Sofia Rudyeva wins Miss Russia-2009

MOSCOW, March 9 (Itar-Tass) -- Sofia Rudyeva, 18, from St. Petersburg has won the title of Miss Russia-2009. The jury of the contest, which was at the Manezh Exhibition Hall in downtown Moscow on Saturday, elected Rudyeva from 50 most beautiful young women of the country. However, the names of the winners were announced only on Sunday. The conditions of the contest were such.

First Vice-Miss became Svetlana Stepankovskaya from the Krasnodar Territory. Second Vice-Miss – Kseniya Shepilova from Kokhmy in the Ivanovo region.

Sofia Rudyeva will represent Russia at the forthcoming Miss World beauty pageant.

Svetlana Stepankovskaya from the Krasnodar region of Russia took the second place, whereas Ksenia Shepilova from the town of Kokhma, the Inanovo region, came third. In addition to the tittles, the girl obtained a unique opportunity to choose any educational institution of the world where they would like to study free of charge.

Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela, and Miss World 2008, Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia, attended the ceremony as guests of honor. The jury – Olga Slutsker, the president of World Class fitness clubs, Alena Doletskaya, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, pop singer Dmitry Malikov, restaurant keeper Arkady Novikov, fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin and Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza – were quick in making their decision. Dayana Mendoza announced the winner.

Sofia Rudyeva has been in the modeling business for several years already. She took part in a number of professional fashion shows.

Miss Russia Pageant is a Russian beauty pageant for young women. The pageants have been running since the year 1993, however it did not take place in 1994 and 2000. Since 2007 Miss Russia finalists represent Russia in both Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. Russia has a total of 3 major international pageants winners: Miss World 1992, Miss Universe 2002 and Miss World 2008. Miss Russia 2007 Ksenia Sukhinova was declared Miss World 2008 at the grand finale in Johannesburg on 13th December, 2008.

St. Petersburg Model Crowned Miss Russia

An 18-year-old model from St. Petersburg has won this year's Miss Russia title by humming a song from composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

Sophia Rudyeva was chosen from 50 contestants by a jury in Moscow's Manezh Central Exhibition Hall on Sunday.

The winner seemingly impressed the jury not just by her long, dark hair and her near-perfect vital statistics of 88-60-89 but also by her ability to improvise music.

In a so-called intellectual contest, pop singer and juror Dmitry Malikov asked if she could name her favorite composer and render some of his music. Rudyeva promptly mentioned Rimsky-Korsakov and hummed "The Flight of the Bumblebee," an interlude from the composer's "The Tale of Tsar Sultan" opera, written in 1899-1900, RIA-Novosti reported.

Rudyeva made headlines already last week when she beat her native peers, Miss St. Petersburg and Miss Leningrad Region, at a casting for the show in Moscow.

Her entry was helped by a change of the contest's regulations, which formerly stipulated that only winners of regional contests could participate, Komsomolskaya Pravda reported.

This year, anybody could sign up for a casting by filling out an application form on the web site Miss-Russia.ru.

Rudyeva took a prize of $100,000, which she said she would largely give to charity, and a chance to represent Russia at the next Miss Universe and Miss World contests.

The winner of the last Miss Russia contest, in December 2007, Ksenia Sukhinova, won the Miss World contest held in December 2008 in South Africa.

Sukhinova and the current Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza from Venezuela, both appeared at Sunday's contest, RIA-Novosti reported.

Miss Russia was not the country's only beauty pageant to coincide with International Women's Day, which was celebrated Sunday.

Rosatom, the country's atomic industry conglomerate, announced on its web site Friday that Yekaterina Bulgakova, a 25-year-old legal adviser at a nuclear research facility in the Ulyanov region, had won the annual Miss Atom contest for the most beautiful nuclear industry worker.

A women's prison in Selo Gornoye, a town about 160 kilometers from Vladivostok, held a Lady Spring 2009 beauty contest on Thursday.

The beauty pageant business is back

Another set of national beauties was crowned during the 2009 Binibining Pilipinas pageant at the Araneta Coliseum last Saturday night (telecast was on GMA 7). It turned out that it was the beauty contest’s 45th anniversary, but I only found out about that when host Iza Calzado said so toward the end of the three-hour show.

