The Road of Ariella Arida to the Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Crown

Last night, the 50th Binibining Pilipinas was crowned at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Fifty beautiful candidates competed for this prestigious title after various training sessions, outreach activities, TV guestings and the like. I am proud to be part of this historical event, as Ariella Arida, was chosen to be this year's representative to the Miss Universe Pageant.

Easy as it may seem, but the road to being a Binibining Pilipinas is not always a walk in the park. They have to undergo two months of non-stop activities together with the 2012 Binibining Pilipinas Winners. Just like last February 28, the Binibinis took part in a medical mission led by Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. Chairperson Stella Marquez Araneta and Smile Ambassador / Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner Up, Janine Tugonon. 

Last March 9, sixteen of them impressed the spectators during the Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Talent Show held at the Gateway Mall Activity Area. And as part of their philanthropy, the Binibinis assisted in building homes for the typhoon victims in Tanay, Rizal on March 13 at the Gawad Kalinga Build Day, held at the Julio Iglesias-Araneta Cnter GK Village. Imagine trading their heels for a day of shoveling and helping out at the build site.

The National Costume Competition, where Binibini 37 Maria Teresita Baccay won for her best Filipiniana Attire, was held last March 18 at the Makati Shangri-La after their Press Presentation. And before the Pageant Night, the golden batch of candidates participated at the Annual Parade of Beauties last April 6 and a Fashion Show last April 11, that features the Summer Collection of Jag Jeans, Avon Accessories and the creations of Pitoy Moreno. 

The coronation night was hosted by Mr. Martin Nievera and Ms. Dawn Zulueta, together with Venus Raj and Shamcey Supsup. The past 70  queens who captivated the International Pageant stage were also there to grace the event

For the special awards, here are the winners in each category : 

Best in Evening Gown: #39 Mutya Johanna Datul

Best in Swimsuit: #41 Ariella Arida

Miss Friendship: #21 Lourenz Grace Remetillo

Miss Photogenic: #39 Mutya Johanna Datul

Miss Talent: #10 Anna Carmela Aquino

Best in National Costume: #37 Alaine Baccay

Manila Bulletin Readers Choice: #22 Ellore Noelle Punzalan

Miss Petron: #16 Cindy Miranda

Binibining Pilipinas PAGCOR: #45 Imelda Schweighart

Binibining Philiippine Airlines: #4 Nicole Kim Donesa

Binibining Avon: #20 Bea Rose Santiago

Binibining San Miguel Zero Fit and Sexy Body: #15 Pia Wurtzbach

Creamsilk Beyond Beautiful: #16 Cindy Miranda

The Top 15 Binibinis are:

#12 Camille Carla Nazar

#13 Charmaine Elima

#22 Ellore Noelle Punzalan

#25 Mary Joyce Respicio

#31 Maria Angelica de Leon

#33 Parul Shah

#34 Grace Yann Apuad

#43 Rhea Nakpil

#45 Imelda Schweighart

#46 Amanda Noella Navasero

And finally, the winners of the Binibining Pilipinas 2013 are: Pia Wurtzbach - 1st Runner-up; Mutya Johanna Datul - Binibining Pilipinas Supranational; Bea Rose Santiago - Binibining Pilipinas International; Cindy Miranda - Binibining Pilipinas- Tourism, and Ariella Arida - Binibining Pilipinas Universe.