


First of all, please accept my apologies if I cannot upload the frontal photos of the ladies just yet. Everyone who attended were requested by Aces & Queens to refrain from posting obvious shots first for justified reasons. There is no still no guarantee that all twenty-four (24) beauties presented will make it as Binibinis for Bb. Pilipinas 2017. To avoid any untoward online remarks or banters about one lady making it or not, we all agreed to have their clear photos posted only after the final selection has been made.But rest assured, a lot of the girls I have previously blogged – and easily identified as trained by Aces & Queens – are part of this group of two dozen hopefuls. The usual suspects were present, such as Charmaine Elima, Dindi Pajares, Mariel de Leon, Arienne Calingo, Jehza Huelar, Chanel Olive Thomas and Katarina Rodriguez. These are just seven (7) names so far. So between now and February 27, there will be some guessing game among all of you as to who the other seventeen (17) are.
You want a few clues? There is a Filipina-Mestiza who studied in Barcelona but with both parents certified Pinoys. There is a professional model who is just a tad shy of 6 feet tall from way up north. And there is a tall camp crossover whose name I just cannot reveal for the meantime.
All I can say for now is that this is a strong group of contenders. A little more than a few of them may still be raw and inexperienced, but they make up for the lack of pageant exposure with impressive communication skills and facial features that aren’t easy to forget.
By the way, it was also a mock pageant where the initial standouts were given special prizes by sponsors and cash rewards by the pillars of Aces & Queens. The panel of judges in this part included Mafae Yunon, Christi McGarry, Bianca Guidotti and Jennifer Hammond. Miss Grand International 2016 1st Runner-Up Nicole Cordoves hosted the entire program.
In addition, the ladies were dressed in gowns by new A&Q house designers (and friends) Mikee Andrei, Pablo Mendez and Claiza Bihasa. Shoes provided by Jojo Bragais. And the host venue was Mahyuree Ballroom 1 of Dusit Thani Manila.
More about the Presentation show soon! 🙂
Bb. Pilipinas World 2003 and Miss World 2003 Top 5 Finalist Ma. Rafaela Verdadero Yunon during her glory year.
Back in 2003, Bb. Pilipinas-World 2003 Ma. Rafaela “Mafae” Verdadero Yunon gave the Philippines much reason to hope for its first Miss World crown. In Sanya, China, she wasn’t only one of the top favorites going into the finals, she was also one of the most stylish ladies in the batch. From Day 1, everyone saw how meticulously-prepared her wardrobe was as she often appeared in every activity garbed in sophisticated attires.
And as we all know by now, she reserved her biggest fashion surprise on coronation night when she appeared onstage garbed in a fab flaming red Versace gown matched with killer red heels that naturally made heads turn. She made Top 10 and Top 5. While everyone was expecting that she would reach Top 3 at least (it seemed like the crown was already earmarked for Ireland’s Rosanna Davison at the time), she was stopped in her tracks and had to be contended with a spot in the final quintet.
In my mind, Mafae remains to be one of the genuine fashionistas among all our Bb. Pilipinas winners. That may sound like a big statement, but to date, she has always been a joy to watch even in her most dressed-down self. No fashion police will score her low on almost any given public appearance. 😉
Okay, before anyone replies in opposition that Ruffa Gutierrez (1993), Gwen Ruais (2011) or even Mafae Yunon (2003) should have been the Philippines’ 2nd Miss World titleholder, do keep in mind that they were not the eventual choices of the judges to win. Jamaica’s Lisa Hanna, Venezuela’s Ivian Sarcos and Ireland’s Rosanna Davidson – respectively – were favored over our entries.
Back in 1973, Miss World 1st Runner-Up Evangeline Pascual was offered the crown after Marjorie Wallace of the USA abdicated the throne. That would have been our first taste of victory, however automatic succession helped in the process. But our bet declined. Watch her performance during the finals where she wowed the judges.
courtesy of MrSuperBlackDragon
And then back in 2004, it was the only year in Miss World history where the winner was determined by way of online votes and SMS. In short, the people had control of who will land on top. I have nothing against Maju Mantilla of Peru (who won), but I still could not fathom how the Philippines was outvoted in the final tally. In fact, it was only Claudia Julissa Cruz Rodriguez of Dominican Republic (1st Princess) who I considered our toughest opponent, voting-wise. And among all the ladies in the Top 5, the Philippines is the only country known to be a worldwide leader in churning out an endless brigade of voters for their beauty rep. Reminisce Karla’s Top 5 interview below.
courtesy of missmundo2006
So in my books, Maria Karla Rabanal Bautista could technically have been our “2nd Miss World” winner. Global netizens may have declared her as the least facially-attractive finalist that year. But rules are rules. The Filipinos did their part and voted like crazy until the end, only to be slapped with a placement even lower than 2nd Princess.
And what was practiced (with doubtful results) during Miss World 2004 never happened in the succeeding years anymore. Lessons learned for Julia Morley, perhaps.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Cory Quirino’s Fusion Excel group can eclipse BPCI’s performance and finally produce the Philippines’ first Miss World titleholder. 😉