No, there was no grandness to the production, but director Al Quinn still put together a very cohesive show.

The opening number, however, was overextended — with the contestants dancing in what looked like light, but colorful overcoats that they eventually peeled off to reveal casual clothes that they wore while introducing themselves to the Araneta crowd and to the viewers at home.

I don’t know if it was my TV set or the lighting in the coliseum, but no one looked impressive in that part of the show, except maybe for Rich Asuncion, who I thought that time was a cross between Pilar Pilapil and a now very pretty Imee Marcos. And it was only then that I found out her real name was Richelle Angalot. To think I’ve known her this long — she being part of our group that graces openings of Flawless branches all over the country.

When the show got into the swimsuit competition — with the contestants doing the mandatory poses in a resort in Batangas — I thought most of the shots were unflattering. Was it the camera angles that showed most of the contestants with bulging midsections? It was either that or the contestants had too much Pizza Hut.

Then I saw the tale of the tape flashed on one side of the screen: Some of the girls had waistlines as wide as 26”. You could actually mount a flat screen on each of them. To the pageant organizers, send the winners to Gold’s Gym — pronto.

The program, of course, had other features aside from the contestants parading around the stage. This being the pageant’s 45th year, they gathered as many former Binibining Pilipinas winners as possible. Great idea, but messy and tedious in execution.

The cameras could not locate the former titlists. They were either on the wings of the stage waiting for their duties as presenters or scattered all over the coliseum. Some of the names called by host Paolo Bediones probably weren’t even in the venue — like Pilar Pilapil, for example.

In one segment of the pageant — still in line with the organization’s 45th year — handsome glass trophies were presented to the Pinay beauty queens who brought home major international beauty titles. Only three were honored in that portion of the show: Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran and Aurora Pijuan.

Of course, Gemma Cruz wasn’t there because when she won Miss International, Binibining Pilipinas was not yet the local franchise holder of the then Long Beach-based international beauty pageant (besides, didn’t she picket outside the Araneta Coliseum during an edition of the Binibining Pilipinas in the ‘70s and denounced beauty contests as a mere exploitation of women?). But baffling was the non-appearance of Melanie Marquez, while the absence of Precious Lara Quigaman only confirmed rumors that she is at odds with the Binibini organization after she and other beauty queens put up their own pageant last year.

But back to the real stars of the program: The contestants vying for the three major titles at stake. After the presentation of special awards, they were made to parade in evening gowns to the tune of a jazzed-up Hindi Kita Malimot, the arrangement of which worked well for the segment.

Then it was time to reveal the 10 semi-finalists and 2007 second runner-up Abby Cruz, who joined a second time hoping to finally bag one of the crowns, wasn’t in the list. Abby is actually even prettier now, but at 5’5” she was easily dwarfed by the taller candidates. But I have to give it to Paolo for not letting the unfortunate turn of events for his girlfriend Abby affect his job as pageant host. He went on with the show like a pro — like he didn’t have to do a lot of comforting later that night. His female co-hosts Iza and Carlene Aguilar also carried on with their duties like veteran special events emcees.

After the announcement of the 10 semi-finalists came the much-awaited question and answer portion. To the disappointment of the Araneta Coliseum hecklers (and even those at home), there was no Janina San Miguel. Playing it safe, none of the girls winged on and on and most of them kept their answers short and rushed to end their statements with their that’s-all-thank you safety net.

But while grammars were correct and their sentences were well put together and made for pleasant listening, most of the answers were lacking in substance. Very Chiz Escudero — you know, nice to listen to, but is there actually anything there?

But I did admire the contestants even more by the time they got to this round because — for all that pressure (what with the crowd waiting to boo and jeer them with one single slip of the tongue) — they got out of that alive and in one piece. And quite frankly, some of the questions that came from the judges were crappy and didn’t deserve decent answers.

As the pageant got deeper into the night, I noticed that the girls were finally getting prettier. Not just pretty, but lovely. Maybe because there were just 10 of them and that made it easier to dissect every face and figure.

