Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1994 Charlene Gonzalez; Miss Universe 2019 Best in National Costume Gazini Ganados; and, Miss Intercontinental 2014 Miss Photogenic Kris Tiffany Janson. Images from MISS UNIVERSE, ARMIN P. ADINA, Miss Universe YouTube
For the past 60 years, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) has cemented the Philippines’ status as an international pageant powerhouse with multiple wins in the biggest global competitions. But aside from crowns, the national organization’s queens have also brought home special awards.
The Philippines holds the record for having the most winners of the Miss Photogenic award in the Miss Universe pageant, courtesy of seven Binibining Pilipinas queens, starting with Vida Doria who received the accolade in the global tilt’s 1971 edition.
The second Miss Photogenic from the Philippines was 1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran, followed by Aileen Damiles and Abbygale Arenas in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
The Philippines also recorded three straight Miss Photogenic wins in Miss Universe from 2005 to 2007 through Gionna Cabrera, Lia Andrea Ramos, and Anna Theresa Licaros.
Three more Binibining Pilipinas queens were proclaimed Miss Photogenic in different international competitions, Maricar Zaldarriaga at the 1971 Miss Young International pageant, Nanette Prodigalidad at the 1973 Miss Maja International contest, and Kris Tiffany Janson at the 2014 Miss Intercontinental competition.
The Philippines also holds the record for most Best in National Costume wins in the defunct Miss Maja International pageant with seven Filipino ladies bringing home the award—Princess Ava Quibranza (1979), Maria Asuncion Spirig (1980), Josephine Bautista (1981), Maria Anna Cadiz (1983), Maria Luisa Gonzales (1985), Maria Cristina Recto (1986), and Maria Muriel Moral (1988).
Charlene Gonzalez and Gazini Ganados were also Best in National Costume in Miss Universe in 1994 and 2019, respectively, while Yolanda Dominguez and Melanie Marquez received the same award in Miss International in 1972 and 1979, respectively.
In Miss Grand International, Parul Shah topped the costume contest in 2015, while Dorothy Sue Bradley was Best in National Costume at the 1977 Miss Young International pageant.
Three Binibining Pilipinas queens were also the most amiable in their respective global competitions, Lilia Andanar and Alma Concepcion in Miss International in 1989 and 1994, respectively, and Chanel Olive Thomas at the 2017 Miss Supranational pageant.
The Binibining Pilipinas pageant will celebrate its 60th anniversary at the Grand Coronation Night to be staged at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City on July 7. Forty candidates are vying for two titles—Binibining Pilipinas International and Binibining Pilipinas Globe.