In a live online gathering held on Saturday, the 2019 Binibining Pilipinas Queens made effort to ask for donation for the Operation Relief Efforts of Araneta City to Help (REACH) for the benefit of typhoon Ulysses victims in Metro Manila.
The official Facebook page of Binibining Pilipinas (@BBPilipinasOfficial) focused on #IAmBinibini: Online Chikahan with Binibining Pilipinas 2019 Queens to help raise funds for families displaced and affected by Typhoon Ulysses.
Bb. Pilipinas 2019 Queens led by Gazini Ganados (Universe) with Patch Magtanong (International), Resham Saeed (Supranational), Aya Abesamis (Grand International), Emma Tiglao (Intercontinental) and 2019 Miss Globe 2nd runner-up Leren Mae Bautista, along with 2020 Bb. Pilipinas candidate Samantha Bernardo, spearheaded the live virtual fund-raising activity.
“Seeing the headlines, the damage and destruction faced by our countrymen, we felt a strong need to do something. We want to give back and use the platform that we have to help in our own little way,” Magtanong said.
All donations can be coursed via Gcash, PayMaya or go to www.ticketnet.com.ph for pledges and other inquiries.
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Bringing comfort this pandemic-plagued holiday season
The traditional Araneta Center Giant Christmas Tree Lighting, on its 39th year, was held virtually coinciding with the launching of Operation REACH. The program, hosted by Robi Domingo and singer Anna Ramsey, featured guests performances streamed via BPCI official Facebook and Youtube pages.
With the holiday theme “Comfort and Joys at the City of Firsts,” the giant Christmas Tree of predominantly red and silver trimmings and the word "hope" emblazoned on its pedestal, was set at the Times Square Food Park and aims to bring joy and hope and comfort to the public this holiday season amid these trying times of the pandemic.
“We understand how the pandemic has affected everything, including the way we’ll welcome and celebrate Christmas,” said AVP for Marketing of Araneta City Marjorie Go.
Comedian/television host Vice Ganda graced the virtual show event with “Tawag ng Tanghalan” champion Janine Berdin, The Voice Teens’ Jeremy Glinoga and OPM/indie band December Avenue.
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Bulaqueña named 4th runner-up at Miss Globe 2020
The Philippines’ Rowena Sasuluya was named fourth runner-up in Miss Globe 2020 pageant held in Tirana, Albania recently. Kosovo’s Lorinda Kolgeci won the title with Siberia's Matveeva Evgenia, 1st runner-up, Ghana's Naomi Chioma Anene, 2nd runner-up, and Brazil's Thawany Aparecida De Faria, 3rd runner-up.
Sasuluya, aka Rowee Lucero, 25, is a social studies teacher from Guiguinto, Bulacan. During the pageant she was given the People's Choice award.
"I dedicate this competition to all my countrymen to stay strong and keep the faith that we can survive this trial as we all work together especially with the help and prayers of community of nation across the Globe," Sasuluya posted on Instagram hours before the finals, hearing about the destruction from typhoon Ulysses.
Sasuluya, who loves to travel, works with Le Premier Language which offers Asian and European languages training, and A-HA! Learning Center, the first free tutoring center for public school kids in the Philippines.
The statuesque Bulaqueña, who was first runner up in Miss Global Philippines 2017 and earlier competed in Miss Face Of The Universe 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria, is one of the official candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2020 search which selects the country’s representative in Miss Globe. When the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) said it would not be sending a representative in this year’s Miss Globe owing to COVID-19, the Kagandahang Flores (KF) beauty camp hand-picked Sasuluya to compete as a fill-in delegate. Sasuluya followed on last year’s 2nd runner-up finish of Leren Mae Bautista.