Bb. Pilipinas gathers more than 100 of its former queens in one stage for finals

Bb. Pilipinas 2024 candidates/ARMIN P. ADINA

After surprising local pageant fandom with its P1-million prize for each of its winners this year, the Binibining Pilipinas pageant has pulled out another treat for avid followers when it announced that more than 100 former titleholders from its 60-year run will be onstage at the grand coronation night.

The most-enduring national beauty competition in the country is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and will honor the queens it has produced at the culminating event to acknowledge their contribution in making the Philippines a global pageant powerhouse.

The announcement was made at the National Costume Competition with the 2024 delegates held at the New Frontier Theater at the Araneta City in Quezon City on June 11.

Past Bb. Pilipinas queens (standing, from left) Jeanette Fernando, Maricarl Tolosa, (seated, from left) Lisa Berroya, Tina Alcala, and Janina San Miguel/ARMIN P. ADINA

Among the most notable Binibining Pilipinas alumnae are the Philippines’ four Miss Universe winners—Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray.

And since its establishment in 1964, the Bb. Pilipinas pageant has also produced five Miss International titleholders—Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Rose Santiago (2013), and Kylie Verzosa (2016).

Both Gray and Verzosa are confirmed to make an appearance at the grand coronation night. They will host the ceremonies together with two more of their Binibini sisters, 2016 Miss Grand International first runner-up Nicole Cordoves and 2014 Miss Universe semifinalist MJ Lastimosa.

Former Binibining Pilipinas queens Gabrielle Basiano (left) and Hannah Arnold/ARMIN P. ADINA

The Bb. Pilipinas pageant also scored the Philippines’ first victory in the Miss Intercontinental pageant through Karen Gallman in 2018, which was followed by Cinderella Faye Obeñita’s win in 2021. The national organization also produced three queens in the Miss Globe pageant system, Maricar Balagtas, Ann Colis, and Maureen Montagne.

The national pageant also boasts a stellar lineup of runners-up and semifinalists in major international organizations, winners in several other global tilts, and special awards recipients from various competitions.

Also marking the 60th anniversary of the Bb. Pilipinas pageant are two new crowns made by renowned jewelry and accessories designer Manny Halasan. They were made using responsibly-sourced diamonds, and were inspired by the pageant’s logo.

Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019 Emma Tiglao/ARMIN P. ADINA

SB19 will also return to the Bb. Pilipinas pageant to sing at the 2024 grand coronation night. OPM (original Pilipino music) icons Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano are also set to perform at the ceremonies.

Forty ladies from all over the Philippines will compete for two titles—Bb. Pilipinas International and Bb. Pilipinas Globe—at the finale event that will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City on July 7.

The winners will represent the Philippines at the 63rd Miss International pageant next year, and at The Miss Globe competition later this year.