There was no science involved when I came up with my nominations for Bb. Pilipinas 2018. I trusted my gut-feel more than anything else, and mixed in a couple of pageant factors that would make certain candidates be part of the five-women queue for a specific title. And to my pleasant surprise, I was actually able to halve the forty (40) Binibinis without me even making conscious head counts. All the ones who received at least one nomination are included.
Thus, it makes a lot of sense now that my upper-tier twenty are:
#Binibini1 Vickie Marie Rushton
#Binibini3 Muriel Orais
#Binibini7 Sigrid Grace Flores
#Binibini10 Kayesha Chua
#Binibini11 Aya Abesamis
#Binibini14 Samantha Mae Bernardo
#Binibini15 Juliana Kapeundl
#Binibini17 Ma Ahtisa Manalo
#Binibini19 Michele Gumabao
#Binibini20 Catriona Gray
#Binibini23 Ena Velasco
#Binibini24 Edjelyn Joy Gamboa
#Binibini26 Wynonah Buot
#Binibini31 Jehza Huelar
#Binibini32 Eva Patalinjug
#Binibini33 Stephanie Joy Abellanida
#Binibini35 Sandra Lemonon
#Binibini36 Loren Mar Artajos
#Binibini37 Patrizia Garcia
#Binibini38 Karen Gallman
Not to entirely spoil my Final Predictions scheduled for March 16, but the nominees are definitely the group where I will pick my titleholders.
And just like the Grammys or the Oscars, receiving more than one citation is not a guarantee of victory. They merely fit for more than one title, as per my consideration.
It all started inside Monet Ballroom of Novotel Manila Araneta Center where the forty (40) Binibinis were individually introduced to members of the media during the Press Presentation of Bb. Pilipinas 2018. From there, everyone trooped to the poolside on the 6th floor for the traditional group photos in one line-up. They wore identical blue two-piece swimsuits from DR Swim.
Earlier today, the Binibinis of Bb. Pilipinas 2018 visited the Headquarters of the AFP Health Service Command at V. Luna Hospital to bring gifts and cheer to the soldier-patients. BPCI Chair Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta accompanied them. This is the first charity event of the 2018 batch. 
For several years now, the relationship has not changed. It has grown even stronger, if I may add. 
Last year, this Batangueña made her first attempt at winning a national crown. She was your Binibini 28 – Juliana Kapeundl – from Balayan. The Certified Public Accountant who does auditing work was visibly thrilled at making it to the official roster. The journey was a great learning experience that prompted her to try for a second time. Lessons were learned. Improvements put in place. And a relatively more aggressive personal is now in full harness.
The #AQ2018 Presentation Show was held at the Mayuree 2 Ballroom of Dusit Thani Manila hours earlier where members of the camp’s Class of 2018 were presented to selected members of the media and invited guests. But before I give you some juicy details, let me clarify first that the more than twenty beauties presented are being fielded not only in Bb. Pilipinas 2018, but also Miss World Philippines and – possibly – Mutya ng Pilipinas. And there are two (2) more ladies – relative thoroughbreds in my opinion – have not been introduced yet. I was told that these duo will beat the deadline set by BPCI. If you want clues, check the final sentence in this entry.
Now how about the two heavyweights I mentioned above? Well, let’s just say that they could spell a good difference in the competition the minute they formally file their respective applications. One is a crossover national titleholder, while the other lady is the daughter of a former Bb. Pilipinas titleholder. Call it Alcoholics Anonymous meets Fifty Shades Freed. (Get it?) 😉 
normannorman.com 