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Newly-crowned Bb. Pilipinas International Myrna Esguerra/ARMIN P. ADINA
Myrna Esguerra’s victory in the Binibining Pilipinas 2024 pageant was quite expected, having topped several prediction lists by some pageant portals, and later reaping several special awards during the final competition.
The 22-year-old lass had just relinquished her title as Miss Abra when she screened for the national pageant’s 60th anniversary edition. But back then, during the announcement of the official delegates, the buzz was still around the more seasoned aspirants, those who are veterans of national pageants.
And then she came out of nowhere and stole the spotlight from more familiar faces during the 2024 candidates’ first public appearance at a fashion show. And she has been consistent in every activity, slowly carving her spot as the true frontrunner of the diamond batch of the national pageant.
And on the fateful night on July 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City, with more than 100 of the national pageant’s alumnae as witness, Esguerra took home the Bb. Pilipinas International title, and even joined the elite group of ladies who won both Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown, a roster that includes 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray.
She was also one of the five ladies adjudged as Best in National Costume, and also received the Bb. Urban Smiles and Bb. Philippine Airlines titles.
Screenshot from Myrna Esguerra’s Instagram Stories
During the final round of competition, 1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran asked her: “If a time machine brings you back to 1964, 60 years ago when Bb. Pilipinas began, what message would you want to tell to the Filipino women of that time about the women of 2024?”
She responded: “I would tell the women of the past that we have achieved our goal, which is to empower women. Standing here, at the age of 17, I started to finance my own studies and help my family financially. I was able to do this, by all those women who paved the way to empower us to reach for our goals no matter what it is. Because in life, we can always achieve our dreams as long [as] we believe that we can, and thanks to them all.”
Gray, who was one of the coronation night’s hosts, mentioned that the late Myrna Panlilio was crowned during the first-ever staging of the Bb. Pilipinas pageant in 1964. And 60 years later, another Myrna has been proclaimed queen.
And Esguerra will soon add another jewel to her crown as she is set to earn her degree in Tourism Management from the City College of Angeles by the end of the month, capping years of supporting her own education starting at the age of 17.
Esguerra will represent the Philippines in the 63rd Miss International pageant next year. Her predecessor Angelica Lopez is set to compete in the global tilt’s 62nd edition in Japan in November.