By | Nheri Delos Santos
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Binibining Pilipinas recently crowned new queens at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray, expressed her excitement, highlighting the coronation’s significance. Newly-crowned Binibining Pilipinas International, Myrna Esguerra of Abra, shares the name with the pageant’s first-ever queen, Myrna Panlilio. The event also crowned Jasmin Bungay of Pampanga as Binibining Pilipinas Globe, with Christal Dela Cruz as first runner-up and Trisha Martinez as second runner-up.
The coronation, featuring over 100 former winners including Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, and Pia Wurtzbach on the judging panel, was the grandest in Binibining Pilipinas history.
Hosted by Catriona Gray and fellow beauty queens Nicole Cordoves, Ruffa Gutierrez, Kylie Versoza, and MJ Lastimosa, the event showcased the journey of Binibining Pilipinas 2024.
In a show of women’s empowerment, the panel of judges comprised entirely of accomplished women evaluated 40 candidates from across the Philippines. This panel included beauty and wellness entrepreneur Rhea Tan, Alas Pilipinas volleyball player Fifi Sharma, Member of Binibining Pilipinas executive committee and chairman of the board of judges, Conchitina Sevilla-Bernardo, Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago, Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran, and Miss International 2023 Andrea Rubio (from Venezuela).
The 60th anniversary of Binibining Pilipinas is now etched in history, celebrated with a plethora of queens and crowns, marking a milestone like no other.