BB. PILIPINAS 2018 WINNERS

Catriona Gray bested out 39 candidates in last night's Bb. Pilipinas pageant.  Catriona not only bagged the most coveted Miss Universe Philippines crown, she also took home 5 special awards namely: Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Best in National Costume (Pitoy Moreno national costume award) and two corporate awards (Ever Bilena and Jag Jeans).  Catriona was the absolute crowd favorite.  She received the loudest cheers from the crowd of around 15,000 cheering fans.  The Araneta Coliseum was filled to the rafters and the noise inside was insane with fans chanting and playing plastic trumpets, we could hardly hear the hosts and the contestants during the Q&A round.  Yes, it happens perhaps only in the Philippines.  

Here's the full list of winners:

Miss Universe-Philippines 2018 - Catriona Gray 

Bb. Pilipinas-International Ma. Ahtisa Manalo

Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational Jehza Huelar

Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental Karen Gallman

Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International Eva Patalinjug

Bb. Pilipinas-Globe Michele Gumabao

1st runner-up - Vicky Ralston

2nd runner-up -Samantha Bernardo

Newly crowned Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Eva Patalinjud poses
with Miss Grand International founder Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil 

Jehza Mae Huelar finally made it after 3 attempts.  She will now represent the country for 2018 Miss Supranational.  Karen Gallman, another repeater, made it this time and will represent the Philippines at Miss Inter-continental.

At last, Bb. Pilipinas gets new crowns, for a change.  The old crowns looks mediocre and cheap.  Parang ung mga crowns lang nabibili kung saan saan (it's like those crowns that you can buy anywhere on the streets).

It is also worth mentioning that Miss Grand International's chairman Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil attended the pageant last night.  If I am not mistaken, he also attended last year's pageant.  

Congratulations to all the winners!

Here's the full text of Catriona's winning answer.

H.E. Sung Kim (US. A.mbassador to the Philippines) :

“After the devastating war, Marawi is now on its way to recovery. What is your message to the young women of Marawi?”

Gray: “Thank you for that question. My answer and my message to the women is to be strong. As women, we’re the head of the household and we have amazing influence not only in our families, as mothers, sisters and friends, but also in our community. If we could get the women to stay strong and be that image of strength for the children and the people around them, then once the rebuilding is complete and is underway, the morale of the community will stay strong and high. Thank you.”

Here are other finalists Answers during the Q& round:
Thanks to Philstar.com 
(https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2018/03/19/1798288/full-text-binibining-pilipinas-2018-top-15-finalists-qa

The finalists were randomly called through draw lots. Here are their answers to the judges' questions.

Bb. #35: Sandra Lemonon

Judge Saavedra: “What are your insights on the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program?”

Lemonon: “The insights of the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. Actually, I studied so much for this Q&A, but suddenly that’s something that I really don’t know much about. But, at least I’m here trying to answer a good question. Thank you!”

Wurtzbach then commented after Lemonon’s response: “Oh, I love her honesty. That’s better than lying.”

“That’s true,” echoed her co-host, Richard Gutierrez.

Bb. # 11: Maria Andrea Abesamis

Brown: “Boracay has its hazardous environmental situation. What is your view on this issue?”

Abesamis: “My view on this issue is that it’s a big matter right now. We need to conserve our natural habitat and our isles as a Filipino and a Filipina. Because we live there. We live in the country. There are locals there and we’re supposed to take care of it. Thank you.”

Bb. #14: Samantha Mae Bernardo

Judge Anderson: “What do you think is the biggest misconception about beauty pageant contestants?

Bernardo: “I think the biggest concept, misconception in beauty pageants today is that we’re just beautiful. But we are not. We are confidently beautiful. We’re compassionate and we’re very competent. We are in a year wherein we have surpassed odds about women. And we continue to prove ourselves in a society. We can be at home, raising a family, or an office having a career. Or just like me here, joining pageants, celebrating our femininity. Thank you!”

Bb. # 24: Edjelyn Joy Gamboa 

Judge Valdez: “If inner beauty is emphasized in beauty pageants, then why are there physical requirements upon joining it?”

Gamboa: “Okay, honestly speaking, there’s no requirement, there’s no beauty requirement in a competition like this. Everyone is accepted as long as you have a good heart, as long as you are confident with your looks, and then you’ll be a part of Binibining Pilipinas. Thank you.”

