#Pasabog from #Binibini40 Roberta Tamondong:
THE BINIBINING PILIPINAS & ITS CROWNS | MISS INTERNATIONAL
Did you know that the first Miss International title holder is Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta, the chairman of Binibining Pilipinas Organization? And today, she deserves the spotlight.
MARÍA STELLA MÁRQUEZ-ARANETA,
the First Miss International Title Holder
At age 23, she competed in the first Miss International pageant held in Long Beach, California in 1960, becoming the first Miss International, and also the first Latin American titleholder in that line of pageants.
Miss International is a Japanese-based international beauty pageant organized by The International Culture Association. The pageant advocacy is to achieve a world where women can live with positivity, inner strength and individuality. The slogan of Miss International is to “correct understanding of Japan in the international community” and “the realization of world peace through mutual understanding”. The Miss International Organization has opened doors to 6 Filipinas, making Philippines the second country to win the most number of Miss International titles.
Today, Mrs. Araneta is working as the chairman of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated for more than 5 decades. BPCI is the organization that gave the Philippines pride and honor in the world of pageantry.
BINIBINING PILIPINAS 2022
BB 40 | SAN PABLO, LAGUNA
ROBERTA TAMONDONG
Director & Editor | Elishua Balinton
Designer | Alison Castro
Stylist | Roman RS Sebastian
Photographer | Ren Gabriel Lucas Buluran
Makeup Artist | Raffy Prieto Francisco
Hair Stylist | Morris Caisip Elunio
Accessories | Christopher E Munar
Whenever I chat with our Binibining Pilipinas International Hannah Arnold, she always lets her hair down. But her photo below for Cream Silk Philippines is a real scene-stealer. 
With the recent tweet of the Miss International Organization stressing that they are not open to holding a virtual pageant, rumors are strong that the Japan-based competition might be postponed due to the pandemic. Perhaps, they have learned their lessons from the Tokyo Olympics hosting. Instead of creating problems, it won’t come as a surprise if a 2022 playdate will take over. But since no formal announcement has been made, there is still a glimmer of hope of a delay but still within the year. 
As for the other Queens of Binibining Pilipinas, Cindy Obeñita is a go for Miss Intercontinental in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt come late October and Maureen Montagne is preparing for an early November staging of The Miss Globe in Albania. 
And now I present to you Team Venezuela 2020 who were just crowned as representatives of the South American country in the three biggest pageants:
You wouldn’t want to miss the #instagramlive chat of two Miss Universe titleholders – the reigning, Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa and the 2003 winner Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic.
Miss World 2019 Toni-ann Singh of Jamaica lends us a queenly presence in her latest shots below.
Meanwhile, Miss International 2019 Bint Sireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand glows in her latest photos taken by Wasunpas Photographer. 
Finally, here are BTS shots of Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel during the official photoshoot for Miss Earth Puerto Rico 2021 held at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico in San Juan.
Now it can be told.
Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder why a woman as beautiful as Vickie Marie Rushton has not won a Bb. Pilipinas crown until now. Perhaps, it’s the effect of her latest photos here that sets me up to thinking about her pageant fate. 
It all started from humble beginnings. Back in the mid-90s, the group fielded a sole candidate – Sonia Santiago – for Bb. Pilipinas 1996. In between, more beautiful Filipinas started undergoing training and polish for bigger beauty competitions. And in the process, a good number of the ladies started winning national titles left and right, until their successes were justly rewarded when Precious Lara Quigaman was crowned Miss International 2005 – their very first claim to grand slam fame.
Below is a rundown of the KF alumni who went on to win their international pageants, either here or abroad:
I can remember during one of his past interviews (watch below) for Assignment Asia of the China Global Television Network (CGTN) how Rodgil called beauty aspirants – “beauty athletes” – because all the learnings are continuously practiced in their individual lives outside the confines of the camp itself. I could not think of a more appropriate term that could better that.
normannorman.com 