BINIBINING PILIPINAS 2022: AT THE HOMESTRETCH (CONCLUSION)

31 LAGUNA – Yllana Marie Aduana. She’s attractive, though I don’t really consider among the prettiest faces, but she has a bright, bubbly personality that she’s a standout charmer and one with an inside track to the Top 13. I – 9, GI – 9, IC – 8.5, TMG – 8.5.

32 BATANGAS – Anna Carres de Mesa. I find her looks similar to 31 LAGUNA, but her communication skills, though solid, is not at the bubbly level of her fellow CALABARZON counterpart. Hence it will be an uphill climb for her to make the Top 13, but if there was an expanded Top 25 roster, she would’ve made that cut. I – 8, GI – 8, IC – 8, TMG – 8.

33 CAVITE – Mary Justinne Punsalang. She’s attractive and a very polished and confident communicator, which can be explained by her journalism background. She could be a sleeper surprise for the Top 13 as she could shine in interview. I – 9, GI – 9, IC – 8.5, TMG – 8.5.

34 ZAMBALES – Christine Opiaza. There are some pageant pundits who feel she could be a Top 13 finisher, but with some of the interview footage I see, I feel she might be at a disadvantage as she is overshadowed by stronger communicators out there. Still, if enough judges are in the mood for an exotic looker, she can fit the bill. I – 8.5, GI – 8.5, IC – 9, TMG – 9.

35 NUEVA ECIJA – Diana Mackey. This mestiza is a confident communicator and a great looker, so she seems to have an inside track to the Top 13. I – 9, GI – 9, IC – 9, TMG – 9.

36 TANJAY, NEGROS ORIENTAL – Jannine Navarro. She’s an attractive native looker who could be considered a worthwhile contender. I – 7.5, GI – 8, IC – 8, TMG – 8.

37 CATANDUANES – Eiffel Rosalita. She’s an attractive lady and a good communicator, but not enough to have an inside track to the Top 13. I – 8, GI – 8, IC – 8, TMG – 8.

38 LA UNION – Ethel Abellanosa. She’s generally solid, though in terms of communication skills it seems she’s overshadowed by stronger communicators out there. I – 7.5, GI – 8, IC – 7.5, TMG – 7.5.

39 TARLAC PROVINCE – Jasmine Omay. For a first-timer in pageants, she actually looks very polished, especially in the communications department. She could be one to watch out in interview if she makes the Top 13. I – 9, GI – 9, IC – 9, TMG – 9.

40 SAN PABLO, LAGUNA – Roberta Tamondong. There are some touting her as a possible titleholder, and I can see that, especially as she has great looks and sterling communication skills. I can see that, but I do notice that she sometimes push her advocacy (environmental awareness) a tad too hard that she’s coming off a bit patty, but if on finals night she makes her advocacy heartfelf, she can indeed nail a title. I – 9.5, GI – 9.5, IC – 9.5, TMG – 9.5.

This pageant is one of the toughest to call this year, as all 40 Binibinis are worthy. Nevertheless, here is my “Fearful” Forecast on how the results are going to pan out:

CROWN WINNERS: 05 ILOILO CITY, 17 TACLOBAN CITY, 23 CEBU, 28 BORONGAN, EASTERN SAMAR

WINNERS’ CIRCLE: 01 CAINTA, RIZAL, 40 SAN PABLO, LAGUNA

TOP 13: 07 ORIENTAL MINDORO, 08 ANGONO, RIZAL, 09 MARABUT, WESTERN SAMAR, 25 BATAAN, 30 ALBAY, 31 LAGUNA, 35 NUEVA ECIJA

BUBBLING UNDER: 02 CAMARINES SUR 04 CARCAR CITY, CEBU, 06 DAVAO DEL SUR, 10 SARANGANI, 14 BULACAN, 15 GUIGUINTO, BULACAN, 18 MEXICO, PAMPANGA, 20 IBA, ZAMBALES, 24 QUEZON CITY, 26 PORAC, PAMPANGA, 27 FLORIDABLANCA, PAMPANGA, 32 BATANGAS 33 CAVITE, 34 ZAMBALES, 39 TARLAC PROVINCE

STRIKING DISTANCE: EVERYONE ELSE

Only selecting a Top 13 out of this batch is a travesty as there are several outstanding contenders who deserve to be spotlighted and given an onstage interview. Still, we have to salute this pageant for still generating buzz and maintaining prestige despite not possessing the franchises to the two premier international pageants, and we’ll be rooting many of these ladies’ forays in the international pageant arenas.

JUST ME!

JOSEPH

BINIBINING PILIPINAS 2022: AT THE HOMESTRETCH (PART 3)

21 LIPA CITY, BATANGAS – Gracia Elizabetta Mendoza. She may have relative plain features but she’s a great communicator and a charming personality. I – 7, GI – 7.5, IC – 7, TMG – 7.5.

22 DAVAO ORIENTAL – Joanna Ricci Alajar. She’s good looking and a solid communicator, but with some stellar communicators out there, she may not make enough standout impression to make the Top 13. I – 8, GI – 8, IC – 8, TMG – 8.

23 CEBU – Nicole Borromeo. There are pageant fans and pundits hyping her as one of the likeliest titleholders in this batch. Yes, she’s good looking but I’m not that into her looks for some odd reason. However, she has this distinctive low voice and she exudes a lot of substance whenever she speaks, so that might be the factor that can clinch her one of the titles at stake–question is, which one. I – 9.5, GI – 9.5, IC – 9.5, TMG – 9.5.

