Forty candidates have been chosen to comprise the “diamond” batch of beauties who will compete in the 2024 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, the 60th edition of the most enduring national beauty contest in the country.
The announcement was made at the culmination of the final screening of applicants conducted at the New Frontier Theater at the Araneta City in Quezon City on April 5. Members of the media were invited to the venue for the presentation of the successful applicants.
Last year’s Best in Evening Gown winner and Top 11 finalist Trisha Martinez from Laguna is returning to stake her claim at a Bb. Pilipinas crown, hoping to duplicate the feat of reigning Bb. Pilipinas Globe Anna Valencia Lakrini, who also returned immediately after her first shot at the title.
Shaira Rona is another returning candidate, while other seasoned aspirants include 2019 Miss Scuba Philippines Liz Mabao, 2022 Hiyas ng Pilipinas-Tourism Queen International Phoebe Godinez, 2022 Miss Aura Philippines second runner-up Vera Dickinson, and 2021 Miss Bikini Philippines first runner-up Vienne Feucht
This year’s competition is also the 60th-anniversary celebration of the first and longest-running major national beauty pageant in the Philippines. The Bb. Pilipinas pageant staged its first edition in 1964, with the late Myrna Panlilio capturing the crown.
Throughout the years, the Bb. Pilipinas pageant has produced four Miss Universe winners — Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in 1973, Pia Wurtzbach in 2015, and Catriona Gray in 2018.
Five Miss International winners also came from the Bb. Pilipinas stable — Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979, Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005, Bea Rose Santiago in 2013, and Kylie Verzosa in 2016.
The national pageant also produced Miss Globe winners Maricar Balagtas, Ann Lorraine Colis, and Maureen Montagne, as well as Miss Intercontinental titleholders Karen Gallman and Cinderella Faye Obeñita.
Bb. Pilipinas runner-up Michelle Reyes was able to win in both the 2001 Miss Tourism International and 2002 Miss Tourism World pageants, while Kristine Reyes Alzar was crowned Miss Tourism International Ukraine Black Sea in 2002.
With an impressive roster of titleholders, runners-up, finalists, and special award recipients in the biggest international competitions, the Bb. Pilipinas pageant has established the Philippines as a powerhouse in global tilts.
The winner of the Bb. Pilipinas International crown this year will represent the Philippines in the 63rd Miss International pageant next year. Reigning queen Angelica Lopez will be the one who will compete in the global tilt’s 62nd edition in Japan in November.
Lakrini, meanwhile, will crown her successor who will participate in the 2024 Miss Globe pageant, and hopefully exceed her second runner-up finish in the international competition last year.