Wurtzbach then commented: “It’s for everyone! I like that.”

Bb. # 3: Murielle Adrienne Orais

Judge Lopez: “This year marks the graduation of the first-ever batch of K-to-12 students. What is your message to them?”

Orais: “My message to the students is that you have to focus on your studies, because their parents are very working hard for their education. I believe that education will give them knowledge and experience and it will give them a better future. Thank you.”

Wurtzbach nodded with Orais: “I believe that, too!”

Bb. # 1: Vickie Marie Rushton

Judge Ravena: “Do you believe hazing and fraternities has its own good? Why and why not?”

Rushton: “I believe that any violence is no good, because one person alone can stand up for herself or himself. And as a Bb. Pilipinas, I can be that influence to spread the word that violence is not acceptable. Thank you.”

Bb. # 32: Eva Psychee Patalinjug

Judge Echiverri: “What is the role of beauty queens in the pursuit of our country’s economic success, if any?”

Patalinjug: “A role of the beauty queen is to be a voice. I am here to make a message to all of you. In these times of uncertainty…taking over our country, we have remained steadfast and have faith in all of its challenges. As a united nation, what we should do is to set aside our political differences, economic and social preferences. Let our love and loyalty to our country rise above all, in the hopes of making a peaceful country. Thank you.”

Gutierrez then commented: “Very well said!”

Bb. # 17: Maria Athisa Manalo

Judge Quigaman: “How should a beauty queen respond to ruthless criticism?”

Manalo: “A beauty queen should always respond to criticisms constructively. We beauty queens are public figures and we put ourselves in a position to be judged. But nonetheless, we should always, we should always filter which comments we should accept and what we should not. Thank you.”

Wurtzbach then said: “Good save! I love that!”

Richard added: “Nice recover!”

Bb. # 19: Michele Theresa Gumabao

Judge Drilon: “What can you do to fight fake news?”

Gumabao: “I know that fake news is very rampant nowadays, but in order to fight these, we must first, know what we are reporting, know what we are reading and at the same time, be accountable for what we say, especially online. And I hope that media always filters their news, their resources to always deliver truth and authentic news. Thank you.”

Wurtzbach then commented: “Well said.”

Bb. # 31: Jehza Mae Huelar

Judge Kim: “What do you think is the most important quality of a millennial woman?”

Huelar: “I think the most important quality a millennial woman have is to have a vision. With her vision, she should have this attitude and perseverance so that she can achieve her goals. And if she’s good at vision, she will be able to express herself freely. So I would hope that all the millennials out here would really adhere to our culture and our tradition so that we can inspire others, we can impact people. Thank you.”

Bb. # 26: Wynonah Van Joy Buot

Judge Anderson: “Name one great Filipino artist you truly admire and why?”

Buot: “One great Filipino artist I truly admire would probably be Toni Gonzaga. Although she’s a celebrity and we have a stereotype when it comes to celebrities, I truly admire her because she follows a certain path when it comes to her life. She actually has a successful career, a complete family, and she did these all together by following her parents. And that’s one important thing that we millennials must learn. You will never fail in life when you follow your parents. Thank you!”

Wurtzbach said: “I’m gonna remember that!”

Gutierrez then seconded: “Shout out to mom and dad!”

Wurtzbach added: “I love you, mommy!”

Bb. # 21: Anjame Magbitang

Judge Lopez: “When is the right time to listen and when is the right time to speak?”

Magbitang: “It’s time to listen if you respect the people who will talk and then you will try to speak after the people who talk to you speak because there must be…The best version...”

Bb. # 38: Karen Juanita Gallman

Judge Quigaman: “Do you agree that a third restroom should be built for transgenders? Why or why not?”

Gallman: “I definitely agree there should be a third restroom for transgender because us women would like a privacy and also with men, and we have a separate room for the transgender. It just serves as an equality and privatization. Thank you.”

Bb. #15: Juliana Kapeundl

Judge Drilon: “Misogyny or bias against women has been very prevalent lately. How should this be addressed?”

Kapeundl: “I think this should be addressed by empowering women. We women, we have to think that we are not just women. We don’t need labels. As mother, daughter, sister, we have our own individuality and we have to use it to our advantage and let our strengths shine. So, as women, we have to empower our co-women an equality with men in the future. Thank you.”