Since the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 screenings will finally begin February 12 – or Friday next week – allow me to give the still-uninitiated followers an idea as to how it usually works. Based on the conduct of the filtering process during the past few years, that is. Keep in mind, though, that having the Monet Ballroom of Novotel Manila Araneta Center as venue for the upcoming activity could pave the way for some stricter changes. But in general, this is how it would usually go.

Best foot forward all the time!

Day 1: Along with pre-assigned numbers, all the ladies who filed their applications, passed an initial review of submitted documents and received a call or message will converge at the assigned location and face the panel in groups of seven or eight depending on how many the actual screenees are. This can take a long while to finish, but at the end of an extensive review, the first cut will be made and the remaining qualifiers will be asked to return for the next round of judging.

Day 2: The next callback usually takes place after a one- or two-day skip. The next level gets tougher with the still-standing comers – minus more or less 1/4 of the initial number – getting scored for a second time. The eyes of the judges become more keen and their questions harder. By now, more than half of the Official Candidate slots have already been filled in their minds so there is more focus now on the ones who are still tagged as “middling” or “undecided” on the scoresheets. This is where the cut is likely to be the smallest as most everyone remaining will be given all the chance to prove their worth up until the crucial day of selection.

Day 3: This is the most difficult part because all the ones left are almost shoo-ins to become Official Candidates. The last day of screening will have approximately half of the original applicants and where the difference between getting in or not can be truly heartbreaking depending on what number is on target to be filled – 30, 35, 40 or more. Day 3 is the longest. There were even years when the final day of screening would reach close to midnight and all.

Height is also looked at more microscopically, and some background check findings forwarded to make it easy to say “thank you but no thanks” to those who might have potential problems in their bid due to an assortment of reasons (like existing endorsement contracts, citizenship issues, residency concerns, questions on previously-published photos etc) that come into significant play.

 

 
Once the members of the screening panel are happy with their choices, envelopes – containing a simple congratulatory message or otherwise – will be handed out to the ladies. The rejected ones will now slip out of the venue with either forced smiles or obvious disappointments in their faces. The successful Binibinis will now be called onstage one by one, handed a single stem of rose and proclaimed as the Official Candidates. Photo ops follow as the new batch of contenders become known.

So there. That wasn’t very hard, right? Just kidding. The Bb. Pilipinas screening is truly a challenge. Making it gives a sense of fulfillment that cannot be easily matched.

So who do you think will be the final selection for Bb. Pilipinas 2016? You will find out soon enough, dear readers. 😉