Right before the names of the winners were announced, I had finally placed my bets (I was slow that night). Second runner-up was Regina Hahn, daughter of one-time TV personality Chiqui Brosas, who earlier was 1975 Binibining Pilipinas and fourth runner-up in that year’s Miss Universe pageant. Regina has great personality and maybe should have joined the contest earlier. This close to getting a title was first runner-up Richelle Angalot, who probably should join again another time (or wait for one of the winners to get into trouble and assume the crown).

The Binibining Pilipinas-International title was given to Melody Gershback, who, with her very mestiza features, is so doll-like — very much the kind of look they favor in Miss International. For Miss Universe, they are sending Pamela Bianca Manalo, sister of Binibining Pilipinas-World 2002 Kate Manalo and niece of former Binibining Pilipinas-International Nini Ramos Licaros, who was the producer of Eh, Kasi Babae in the ‘80s.

Chosen to represent the country in the Miss World contest is Marie Ann Umali, another pageant repeater, but is now a big winner — thanks to the unmatched regal bearing she displayed that night of the contest.

Also a big winner was the pageant show itself. In spite of those little rough edges along the way, it was basically smooth and entertaining. The telecast of the coronation night also scored 18.7 percent, which was high enough considering the fact that it started airing at almost 11 p.m. (Eat, Bulaga! and Startalk both went overtime because of the tribute to Francis Magalona and pushed the primetime schedule back.)

Apparently, the interest in beauty pageants is back and the Binibining Pilipinas organizers have Janina San Miguel from last year to thank for that.

Miss Philippines crowned

MANILA - WINNERS for this year's Miss Philippines beauty pageant were crowned in the Philippines on Sunday.

Businesswoman Melody Gersbach, 23, will represent the country in Miss International. Flight attendant Pamela Bianca Manalo, 22, was chosen to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, and tourism graduate Marie Ann Umali, 22, for Miss World.

The three ladies beat 24 others to the crowns at the competition finals, which took place at Quezon City in Manila.

The beauty pageant took place on Saturday March 7, 2009 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The program was hosted by Paolo Bediones and Iza Calzad and broadcast live in the Philippines over GMA channels.

In total there were three Binibining Pilipinas 2009 winners, the other two winners were Melody Gersbach, crowned Binibining Pilipinas-International and Pamela Bianca Manalo, crowned Binibining Pilipinas-Universe.

Marie-Ann Umali also won the Best in Long Gown and Miss Photogenic plum contests during the pageant. (A talent competition was also held, a week earlier.) She competed against 23 finalists to win the crown; one finalist of the original, Sandra Inez Seifert, was disqualified when it was discovered she had posed for a provocative photo spread in a men’s magazine.

As Binibining Pilipinas World, Marie-Ann Umali will now go on to compete in the Miss World pageant in South Africa later this year.

The beauty pageant, which stretched into the early hours of Sunday morning, March 8, also featured guest appearances from JC Tiuseco, Aljur Abrenica, Dingdong Dantes and the PMA Choir. Additionally, the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. honored the legendary fashion designer Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, Gloria Diaz (Miss Universe 1969), Margie Moran (Miss Universe 1973) and Aurora Pijuan for their noteworthy contributions to Philippine culture and society.


Marie-Ann Umali is 22 years old. She was born in Batangas City, Batangas, in the Philippines. She is 5′7″ tall and her measurements are 35-25 1/2-36.

She received a B.S. in tourism and graduated from DLSU College of St. Benilde and she aspires to become a flight attendant and to open and run her own restaurant. She has previously competed in other beauty pageants: 2006 Bb. Lungsod ng Batangas (3rd Runner up) and 2006 Bb. Pilipinas Candidate.

When asked during the pageant what her idea of fun is, she said it is being yourself and living a positive outlook on life.

Now having achieved a goal, Marie-Ann Umali is Miss Philippines and a promising future awaits.