24 QUEZON CITY – Patricia Samantha Go. Her features are undeniably very Asian. She has strong communications and exudes a lot of charm, but would that be enough for her to make the Top 13? I – 8, GI – 8.5, IC – 8.5, TMG – 8.

25 BATAAN – Annalena Lakrini. She exudes a European vibe as she’s half-German. Like 23 CEBU, she has a low voice and is a solid communicator. She is a Top 13 possibility. I – 9, GI – 8.5, IC – 9.5, TMG – 9.5.

26 PORAC, PAMPANGA – Cyrille Payumo. She’s good looking and a solid communicator. Another one who would’ve benefited if we expand the roster to a Top 25, as it’s going to be tough to crack the Top 13. I – 8.5, GI – 8.5, IC – 8.5, TMG – 8.5.

27 FLORIDABLANCA, PAMPANGA – Jessica Rose McEwen. She is like her provincemate 26 PORAC, PAMPANGA, but with the level slightly ramped up, so she could be knocking on Top 13’s door. I – 9, GI – 9, IC – 9, TMG – 9.

28 BORONGAN, EASTERN SAMAR – Gabrielle Basiano. She was last year’s 1st runner-up, so it’s obvious she’s gunning for a title. It’s definitely within reach but it’s a bit cutthroat this year with several title-worthy contenders to deal with, so she has to be on-point when it counts in order to clinch a title. I – 9.5, GI – 9.5, IC – 9.5, TMG – 9.5.

29 MARIKINA CITY – Mariella Esguerra. This is her first time competing in a national pageant, and it shows, though she is polished enough to be considered a worthwhile contender but definitely she’s overshadowed by the standouts out there. i – 7.5, GI – 8, IC -7.5, TMG – 7.5.

30 ALBAY – Jashmine Lynn Dimaculangan. She’s a Top 13 finisher from last year who is also aiming for something higher. It looks like she’ll again be a lock for the Top 13, but not certain if she’ll make the winners’ circle. I – 9, GI – 9, IC – 9, TMG – 9.

COMING UP: BINIBINIS 31 to 40 plus The “FEARFUL” FORECAST

BINIBINING PILIPINAS 2022: AT THE HOMESTRETCH (PART 2)

11 MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Esel Mae Pabiliran. She’s solid all throughout, but solid is not enough with this high level of quality candidates. If there was a Top 25, she would probably make it but Top 13 seems to be a tough challenge with so many standouts out there. I – 8, GI – 8, IC – 8, TMG – 8.

12 SULTAN KUDARAT – Leslie Avila. She is one of the native lookers in this batch, and also one of the newbies and it kinda shows as her communication skills need polishing. Her prospects depends on the presence of judges who gravitate towards native looks like hers and less polished communication skills. I – 7, GI – 7.5, IC – 8, TMG – 7.5.

13 MASBATE CITY – Patricia Ann Tan. It’s hard to believe she’s a “replacement” candidate, as she is great looking though admittedly she’s competing more at a “solid” level than at an elevated Top 13-worty level. Still, she should be considered a worthwhile contender. I – 8, GI – 8, IC – 8, TMG – 8.

14 BULACAN – Joanna Day. I tend to gravitate towards mestizas like her, so I consider her one of the prettiest contenders in this year’s pageant. She’s not a weak communicator, but I feel that she tends to be overshadowed by the slicker, more confident communicators out there. She could still conceivably make the Top 13, but that is if there is a heavier weight towards beauty of face over other qualities. I – 9, GI – 8, IC – 9, TMG – 9.

15 GUIGUINTO, BULACAN – Nyca Mae Bernardo. She was earlier shortlisted in Miss Universe Philippines this year, but didn’t make the Top 32. She seems to be shining better here, and indeed a Top 13 finish is within reach. I – 8.5, GI – 8.5, IC – 8.5, TMG – 8.5.

16 DAVAO CITY – Jeriza Uy. She’s attractive and a confident speaker, but not necessarily generating enough charisma to be buzzed about as a Top 13 contender. Still, she’s a worthwhile contender. I – 8, GI – 8, IC – 8, TMG – 8.

17 TACLOBAN CITY – Chelsea Fernandez. She exudes confidence, and is great looking. She’s receiving buzz as a possible titleholder, possibly even garnering the plummiest title of Miss International (though she’ll compete the following year instead of this year). I can definitely see that as she does possess oodles of charisma. I – 9.5, GI – 9.5, IC – 9.5, TMG – 9.5.

18 MEXICO, PAMPANGA – Ma. Isabela David. She is also surprisingly a “replacement” candidate, but for me she seems to be competing at a high level as I find her a very thoughtful and reflective communicator and she has great looks. In fact, I can see her as a Top 13 possibility. It would be sweet vengeance for those who earlier screened her and not include her in the initial roster. I – 8.5, GI – 8.5, IC – 8.5, TMG – 8.5.

19 QUEZON PROVINCE – Ira Patricia Malaluan. She’s a good speaker, but again she doesn’t quite have the charisma exhibited by other candidates, so I can only peg her as a worthwhile contender. She is one who would’ve benefited if there is an initial cut to a Top 25, but that’s not happening this year. I – 8, GI – 8.5, IC – 8, TMG – 8.

20 IBA, ZAMBALES – Joanna Marie Rabe. It’s also hard to believe she’s also a “replacement” candidate as she’s competing at a high level. She’s polished and a good communicator. Would there be room for her in the Top 13? It’s still possible but this is a highly competitive batch. I – 8.5, GI – 8, IC – 8.5, TMG – 8.5.

COMING UP: BINIBINIS 21 to 30