ARANETA COLISEUM - March 7, 2009
7:00pm - The most highly anticipated event of the year in Philippine pageantry is only an hour away. The main lobby of the red and green entrances of the Araneta Coliseum was buzzing with people, both ticket holders for the event and people that were just satisfying their curiosity.
They've already started letting people in as early as 6pm and you can feel the anxiousness in the air. The upper section of the coliseum started filling up with fans, complete with their specially made banners, streamers and signs to cheer on their favorites. The patron and VIP patron seats were still pretty empty except for a few early birds.
8:00pm - The entire place is now riddled with fans, family and friends of this year's candidates as the VIP's started strutting in. Some local celebrities including former Miss Universe 1973, Margarita Moran-Florendo, walked down the isle in her gorgeous beaded red evening gown. Several more former Binibining Pilipinas title holders started coming in. It was obvious that the live show was running late.
8:30pm - The very distinguished panel of judges were led towards their spot in the front of the stage. This year's judges consist of: actor/model/TV host Richard Gomez; Colombian Arturo Marquez; Sofitel General Manager Bert Schneider; PBA Player Mac-mac Cardona; Governor Jun Ynares; Singer Regine Velasquez; Pakistani Ambassador to the Philippines Muhammad Khan; Miss Universe 1969, Gloria Diaz; Diplomat Aseris Prates; General Alex Yano; Betsy Westendorp; and Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban (Chairman of the Board). This year's hosts Paolo Bediones and Iza Calzado took their spot on stage. An announcement was made that the pageant was about the begin and the crowd went wild. Screaming fans in the upper section raised their banners and streamers while family and friends of candidate number 11, Regina Hahn, who almost occupied the entire back VIP section, started screaming as well. Also present was Sandra Inez Seifert, a candidate for the pageant that was disqualified 48 hours earlier for posing in a men's magazine. Sandra's friends held up a banner that says, "Sandra Inez Seifert, Miss Universe". Obviously, they were trying to make a point to Stella Marquez de Araneta, President of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc., who just walked in and took her seat next to the judges.
9:00pm - The show began with the three current title holders; Patricia Fernandez, Bb. Pilipinas-International; Jennifer Barrientos, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and Danielle Castano, Bb. Pilipinas-World, coming out of a gigantic mirror ball that had some technical difficulties. The ball did not rotate properly and got stuck three quarters of the way around. The 23 candidates appeared on stage in brightly-colored rain coats at first that resembled oversized clown costumes. Halfway through the opening number, the candidates removed their coats to reveal their sexy outfits. The opening number was not as grand and spectacular as the one last year but it focused more on the candidates themselves this year. It was simple, fun and very Miss USA-like.
9:30pm - The swimsuit competition started with the first 12 candidates. There was 10-minute intermission before the second batch of 11 candidates were presented. Several special awards were given immediately after. Candidate number 15, Pamela Bianca Manalo garnered two awards that included Miss Natasha and Best In Swimsuit. Candidate number 3, Richell Angalot won Miss Natasha Beauty, candidate number 22, Priscilla Mae Honorio got the Miss Salsa Jeans Award while candidate number 17, Marie-Ann Umali was voted Miss Photogenic by the press photographers.
10:30pm -The evening gown competition started as the 23 candidates paraded their gowns made by Cumbia. This year's gowns are much improved over last year, more daring and more colorful. Some of the most notable gowns were worn by candidate numbers 4, 6, 12 and 17.
Another set of awards were given. Candidate number 15, Pamela Bianca Manalo racked up a couple of more awards that included Miss Philippine Airlines and Miss Manila Bulletin. The Shopper's Choice Award, which was voted on by the members of the audience and press during the fashion show on February 28 at the Gateway Mall Activity Center, went to candidate number 3, Richell Angalot. She was also awarded Miss Talent, after her song and dance performance of "One Night Only" during the talent competition on March 1 at the same venue. Miss Friendship went to candidate number 4, Giselle Jasmin Rivamonte.
11:30pm - The pageant acknowledged the presence of over 20 previous Binibining Pilipinas title holders that included Pilar Pilapil, Gionna Cabrera, Nina Ricci Alagao, Chiqui Brosas, Criselda "Dang" Cecilio, Maria Isabel Lopez, Aurora Pijuan, Alma Concepcion and Maricarl Tolosa just to name a few.
12:00am - The ten semi finalists were announced. The list included candidate numbers 11-Regina Hahn, 23-Barbara Salvador, 9-April Love Jordan, 22-Priscilla Mae Honorio, 5-Diana Arevalo, 20-Melody Gersbach, 3-Richell Angalot, 17-Marie Ann Umali, 1-Vanessa Johnson and 15-Pamela Bianca Manalo. There was a definite disapproval in the crowd. Some people were not embarrassed to voice out their disappointments. Some people were unsure of why crowd-favorites like candidate number 2, Carisheila May Kuijpers, who performed flawlessly, was completely ignored. Another of the favorites, candidate number 6, Ma. Paula Bianca Paz, who appeared in an exquisite evening gown and closely resembled Jennifer Lopez, was also left out of the top 10. And then there was candidate number 24, Abigail Lesley Cruz, who won Best in Swimsuit and a second runner up at Binibining Pilipinas two years ago. There were some controversy surrounding Abigail joining the pageant this year despite the fact that her boyfriend is the host of the pageant, Paolo Bediones.
12:30am - The interview competition began with a great answer from candidate number 11, Regina Hahn. She is the daughter of former Binibining Pilipinas-Universe, Chiqui Brosas, who placed 4th Runner Up at the 1975 Miss Universe Pageant held in San Salvador, El Salvador. That set the tone for the rest of the 9 other candidates, who also responded intelligently to the judges' questions. This portion of the competition always generates controversy. The pageant is constantly reminded of the embarrassing interviews that happened last year, particularly the response given by the top winner, Janina San Miguel, who attracted major attention. She was ridiculed on the internet for months after she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-World. Janina ended up relinquishing her title later in the year for personal reasons.
The pageant gave out honorary awards to three of its former title holders; Gloria Diaz, Margarita Moran-Florendo and Aurora Pijuan. Each of these women were recognized for their achievement of capturing the titles of 1969 Miss Universe, 1973 Miss Universe and 1970 Miss International respectively. They were awarded especially-made crystal trophies, which were given to them by the reigning title holders, Patricia Fernandez, Jennifer Barrientos and Danielle Castano.
The top 10 were then serenaded by members of the Philippine Military Academy Choir and by actor/model/singer, Dingdong Dantes.
1:20am - After an agonizing half hour break, the winners were finally announced:
2nd Runner Up - Candidate No. 11 - Regina Hahn
1st Runner Up - Candidate No. 3 - Richell Angalot
Bb. Pilipinas-International - Candidate No. 20 - Melody Gersbach
Bb. Pilipinas-Universe - Candidate No. 20 - Pamela Bianca Manalo
Bb. Pilipinas-World - Candidate No. 17 - Marie-Ann Umali
Each of the title holders will represent the Philippines in Macau,China/Tokyo,Japan for the Miss International Beauty Pageant, in Paradise Island in the Bahamas for the Miss Universe Pageant and in Johannesburg, South Africa for the Miss World Pageant.
Overall, the pageant was a complete success and the Philippines has now revealed to the world their country's representatives for 2009.
Pageantlovers.com congratulates all the winners and we'll see you again soon in our next coverage, Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on April 19.
