Binibining Cebu

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Apriel Smith: Is there pressure for her to say yes in 2020?

Posted by Norman on December 18, 2019
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .



Flashback to 2018 during the Preliminary Competition of Binibining Cebu when I got the chance to have a chit-chat with Apriel Smith (still the reigning titleholder then). I asked her right away if she will return to the nationals after serving her contract with the regional organization. She quickly answered “not yet, Tito”. “Perhaps in two years?”, I asked. And she gave a meaningful smile.

So I skipped on nagging Apriel about the matter for a period of one year. And it is only now that I am blogging about her. 2020 is barely two weeks away. Applications for Miss Universe Philippines are now open. And I reckon that this is the time she is waiting for.

I want Apriel to join not just because she will definitely be a physical standout. She has also matured a lot from the first time she joined Bb. Pilipinas up to her triumph as the first Binibining Cebu. She has the right mind set plus a more open heart that can withstand the rigors and demands of the same. Pressure is part and parcel of everything. The grace to handle the same is now in place.

Binibining Cebu now open to #SingleMoms

Posted by Norman on August 10, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

Binibining CEBU welcomes #SingleMoms to join the annual search

The Binibining Cebu screening committee accepts single mothers who meet all the qualifications of the pageant. We believe that conceiving, bearing and raising a child is an empowering process that allows a woman to exercise her moral authority, choice and freedom.

By taking on the responsibility of singlehandedly raising a child by choice or circumstance, and despite the stigma and hardships associated with being unwed, a woman sets an example of courage, strength and resolve.

Binibining Cebu believes in fostering opportunities and removing obstacles for women. It is the biggest platform in the country for women of diverse backgrounds to share their ideals, values and experiences while promoting the beauty of Cebu. Just like encouraging the use of the vernacular, also a first among pageants, Binibining Cebu will defy norms in its quest to promote Cebuano culture, social responsibility, and women empowerment.
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I doff my hat to the organizers for this positive development in the pageant.

What do you think, dear readers?

Be the next Binibining Cebu

Posted by Norman on August 2, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

Be the Next Binibining Cebu

The search continues for the next Binibining Cebu as the reign of Apriel Smith, the first ever Binibining Cebu comes to a close.

“Binibining Cebu is not your typical pageant. We celebrated Cebuano culture and immersed ourselves in various charity works. It was a fruitful journey and my reign made me realize my greater purpose,” said Apriel.

Binibining Cebu seeks to honor Cebu’s diversity and colorful stories through a celebration of heritage and beauty. Each of the island’s 44 municipalities and nine cities will be represented by a candidate who will showcase its attractions, indigenous products, and culture.

“We Cebuanas are independent and fearless. We’re so fortunate to be in a province where there are a lot more places and faces that are yet to be discovered,” muses Binibining Cebu Tourism 2017, Samantha Lo.

The pageant welcomes all naturally born female citizens who are 5’4” and above in height when barefoot and are between 17-26 years old on or before coronation night. She must have sufficient knowledge of the historic events, festivals, products, tourist spots, and other information of the place she is representing.

The pageant remains to be the biggest in the country in terms of prizes. The winner will receive Php 500,000 in cash and Php 300,000 in kind, while the 1st runner up will receive Php 300,000 in cash and Php100,000 in kind, the 2nd runner up with Php 200,000 in cash and Php50,000 in kind, while the 3rd and 4th runners up will receive Php 100,000 and Php 75,000 in cash, respectively. The municipality that the winners represent will also receive prizes between Php 50,000 to Php 200,000.

“For my outreach activity, I was able to organize a livelihood program for the mothers in Gawad Kalinga Village Ticad, Bantayan. It was really heartwarming and I always knew I was made for charity,” said Maria Gigante, Binibining Cebu Charity 2017.

Interested applicants may visit the Binibining Cebu office at The Greenery, Pope John Paul II Avenue, Mabolo, Cebu City on or before August 4, 2018 or fill up a form via http://www.binibiningcebu.com/online_entry. Deadline for applications is on August 4, 2018.

Updates are posted on the Binibining Cebu on Facebook at fb.com/BinibiningCebu or on Instagram @BinibiningCebu. For inquiries, please contact (032) 324 4942, +63 917 555 5348, or +63 929 340 5305.

Sunday Specials: “I have my bet to win Miss Earth 2017!” – Katherine Espin

Posted by Norman on October 29, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

Miss Earth 2016 Katherine Espin as judge during last night’s Binibining Cebu finals

On the way to the Cebu International Airport late this morning, I rode the airport van that brought yours truly along with Miss Earth 2016 Katherine Espin and Armin Adina of the Philippine Daily Inquirer straight to Departures. All three of us attended last night’s Binibining Cebu Finals.

Katherine was quite busy on the phone the whole time. But the minute she hanged up, I jumped at the opportunity to ask her a couple of questions about the nearing end of her reign. She is a bit sad that everything will be over soon, but is accepting of the fact she cannot be the reigning Miss Earth longer than she would have wanted to. I asked her pointblank – who do you want to be your successor?

“I have my bet for Miss Earth 2017! And she is ********” (I had to hide the answer in asterisks to be fair to the other candidates reading this blog), Katherine quickly responded.