Ms. Earth bets to join DZMM's 'run for nature'

Before the race for the Ms. Earth crown, Ms. Earth 2009 contestants will run and take part in the “DZMM Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan Year 10” on March 8. As nature-lovers, the ladies gave their support for DZMM’s annual marathon for the benefit of the environment.

Last year, proceeds of the fun-run went to the maintenance and protection of over 400 trees in the La Mesa Watershed, the water repository of 12 million Metro Manila residents.

Before the gun goes off, there will be warm-up exercises led by fitness expert Dan Cabiling of Gold's Gym with “Wowowee’s” ASF Dancers.

The race, which will start and end at the Quirino Grandstand, will pass through Manila’s historical districts.
Joining the beauty queens in the run are DZMM anchors Ted Failon, Cory Quirino, Tintin Bersola, Julius Babao, Korina Sanchez, plus thousands of professional runners, athletes, health enthusiasts, environmental advocates, and students.
To cap the event, DZMM will not only award the fastest finishers of the marathon but will also honor ten outstanding environment advocates or the “Kapamilya Para Sa Kalikasan.”

These are citizens from the government, non-government organizations, and the private sector who have made significant contributions to the cause of conservation.

Over P 100,000 worth of cash and prizes will be given away on race day for the male and female placers in the 3k, 5k, and 10k categories. For the 10k race, 4th to 10th placers will also receive prizes from DZMM.

Previous “Takbo” champions will also vie for the Hall of Fame award to be given to former winners.

“The annual success of Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan is the success of every Filipino. Every step, every stride of our runners is for our environment,” said DZMM station manager Angelo Palmones.

DZMM will also award the largest contingents from government agencies, non-government organizations, and academic institutions, as well as the first student finishers and the oldest runners in the field.

The top ten registered families to complete the race will also receive prizes.

To join the “DZMM Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan Year 10,” simply call the secretariat at (02) 9244101 local 5603, 5674, or 5638 or visit the DZMM website at www.dzmm.com.ph.

Jennifer Hawkins lights way for future Miss Universe beauty queens

Times are tough when a former Miss Universe doesn't have a job on television. But don't expect Jennifer Hawkins to be standing in the dole queue any time soon.

Five years after reaching the very top of the beauty pageant business -- and it is a business -- she is still the most bankable star in the country, with estimated earnings of around $7 million a year in endorsements and appearances.

Not bad for a 25-year-old former cheerleader from Newcastle.

Even though her shows Make Me a Supermodel and The Great Outdoors have been shelved, there's no chance Channel 7 will let her go.

In fact they'll probably give her any role she wants. Anything to stop the other networks stealing her away. News, Jennifer? Why not!

There are many, many beautiful women in this country, so why is Hawkins so popular? What makes her stand out from all the other clothes horses who have ambitions of a career on the box?
For starters, she's actually good, unlike some other Aussie pin-ups who've tested the TV waters -- in a bikini, of course -- only to be sent packing back to the catwalk.

Sure, Hawkins has the distinction of having held the title as the most beautiful woman in the world.
But she also has something much more valuable: the brains to know that other women hold the key to her success on the small screen.

Yes, we know blokes love her. That much is obvious.

But what makes Jen so remarkable is that most women do, too. Perhaps not in the same way as the blokes, but what I mean is she isn't threatening to women -- you wouldn't mind having a yarn and a glass of wine with her.

She is a non-threatening beauty. And that's the key for beauty queens to turn a catwalk career into something a little more enduring -- likeability by both sexes equals bankability.

Gorgeous women who succeed always risk falling victim to that quirky Aussie trait, the tall-poppy syndrome.

We've all done it. It's when we decide that someone is getting too big for their boots, or stilettos as the case may be, and they need to be cut down to size.

And other women are more often than not the worst offenders. We are particularly vicious when it comes to our own sex.

There's nothing new to seeing beauty queens on TV. American television networks are absolutely chockers with high-profile women who have a sash at home in the cupboard.

Even Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin was crowned Miss Wasilla in 1984.

But now, in Australia, years after the death of the iconic Miss Australia Quest, we're seeing a new wave of ambitious and beautiful women. Women who are not ashamed to use their beauty and brains as a shortcut to a career.

