The Parade of Beauties for the forty lovely candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2024 halted traffic as it passed by the streets in Araneta City, swarmed by a big crowd of enthralled fans and passersby on Sunday.
The motorcade of the competing Binibinis, wearing blue swimsuits by Justine Aliman and purple, light pink floral, and Anahaw-inspired headdresses, culminated with a runway presentation at The Lagoon in Gateway Mall 2.
The much-anticipated Parade of Beauties was the latest component event of the Bb. Pilipinas search, leading to the ‘60th Diamond Anniversary’ Coronation Night, set on July 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where more than a hundred past winners will gather on one stage for a grand historic reunion of Bb. Pilipinas queens.
Getting big cheers from the crowd and pleasant reviews from pageant experts were candidates Myrna Esguerra of Abra, Samantha Acosta of Bulacan Province, Marikit Manaois of Baguio, Vera Dickinson of Tarlac Province, Trisha Martinez of Pila, Laguna, Liezle Jones of Ormoc City, Monica Acuno of Kalayaan Laguna, Phoebe Godinez of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Shaira Marie Rona of Mandaluyong, and Christal Dela Cruz of Zambales.
Joining the parade were Bb. Pilipinas International 2023 Angelica Lopez and Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2023 Anna Lakrini, along with Bb. Pilipinas 2023 first runner-up Katrina Anne Johnson and second runner-up Atasha Reign Patani.
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Glitz and glamor at 2nd Gawad Dangal Filipino Awards
A star-studded 2nd Gawad Dangal Filipino Awards 2024, which celebrates the best in the entertainment, media, and business sectors, was recently held at Sequoia Hotel Manila Bay in Parañaque. The Gawad Dangal, headed by CEO/president Romm Burlat, also gave its own Film and TV Awards in various categories.
Celebrities honored included Eva Darren (Most Empowered Veteran Actress of the Year), Carmi Martin (Most Empowered Actress of the Decade), and Gino Padilla (Valuable Singing Icon of the Decade).
Beauty queens recognized were Melanie Marquez (Outstanding Beauty Queen & Model & Empowered Female Celebrity of the Year), Michelle Dee (Most Empowered Beauty Queen of the Year), and Miriam Quiambao (Most Empowered International Title Holder of the Year). Misters of Filipinas and Man Hot Star International 2024 RJ De Vera won Empowered Male Model of the Year.
Lovely Rivero, Sheryl Cruz, and Kim Chiu won Best TV Actress of the Year, while Rayver Cruz and Paulo Avelino won Best TV Actor of the Year. Performers Kris Lawrence was awarded Best Concert Performer of the Year, while Dulce was awarded the Hall of Fame, Asia’s Most Important Singer/Performer.
The Awardees in Film were Best Actress Maricel Soriano (In His Mother’s Eyes), Best Actor Piolo Pascual (Mallari), and Roderick Paulate (In His Mother’s Eyes), Best Supporting Actress Alessandra De Rossi (Firefly), Best Supporting Actor LA Santos (In His Mother’s Eyes), Best Picture In His Mother’s Eyes, and Best Director FM Reyes (In His Mother’s Eyes).
Pageant Columnist of the Year was awarded to this writer for Manila Standard.