IN making the contest grander, this year’s Binibining Cebu has added two more crowns, the Binibining Cebu Heritage and Binibining Cebu Ecology. The titles were added to promote Cebu’s heritage tourism and to draw more attention to the environment. And apart from the additional crowns, the foundation is also planning to showcase more Cebuano talents, or performers with Cebuano blood.
The 54 contestants for this year’s Bb. Cebu looked incredible in Cary Santiago’s little red dresses when they were presented to the public last Aug. 24.
It may sound corny but the Binibining Cebu 2018 Press Conference and Presentation of Candidates proved to the awestruck spectators at the Mountain Wing Atrium of the SM Seaside City Cebu that as one of the most prestigious and grandest pageants in the country, it could easily rally angelic beauties from different towns in Cebu.
The Binining Sugbo Charity Foundation and Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation Inc. have their work cut out for them as they re-achieve and top last year’s widely praised success. Kenneth Lim, president of both organizations, describes how it was going through the experience: “I must be dreaming all over again. I consider myself one of the luckiest men in the world.”
He was glad to have met 108 great women, in two years of organizing Binibining Cebu, who each made great changes in their towns.
And in gathering the most extraordinary women in Cebu, six of this year’s contestants are proud mothers.
One of them is Marie Shane Ortega, the representative of Dumanjug. She is not only a mother but a student as well, and with the list of responsibilities as huge as these, she said: “Wala may mga butang nga dili makaya, time management lang and confidence also (There is nothing that we cannot do; it’s just time management and confidence).”
Holding back tears, the 20-year-old mother narrated how difficult the time was for her as her child was just discharged from the hospital: “Dili gyud okay but we have to be professional. Ni-apil man ta’g Binibining Cebu, so i-hold back lang gyud ang pressure (It’s not okay but we have to be professional. I joined Binibining Cebu, so I just have to hold back the pressure).”
In talking about pressure, Ortega said she wants to help the millennials love themselves more.
In holding a varied set of women who not only represent towns but also banner themselves as every kind of woman in different shapes, ages and circumstances, the country’s biggest pageant also holds women who have had tremendous experience in the beauty pageant industry like Vanessa Ammann, who represents Cebu City South.
The vivacious 29-year-old said she appreciated how the contest embraces the diversity of women: “I’m the oldest in this pageant and I’ve done this before. I never actually had the plan to return but when I found out that they were very open about shapes, women in different forms and women from different walks of life, even single mothers, it made me proud and want to be part of something like this. This is massive.”
The Filipino-German had been crowned Miss World Philippines 2nd Princess in 2012 and Miss Cebu 2011 second runner-up.
She is an advocate for the environment, saying: “I’m very concerned about our ocean. I would like to do more of coral planting, (impart) more knowledge for the locals, the masses for them to understand that if you take care of your backyard, your backyard will take care of you in the long run.” She hopes that this initiative would transcend to the next generation.
Pageant contestants are as young as 18 years old like Marie Leolie Ursal, a psychology student who would have to balance her studies and the pressures of the pageant: “I have a lot of vacant time during my class so I maximize them to do my schoolwork, and with this (pageant), I practice at night.”
Feeling quite doubtful if she’s physically ready to hustle through the whole contest, Ursal is determined in representing the town by reading and staying connected with the current events and being updated with the news.
The contestant from Barili has dutifully begun her advocacy with feeding programs in her hometown: “I’m planning to do it in a much bigger scale, not just in Barili. I’m promoting health...”
With big shoes to fill as representative from Badian, Medical Technology student Ralphiela Lewis said: “Honestly, I feel the pressure. But hopefully, this won’t stop me from doing, giving, or showing my best.”
Binibining Cebu 2017 winner, Apriel Smith, hails from Badian.
Lewis’ advocacy is on anti-bullying: “Bullying is one of the common but very silent issues we’re dealing with today. I notice a lot of kids are going through that because they’re being judged by their gender, their race, their skin color, and especially their gender preferences.”
The rest of the 54 hopefuls were Augustina Odever of Alcantara, Grace Nooriza Lumbang of Alcoy, Kimberly Covert of Alegria, Angeli Christine Navarro of Aloguinsan, Kinji Salinas of Argao, Alaia Doverte of Balamban, Mary Jae Felizarta of Bantayan, Mariah Gelina Lequin of Bogo City, Sheena Marie Selerio of Boljoon, Isabela Deutsch of Borbon, Aeryka-Ann Robyn Pineda of Carcar City, Teri Marina Colmenares of Carmen, Karen Keith Go of Catmon, Dianne Padillo of Cebu City North, Amelie Mira Grauel of Compostela, Jasmier Murray of Consolacion, Melody Ann Infante of Cordova, Rebekka Arnesen of Daan Bantayan, Princess Joesel Bajamonde of Dalaguete, Christine Rodulph of Danao City, Sharon Angel of Ginatilan, Maria Cielito Abendan of Lapu-Lapu City, R-Jane Lugod of Liloan, and finally Binibining Cebu Tourism Samantha Lo’s sister Allison Lo of Asturias.
Of course Tracy Maureen Perez of Madridejos, Marianel Sacal of Malabuyoc, Steffi Aberasturi of Mandaue City, Sheena Balansag of Medellin, Kristine Gillamac of Minglanilla, Shaina Fame Mabatid of Moalboal, Ivy Tapic of Naga City, Rubby Clavel Verano of Oslob, Gerly Cotimar of Pilar, Arianne Manquiquis of Pinamungajan, Freelyn Mae Flores of Poro, Lou Dominique Piczon of Ronda, Ivy Esparcia of Samboan, Mary Grace Castillo of San Fernando, Princess Donah Paraiso of San Francisco, Maria Fe Loayon of San Remigio, Kemberly Gillamac of Santa Fe, Niña Jane Cumayas of Santander, Ralene Lagudas of Sibonga, Angel Kate Uy of Sogod, Janine Gonob-Gonob of Tabogon, Zenny Shun of Tabuelan, Raschel Uy of Talisay City, Mary Grace Tautuan of Toledo City, Trixie Ong of Tuburan, and lastly Sheena Lady Maxelle Paller of Tudela.
To these brave souls the 2017’s Binibinis leave their words of wisdom. To Binibining Cebu Charity, Maria Gigante and Binibining Cebu Tourism, Samantha Lo urged the 54 to ignite professionalism and maintain a great work ethic. However, Binibining Cebu empowered everybody to be themselves, “Just be natural; attitude and personality is very important.”
These tips from the queens who rose above the competition are handy tools to grip on as these years beauty are to start they journey with September 26 Resort Wear and Swimwear Pre-pageant Gala Dinner, followed by the Pre-pageant Interview on October 14 culminating with the Binibining Cebu 2018 Grand Coronation Night.