“Being Miss Earth is a difficult job so the next girl should be a good spokesperson for the organization. She needs to speak well everywhere she goes.” added Katherine

I’m just happy that we are on the same page regarding the subject matter. And by now, you should have a pretty good idea who she wants to take over on November 4. 🙂

Below is a teaser of the Miss Earth 2017 finals to be aired on FoxLife.

courtesy of Edgar Petallo

Sunday Specials: Apriel Smith crowned as the first-ever Binibining Cebu

Posted by Norman on October 29, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

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A dream fulfilled for former Bb. Pilipinas candidate Apriel Smith after she was crowned as the first-ever Binibining Cebu during an excellently-staged finals of the pageant at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug. She wins P500,000.00 in cash plus prizes that would total her haul to a million pesos. This aside from being the face and spokesperson of the entire province and wearing the crown designed by Cary Santiago.

The two other titleholders are Samantha Ashley Lo who was named Binibining Cebu Tourism and Maria Gigante as Binibining Cebu Charity. 1st Runner-Up is Ingrid Elizabeth Gerodias with Kathleen Mae Lendio as 2nd Runner-Up.

Maria Gigante wins Binibining Cebu Charity

Samantha Lo was crowned Binibining Cebu Tourism

Congratulations to all the winners, but most especially to Apriel who dreamt of winning this crown for the longest time!

Interesting Details about (the first-ever) Binibining Cebu

Posted by Norman on October 28, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Interesting details about the Binibining CEBU Coronation Night at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Lahug:

1) There will be five (5) major placements – three (3) titleholders and two (2) runners-up. The titles at stake are Binibining Cebu 2017, Binibining Cebu Charity and Binibining Cebu Tourism;

2) The Board of Judges include (Chairwoman) Charo Santos Concio of ABS-CBN, Anton San Diego (Editor-in-Chief) of Philippine Tatler, Angelito Banayo Chairman of the Board of Directors of MECO, Rolly Macasaet, Miss Earth 2016 Katherine Espin, Miss Asia Pacific International President Jacqueline Tan-Sainz and Frederic Go (President) of Robinsons Land Corporation;

3) Hosts will be Father-and-Son Edu & Luis Manzano and the Guest Performers are headlined by popular TV/Film Actor James Reid, Hey Joe Show, Don Juan, Zsari Vidal, Pintaflores Dance Company, Josh Marquina, Next Stage Band and DJ Gio;

4) Pageant Director is Victor Cuenco, with Stage Design by Kenneth Cobonpue, Evening Gown and Crown Design by Cary Santiago and Swimsuits by SOLTI Activewear;

5) Most importantly, Binibining Cebu is the biggest, grandest, and the most prestigious pageant in the region as presented by the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation, Inc. with its Project Chairman Raymond Tio.

Final Rehearsals of Binibining Cebu

normannorman.com is all set for tonight’s coverage!

#BinibiningCebu
Bigseed Public Relations & Events

My Choices for Binibining Cebu

Posted by Norman on October 27, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

My Top 20 Picks for Binibining Cebu

With fifty-four (54) Official Candidates to review for this Binibining Cebu Final Predictions, there are two options any pageant enthusiast would consider: one, go for the popular, familiar and most likely winners to make the effort less difficult; or two, take a risk on either the less hyped or running underdogs who could pull surprise wins tomorrow night at the Pacific Ballroom of Waterfront Hotel and Casino. I combined both and here now are the names of my Top 20:


Tracy Maureen Perez for Argao
Samantha Ashley Lo for Asturias
Apriel Smith for Badian
Maria Gigante for Bantayan
Charissa Claire Tabar for Barili
Moselblick Madera for Carmen
Khyra Quinn R. Adams for Cebu City North
Lyka Glice Galeos of Compostela
Karen Laurrie B. Mendoza for Cordova
Luzenne Sanchez Jones for Daanbantayan
Lou Dominique A. Piczon for Dalaguete
Kathleen Mae G. Lendio for Danao City
Monica Tawide for Madridejos
Malka Shaver for Mandaue City
Nica Soza Nabua for Medellin
Ingrid Elizabeth Gerodias for Minglanilla
Marjorie Campoamor for Pilar Camotes
Megan Deen Campbell for Ronda
Natasha Angela Manuel for Santa Fe
Shane Ann. S. Jereza for Tudela

My Top 10 for Binibining Cebu

Once more, I gave the remaining twenty (20) on my list a good mix and removed half of the roster to come up with a Top 10 where the heavy favorites are occupying the highest tier even in alphabetical order of the city/town/municipality they represent.

It is clear at this point that Samantha Lo of Asturias, Apriel Smith of Badian and Maria Gigante of Bantayan are blazing in their efforts to win. And if the report I received is true, there will be three (3) crowns at stake. The only details I am not yet privy to are the specific titles that will appear on the sashes.

Now who could join them in the Top 5? I am leaning towards Ingrid Elizabeth Gerodias of Minglanilla, Megan Deen Campbell of Ronda, Lou Dominique Piczon of Dalaguete and Moselblick Madera of Carmen. Two of them could finish in the magic circle, or all four could be runners-up if the court headcount will increase to seven (7).

My Top 7 for Binibining Cebu (bottom row left to right): Apriel Smith, Maria Gigante and Samantha Lo; (top row left to right): Lou Piczon, Megan Campbell, Ingrid Gerodias & Moselblick Madera


Your blogger has been invited by Bigseed PR/Events to cover the finals itself so I can personally witness the historic inaugural edition of Binibining Cebu LIVE. Watch out for my report here on normannorman.com 🙂