being on a Bb. Pilipinas stage. The crowd, their cheers, just really lift you up. And, personally, for the past few months, I’ve been going through my own little struggles. So when I came here and saw everyone cheering for me, I really was so happy again. And it made me emotional, but in a good way,” Arnold shared.
She said it is always an honor for her to be invited to return. “I’m just super kilig (giddy) because as we know, Madam Stella [Araneta, Bb. Pilipinas Chair] was our first Miss International. And that was two years ago that we celebrated the 60th Miss International. So it’s so nice thinking, ‘Wow, from Miss International, Binibini was born and created,’” Arnold said.
The Australian-Filipino titleholder said she has always looked up to her predecessors, and she cannot wait to be that queen for the future winners. Arnold said the Bb. Pilipinas’ legacy is how the pageant trains them to grow into better women.
“All of these events might just seem like we’re here for the glam, and photos. But it’s really a training process every day. So I think that’s what sets Bb. Pilipinas apart. They’ve been doing this for 60 years. They know how to turn us girls into queens with or without a crown,” she continued.
The 2024 Bb. Pilipinas pageant will choose the country’s representatives to the 63rd Miss International pageant next year, and The Miss Globe competition later this year. The winners will be proclaimed at the Grand Coronation Night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City on July 7.