It’s the moment of truth for the 40 candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2022 when they compete for the four titles at stake during the Grand Coronation Night, happening live on Sunday at 9:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hosting the pageant are Catriona Gray, Nicole Cordoves, Samantha Bernardo, and Edward Barber with a guest appearance by the country’s P-pop sensation, SB19, performing the Bb. Pilipinas theme song “Win your Heart.”
Manila Standard names its Top 12 Hot Picks who have a strong chance of winning the right to represent the country in the Miss International, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Globe, and Miss Grand International pageants.
For Miss International
Gabrielle Basiano, 24
With the face of a Hollywood goddess who is armed with good communication skills, this Tourism graduate might just walk home with the most coveted crown of the night. Her first runner-up finishes in Bb. Pilipinas 2021 and Miss Friendship International 2019 in China will serve her in good stead.
Chelsea Fernandez, 22
This Mass Communication student has the perfect face and body. Her stunning aura and vibrant personality made her win the Miss Bikini Philippines 2020 title.
Yllana Marie Aduana, 23
She is a Medical Technologist and a Drug Specialist. An outstanding speaker, pageant fans are captivated by her flawless body and skin. This top Binibini contender won Miss Fit Philippines in 2021.
For Miss Grand International
Cyrille Payumo, 25
She has a commanding stage presence. With an international title tucked under her belt (Miss Tourism International 2019), she becomes an instant major contender in this year’s beauty tourney.
Roberta Tamondong, 19
This 5-foot-9 beauty who won the Miss Eco Teen International title in 2020 is a force to reckon with. Roberta is always a standout whenever she sashays on the stage.
Herlene Nicole Budol, 22
The actress/comedienne is winning the hearts of netizens not only because of her towering stature and killer body but also because of her bubbly personality. Being the most popular candidate in this batch, if she hurdles the Q&A portion, she can walk away with the Binibining Pilipinas Grand International crown.
For Miss Globe
Diana Mackey, 24
This Filipino-Kiwi beauty is a Tourism graduate and a former PBB housemate. People see her as sexy, poised, and intelligent, and has all the goods to can score a back-to-back win in Miss Globe.
Fatima Kate Bisan, 22
Fil-Norwegian Fatima is a medical technologist. This doe-eyed beauty captures the crowd’s attention with her classic face, good communication, and catwalk skills. She loves to give back to her community through her social and medical background.
Elda Louise Aznar, 26
This stylish Binibini is a graduate of an Interior Designing course. She stands out with her modelesque stance, striking stage presence, and good communication skills.
For Miss Intercontinental
Nicole Borromeo, 21
This highly competitive ramp model was Eat Bulaga’s Miss Millennial 2019 and Sinulog Festival Queen 2019. She also won Reyna ng Aliwan 2019 but was dethroned. No doubt, her pageant experience is her biggest advantage.
Graciella Sheine Lehmann, 24
A flight attendant by profession, this Fil-Swiss-German beauty makes head turns with her killer body and strong stage presence. As one of the very competitive candidates, Graciella has that confidence that says she’s hungry for the crowns.
Natasha Ellema Jung, 19
She is a student in Humanity Studies. And in every Binibini event, Natasha always appears fresh, candid, and beautiful – the basic traits of a natural beauty queen.
• • •
Bragais Shoes owner issues public apology
Jose Joaquin Bragais of Bragais Shoes has owned up and apologized regarding the unfortunate and unintentional photo release of Bb. Pilipinas 2022 candidates Natasha Jung and Jessica McEwen, which was met with disapproval by their supporters.
“I would like to take full responsibility on the issue with regards to the photos of Binibini 9 Natasha Jung and Binibini 27 Jessica McEwan that we released on July 25. On behalf of my team, I sincerely apologize to both ladies and of course to their beloved fans for the photos that were unflattering and misrepresented their beauty and image,” Bragais said in a statement.
“It has always been our vision here in Jojo Bragais to provide, not just quality and reliable shoes, but also an inspiration to aspiring beauty queens and pageant fans alike, which we have admittedly failed to do with the photos that we released. To rectify our mistake, we have replaced the images concerned,” he carried on.
“Rest assured that we will work extra hard to achieve our company’s mission, to empower women to stand and look at their best and win in life. We will also carefully take this into consideration with all the materials that we will release in the future,” Bragais ended.
