Monday, March 03, 2008 Kapampangans rule Bb. Pilipinas 2008 tilt
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Kapampangans are dominating Binibining Pilipinas!
Kapampangan artists and local crafts would be among the highlights of the country's premiere beauty contest. In fact, a Kapampangan choreographer will be setting the stage in this year's Binibining Pilipinas.
Binibining Pilipinas or Miss Philippines is the most prestigious beauty pageant in the Philippines. Winners of this pageant often go on to compete in one of three international beauty pageants. It is the official Philippine franchise holder of the Miss Universe pageant since 1964, Miss International since 1968, and the Miss World pageant since 1992. One of its main organizers is Stella Márquez Zawadski (more commonly known as Stella Márquez de Araneta), a former Miss Colombia who was a Miss Universe semi-finalist and the winner of the first Miss International beauty pageant in 1960.
Andy Alviz, resident choreographer of Miss Saigon Asia, composer of Kapampangan Ku, Director of Arti StaRita will handle Binibining Pilipinas for the fifth time.
According to him, the pageant will feature dance numbers from Kapampangan groups, namely, Arti Sta. Rita, St. Nicholas College, Joebee Henson and dancers, and Mabalacat Festival dancers.
"I am very excited about this year's pageant, as I was able to bring in more Kapampangan artists into the pageant, to showcase how talented the Kapampangans are. I also want to share with my Cabalens the opportunities in the national pageants," Alviz said, adding that Betis Crafts, who has been participating in Binibining Pilipinas for the past years, will provide the throne of the three queens.
The famous shell design throne of Miss Universe Sushmita Sen during the Miss Universe pageant held in the country was also designed by Betis Crafts. Lanterns of the City San Fernando will also make it to the pageant proper according to him.
Andy also said Kapampangan beauties made it to the pageant this year. "There are five contestants of Binibining Pilipinas who hail from Pampanga. Every year, at least three contestants from Pampanga make it to the finals of Binibini," Alviz said.
Binibining Pilipinas is one of the best pageant organizations in Asia. The organization has produced two Miss Universe winners (Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Maria Margarita Moran in 1973) and three Miss International winners (Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979, and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005).
The Binibining Pilipinas pageant will be aired at 9 p.m. on March 8 on GMA-7. (IOF)