Go to any beauty pageant, quest or ``Miss fast car/bikini'' competition and most of the entrants will tell you their ambition is to be on television.

And why not? A sash and a title, once considered a little daggy, is now proven to be a very effective entree into the television world.

It's a great way to get through the door, but without personality or talent, it's generally a short stay.
Erin McNaught, Laura Dundovic and Kimberley Busteed are all recent Miss Universe Australia title-holders, who are trying their luck in television. Time will tell if they make it.

Without doubt, the resurgence in the beauty quest or pageant is due to the success of Jennifer Hawkins.

She turned her title into the most remarkable career, in which she is not only wealthy but liked and respected by both sexes. Not even accidentally flashing her G-string-clad bottom to the world during a shopping centre parade could hurt her. In fact, it made her all the more human.

She's not just the glossy goddess gracing the pages of our Myer catalogue. She's flesh and blood, just like us.

Models are a dime a dozen on television; beauty queens are something quite different.

Open Letter to P.M. Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia - MILLENNIUM pageant

Your Excellency Mr Prime Minister,

I write to you to bring to your attention a serious miscarriage of justice and violation of trust and ethical behavior that simply has no excuse and defies all rationale behavior for Government Officials of the federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

In 2007 as you and the great nation of Ethiopia were all aware a special event marking Ethiopia's Millennium the Ethiopian International MILLENNIUM pageant was organized in Ethiopia, that event saw 37 International Beauty queens visit Ethiopia for the first time and promoted Ethiopia to the world and experiences Ethiopia's Tourism and cultural attractions.

Sir, that event did not happen by accident, we were contacted by Officials of the Ministry of Culture of Tourism to produce the event for your government, we submitted a budget and cost estimate as well as a final invoice for the production of that event, we were told by the State Minister for Culture and Tourism Mohamuda Ahmed Gass that Ethiopian Government regulations did not permit us to be paid in advance for the event, but once the event was done we would be paid, trusting the State Minister Mohamuda Gass to be a man of his word and Integrity, and we believed him and the government of Ethiopia to be honest and trust worthy, we gladly produced the event , we paid for clothes, crowns, sashes, gifts etc for the visiting Beauty Queens expecting to be reimbursed and paid for our services once the event was concluded per the Informal agreement entered into and guaranteed by State Minister Mohamuda Gass & the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on 11th October 2007, sadly and regrettably as of today's date, we have not be paid even a single penny, nor have any of the winners of that event ever been paid any of the prizes, neither have the hosting and production fess been paid by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in short nothing was ever paid to us by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the Ethiopian Millennium Pageant we produced 18 months ago the line constantly repeated is "WE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY" " THERE WAS A BUGET DEFICIT". "SHEIK ALAMOUDI HAS STILL NOT PAID US."

The Ministries of:
CULTURE AND TOURISM,
FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
INFORMATION,
TRADE AND INDUSTRY,
Federal Police Commission,
Ethiopian Airlines,

All sat on the so called "Organizing committee", set up for this event by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to solicit funds for the event and all benefited from the presence of the Queens in Ethiopia, as did the People of Ethiopia, The same Government officials were only to happy to be first in line to be photographed posing with the Visiting Beauties, glowing statements were made in the press by Government Ministers on "How vital this event was to improving Ethiopia's poor international image", however once the event concluded not one of the same officials from the Organizing Committee have had the moral and ethical behavior to see that the matter of paying my company for the services obtained fro us, is concluded in an honorable & Ethical everyone of them seems to have just hidden under their desks or behind their secretaries, and are now "too busy" to discuss or sort this serious matter out and we are simply being told to exercise patience, Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism have even resorted to blaming Sheik Al almoudi Claiming Al almoudi Promised but failed to help them pay some of the cost.

With the greatest amount of respect the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism is a Federally funded Ministry and not an extension of the Sheiks business empire, it is not called Minsitry of Midroc so any supposed promise made by sheik Ala mopudi or not , this should not be used a any excuse for the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism not paying what it owes us since the deadline of December 4th 2007.

Your Excellency we have been waiting since October 2007, we are now in February 2009 and nobody in the Ethiopian government seems wiling or prepared to see that this matter is settled 18 months later, how can that be? I for one never believed that the Ethiopian government does not operate ethically and honour its word, especially in the face of overwhelming evidence of the very good and positive deed that was done, but sadly here we are 18 moths later left with the final option of taking this matter and the Ethiopian Government to Court. We have rendered the service to the nation of Ethiopia for it's Millennium, that is not in doubt, but the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is working overtime on finding every excuse under the sun not to pay us, they have even blamed SHEIK ALAMOUDI for promising to pay some of the cost but not paying, Blamed a budget deficit, simply said "We have no money".

Nobody, Ethiopian Government Minister or not has any right to use and abuse his position of authority to obtain any services from anybody, and then not pay for them, I don't eat in a restaurant in Ethiopia then say" I have no money to pay when the bill is presented to me", if I did I would surely be arrested for theft of services or any other criminal charges, so why should government officials deceive and obtain service from me and then say they don't have money to pay when the invoice is delivered 18 months ago? Nobody is above the law, how ever even after we have rendered a wonderful service to the Government and people of Ethiopia for your Millennium, the excuses go on and nobody wants to pay for the services.

When dealing with matters of money, one would expect Ethiopian Government Ministers and officials to be highly ethical in their conduct at all times, in this case I would respectfully ask what happened to the 1.8 million birr the State Minster and his "Committee" collected from sponsors, that money also simply disappeared and was never paid to my company for the Promotional service it rendered?, or how the State Minster can say he spent 150,000 Birr on "Advertising" but then claim to have sold only 63 tickets from the 5 shows we held for this land mark event, but the halls were full to capacity every time?, and then to add insult to injury send an official letter to the Ethiopian Ambassador in London on 11th January 2008 ref: 2/3-72/126 denying that "The Ministry of Culture and Tourism had any say in the implementation of Miss Tourism of the Millennium".

The evidence is all around us, and a picture speaks a thousand words but i attatce a few. In addition no independently audited accounts for any of the money collected by the Ministry or taxation records have ever been released or show to us, every penny just seems to have disappeared. All attempts to get Mohammed Diriri the Minister of Culture and tourism to resolve this matter have also fallen on deaf ears and he has simply erected a wall of silence

Your Excellency, I write to you as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia to use your good office to see that this matter is concluded without the need to go to litigation, Budget deficit or not, Sheik Alamoudi's supposed promise and failure keep his promise to help pay for the event as claimed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism or not, officials at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism were 100% aware of all their financial obligations required to bring this event to Ethiopia, it was never cost free or a charity event, and State Minister Mohamuda Gass issued a written guarantee to pay. If Officials of the Ministry of Culture of Tourism were financially irresponsible and mismanaged the finances and production of this wonderful event, they should be held fully accountable for there actions be the Government of Ethiopia, But neither I should or any of the Visiting Beauty queen should be made to pay for, or suffer any financial loss their shortcomings.

Sir, it is not in Ethiopia's interest for this matter to go to Litigation in International courts ,as it will be very embarrassing for the Ethiopian Government to explain why it obtained promotional services 18 months ago, but has still not paid even one penny to the organizers, so after 17 month we simply and respectfully request ask that the total sum for the production and the sponsorship money collected and that is still owed to us by the Ministry of Culture of Tourism is paid without any further excuses or delays.

Respectfully

The Ethiopian Life Foundation
London. England

I’m from Bacolod, too, Bb. Pilipinas bet says

Sandra Inez Seifert, a contestant in the 2009 Binibining Pilipinas pageant Saturday, grew up partly in Bacolod City.

“I introduce myself as coming from Bacolod and Negros Occidental because I grew up there, too,” she said in a telephone interview yesterday.

Seifert was born in Taipei, Taiwan, to Zenaida Revilla and is a registered nurse who had also participated in the Elite Model Look 1998 pageant.

Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday said Seifert, whose mother is a friend of former Candoni Mayor Liberty Manzano, called him up to let him know that that she had joined the pageant.

