Catriona Gray Leads the Winning Queens of Bb. Pilipinas for 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As evident from the constant cheers for Catriona Gray everytime she steps on stage, she wouldn't be the grand winner of the Miss Universe Philippines title if the crowd at the Araneta Coliseum does not believe in her appropriateness to win the top crown. I have not heard anything louder than what I witnessed at the Big Dome. It was beyond deafening and we were not trained to exaggerate. I've watched previous runs of Bb. Pilipinas and nothing yet compares to how the crowd goes wild for Catriona. She totally captured the love and support of the people, in and out of the Coliseum. The cheers for Catriona Gray, followed by Michelle Gumabao, are intoxicating since the two have constantly won the hearts of the audience at every category including the Q&A.. I'm totally sure that night that the two of them will be among the winners. ...and I was not wrong. Though you could almost predict without any doubt that Catriona will win the highest title, she may still make a mistake in the Q&A portion. But the lady is so confident that she aced it. The only thing we were wondering is which titles will the runners up (meaning not only 2nd and 1st runners up but also the other 5 queens) get. It wasa good sight that all the 8 ladies called with recognition were given crowns. They are all deserving as beauty queens. The great thing about watching live at the actual venue is you get to witness several behind the scene happenings ... including a Pia Wurtzbach Official singing to spend the waiting time before going on air as host of the Bb. Pilipinas (Official) grand coronation night. Kalog talaga ang Miss Universe natin. Pia Wurtzbach is still my Bb. Pilipinas and Miss Universe -confidently beautiful with a heart queen - for being so wacky and fun-loving. I could say new winners should emulate her but our uniqueness, and imperfections, are what makes us more interesting. So Catrina has to set the level higher. Something which I thoroughly believe she can manage well. Connect na connect sa crowd! This happened during th the delayed TV broadcast of ABS-CBN. Congratulations to all the winners, and the rest of the candidates! Being among the 40 candidates is already an honor because the selection process before getting accepted as a candidate is as tough as some of the much-awaited Q&A. Below is the official press release:

After weeks of rigorous screening, holistic trainings and activities, six worthy, modern and empowered women have been proclaimed as Binibining Pilipinas 2018 queens in the grand coronation held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on March 18.

All hail the new queens! After weeks of rigorous screening, holistic trainings and activities, six worthy, modern and empowered women have been proclaimed as Binibining Pilipinas 2018 queens in the grand coronation held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on March 18. Crowd favorite Catriona Gray, a 24-year-old professional model and musician from Albay was named Miss Universe Philippines. She wowed the judges with her message to the women of war-torn Marawi. The statuesque Rachel Peters, who finished in the top 10 of the Miss Universe 2017 pageant, crowned Gray. Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, one of the youngest contestants in this batch and a fresh Accountancy graduate from Candelaria, Quezon, emerged as Binibining Pilipinas International. Mariel de Leon, who has a budding showbiz career passed her crown to Manalo. Third time proved to be the charm for Jehza Mae Huelar, 23, from Davao City as she bagged the Binibining Pilipinas Supranational title. This was the third time Huelar joined the pageant. The amiable Chanel Olive Thomas, who finished in the Top 10 of the Miss Suparanation pageant crowned Huelar. Registered nurse and law student Eva Psychee Patalinjug from Cebu was adjudged Binibining Pilipinas Grand International. Elizabeth Clenci, who emerged second runner up in Miss Grand International, passed her crown to Patalinjug. Karen Gallman, a 25-year-old native of Bohol who worked as an analyst in London, was named Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental. Katarina Rodriguez, who came so close to bringing the country’s first Miss Intercontinental crown, passed her title to Gallman. Professional volleyball player, 25, from Quezon City was named Binibining Pilipinas Globe. Nelda Ibe, who brought pride to the country as Miss Globe first runner up, crowned Gumabao. Actress Vickie Rushton emerged as first runner up, while competitive dancer Samantha Bernardo was named second runner up. These lucky and lovely ladies, armed with beauty and wit, hope to live up to the Philippines’ reputation as a powerhouse in international pageants. Pia Wurtzbach, the Philippines’ 3rd Miss Universe who won in 2015, hosted the ceremony with actor Richard Gutierrez. The pageant paid homage to Filipino artistry, particularly designer Pitoy Moreno, a former member of the Binibinig Pilipinas Charities Inc. executive committee, who passed away last January 15. The Top 15: Binibini 1, Vickie Rushton Binibini 3, Muriel Orais Binibini 11, Aya Abesamis Binibini 14, Samantha Bernardo Binibini 15, Juliana Kapeundl Binibini 17, Ma. Ahtisa Manalo Binibini 19, Michele Gumabao Binibini 20, Catriona Gray Binibini 21, Anjame Magbitang Binibini 24, Edjelyn Joy Gamboa Binibini 26, Wynonah Buot Binibini 31, Jehza Huelar Binibini 32, Eva Patalinjug Binibini 35, Sandra Lemonon Binibini 38, Karen Gallman Gray dominated the special awards as she was awarded Best in Long Gown, Best in Swimwear, Pitoy Moreno Best in National Costume, Jag Denim Queen and Miss Ever Bilena. Gumabao was awarded Binibining Cream Silk, while Patalinjug was named Face of Binibini. Orais was awarded Binibining Philippine Airlines, while Bernardo was voted Manila Bulletin Reader’s Choice Award winner. Semifinalist Shane Tormes was awarded Binibining Friendship and Binibining Best in Talent. Caption: New Binibining Pilipinas Queens crowned, from left to right: Samantha Bernardo, second runner up; Michele Gumabao, Binibining Pilipinas Globe; Eva Patalinjug, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International; Catriona Gray, Miss Universe Philippines; Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, Binibining Pilipinas International; Jehza Mae Huelar, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational; Karen Gallman, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental; and Vickie Rushton, first runner up. Photo from Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc.