I spent a big chunk of my Sunday at the Glass Ballroom of Okada Manila where I was invited to be part of the panel that conducted the mock Q&A/interviews with the seven (7) Binibinis of Aces & Queens for Binibining Pilipinas 2022. The other invited panelists were Ashties Moks Gonzáles and Candy Drilon-Dalman, beauty queen Ashley Montenegro, Adam Genato, Christian Baking (of The Qrown PH), Political Strategist Alhamed Uy and Rappler journalist Jairo Bolledo.

It was a very fulfilling experience that allowed us to assess the ladies more in-depth. Each one of them showed different styles of answering questions and expressing their views. But in general, I would say that all seven conducted themselves very well.

Below are some of my quick opinions about them:

#Binibini1 Stacey Gabriel – a very pleasant surprise who spoke with great impact. Her choice of words are well-thought of. And just when you expect her to be an out and out “inglesera”, she speaks in Filipino with just as much ease.

#Binibini14 Joanna Day – this Marine Biologist from Malolos, Bulacan knows her stuff with excellent clarity. A professional scuba diver, she convincingly expressed herself; a solid subject, I must add.

#Binibini20 Joanna Rabe – she has evolved well as a pageant candidate, and is able to personalize her advocacy for food security that helps in giving out a more relatable aura altogether.

#Binibini23 Nicole Borromeo – soft voice notwithstanding, this Cebuana has a very sincere outlook that can make any listener sit up and take notice of how she details her most authentic self with unmistakable charm.

#Binibini24 Patricia Samantha Go – this tall and personable Binibini grows on any interviewer the minute she reveals her special qualities as an individual. She can be unapologetically honest and that makes for a very interesting conversation that could score well on any judge’s score card.

#Binibini38 Ethel Abellanosa – clearly the most emotional among the seven, she has reached that point in her pageant career where there is no mincing of words anymore. She knows what she wants, but is also realistic about how to take the results – good or otherwise. I love her candid self.

#Binibini40 Roberta Tamondong – a real trouper who went through the challenging day despite being under the weather. She may be the youngest among them at 19, but shows the most polish. Her pageant experience clearly shows, while knowing when to stop short of giving in to any kind of pageant-patty ways. She is the camp’s flag-bearer for BBP.

I wish all seven the best in the remaining weeks of Binibining Pilipinas. At least two of them (Tamondong and Borromeo) can easily get clear shots for two of the crowns at stake, with a third one (Gabriel) possibly inching her way to the top if the breaks go her way.