She speaks fluent Ilonggo, Zayco said.

There are 24 contestants vying for this year’s Binibining Pilipinas.

The annual Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant is a project of Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization. The pageant was envisioned as a prestigious fund-raising activity for projects that would benefit orphans, indigent families and other less fortunate members of Philippine society.

The coronation night is set on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The winners who will be crowned Binibining Pilipinas International, Binibining Pilipinas Universe, and Binibining Pilipinas World will serve as the official Philippine representative to the three different international pageants.

Past beauty queens produced by the pageant are Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1969; Margie Moran, Miss Universe 1973; Aurora Pijuan, Miss International 1970; Melanie Marquez, Miss International 1979; Ruffa Gutierrez, Miss World 2nd Princess 1993; Miriam Quiambao, Miss Universe 1st Runner-up 1999; and Precious Lara Quigaman, Miss International 2005.

Jaws drop at Bb. Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) parade

“The most beautiful batch of ladies” was how Paolo Bediones described this year’s roster of Binibining Pilipinas candidates.

Paolo, who’s hosting the annual pageant with Iza Calzado, sounded very sincere — and not just because his girlfriend is rejoining the contest.

Jaws dropped as the ladies paraded in their red printed peek-a-boo Mossimo swimwear at the Sunset Pavilion of Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City last week. Pageant veterans, show biz figures and audacious newcomers are among this year’s contestants.

Paolo’s girlfriend, Abegail Cruz, was second runner up in 2007 and a GMA 7 talent. She is joined by Bianca Paz, who is Polo Ravales’ current flame. Also in the roster is Carisheila Kuijpers, Joross Gamboa’s rumored sweetheart and Estee Lauder Model Search winner in Malaysia.

Other returning candidates are former semifinalists Marie-Ann Umali and Jaysel Arrozal and Miss Philippines-Earth semifinalist and Mutya ng Pilipinas runner up April Love Jordan.

The following local beauty title holders have gotten into the fray: reigning Miss Bicolandia Melody Gersbach; Mutya ning Kapampangan 2007 and former Bb. Pilipinas contestant Keann Mallari; Miss Oriental Mindoro 2007 Diana Arevalo; Miss Cebu 2006 Stephanie Señires; Miss Makati 2006 Marie Lorraine de Guzman; Miss Cebu runner-up Priscilla Mae Honorio; and Quezon City queen Gizelle Rivamonte.

The competition could be made tougher by Regina Hahn, Miss Universe runner-up Chiqui Brosas-Hahn’s daughter, and Bianca Manalo, Miss World finalist Katherine Manalo’s sister and niece of Nini Licaros, the first woman to be crowned Bb. Pilipinas-International.

To make the judges’ job even more difficult are former “Walang Tulugan” host Sandra Seifert, “Starstruck” contestant Rich Asuncion (who’s using her real name Richell Angalot) and Miss Teen Philippines runner-up Priscilla Navidad, the hearing-impaired teen housemate in “Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition.”

Neophytes Barbara Salvador and Cheryl Oliveros, on the other hand, might stage upsets.

The pageant selects the country’s official representatives to the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International beauty contests.

The outgoing queens are hopeful that this year’s batch will produce winners abroad. Although they have their own bets, they all agree that the contestants are all beautiful and intelligent.

Miss International semifinalist Patricia Fernandez sees at least three contenders who could be short-listed for her title. “I noticed that judges in the Miss International focus on the eyes. They also do not want heavy or muscular women. They prefer cute and charming ladies,” Patricia told the Inquirer.

Danielle Castaño, who replaced Janina San Miguel as the country’s Miss World bet, thinks of four contestants who could inherit her title. “Miss World judges look for someone athletic, who could attract attention right away. She must also be humble, nice and a good role model for the youth,” said Danielle.

Jennifer Barrientos finds two ladies who fit the Miss Universe standards. “In Miss Universe, most of the ladies have modeling backgrounds. But they are not super thin. They are super sexy with a lot of character. They also embody the country they represent,” Jennifer said.

The coronation night is on March 7, 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum. GMA 7 airs the event at 10 on the same night.