Binibining Pilipinas crowned its new queens during the 58th Grand Coronation Night on July 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Nicole Borromeo from Cebu took home the Bb. Pilipinas International title, Gabrielle Basiano from Eastern Samar earned the Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental crown, Chelsea Fernandez from Tacloban City bagged the title of Bb. Pilipinas Globe, and Roberta Angela Tamondong from San Pablo, Laguna won Bb. Pilipinas Grand International. Nicole Budol from Rizal and Stacey Daniella Gabriel from Cainta, Rizal were named Bb. Pilipinas 2022 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner-up, respectively.
Borromeo, a 21-year-old model and student in interior designing, is the former Eat Bulaga’s Miss Millennial 2019 grand winner and Sinulog Festival Queen 2019. She was Reyna ng Aliwan 2019 but was dethroned. She was crowned by Bb. Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold who will still compete in Miss International 2022, returning in December after two years of hiatus due to the pandemic.
“As a responsible Filipino citizen, I’d like to give myself a good eight, because I know that there’s always room to improve. There’s so much I don’t know. But there’s so much I’m willing to learn. And I hope to do that with you,” Borromeo replied when asked, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate yourself as a responsible Filipino citizen and why?” during the final question-and-answer portion of the competition.
Special titles were also awarded during the Grand Coronation Night. The Best in National Costume is Graciella Lehmann, while Gabrielle Basiano won Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown. Ma. Isabela David was named Best Talent, Ylla Marie Aduana was awarded Face of Binibini, Eiffel Janell Rosalita won Bb. Friendship, and Roberta Angela Tamondong won Bb. Philippine Airlines.
Meanwhile, TV personality and comedienne Nicole Budol bagged seven special awards: Bb. Shein, Bb. Pizza Hut, Bb. Kumu, Jag Queen, Bb. Silka, Bb. World Balance and the Manila Bulletin Readers’ Choice Award.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss Grand International 2016 1st Runner-Up Nicole Cordoves returned to host the much-anticipated event, making this year the second year in a row that an all-female pair hosted the Bb. Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night.
The event was judged by Hellenic Republic Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President George Barcelon, Founder and Model Director of Slay Model Management Cecilio ‘Cece’ Asuncion, Miss Globe 2015 Ann Colis, Miss International First Runner-Up Ahtisa Manalo, actress Jane De Leon, actor Joshua Garcia, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, and members of the BPCI Executive Committee.
Pinoy-pop group SB19, the artists for this year’s Binibining Pilipinas theme song, performed during the opening of the pageant as well as before the new queens were named as winners. Actress Maymay Entrata also gave a dazzling performance of her hit single “Amaakabogera” during the swimsuit round, where the candidates sizzled in designs by veteran stylist and official swimwear provider Justine Aliman.
Photos by Teddy Pelaez