Fifty four confidently beautiful Cebuanas from cities and towns all over Cebu have officially stepped into the pageant stage to start their journey for this year’s Binibining Cebu dubbed as “The Grandest And The Biggest Beauty Pageant in the Country”—all eyeing for at least one of the five most coveted crowns of the said pageant namely Binibining Cebu 2019, Binibining Cebu Tourism 2019, Binibining Cebu Charity 2019, Binibining Cebu Heritage 2019, and Binibining Cebu Ecology 2019.
Photos by Louie Miguel Veloso
During the press conference and presentation of candidates that took place yesterday, September 18 at the Mountain Wing Atrium, SM Seaside City Cebu, the panelists and the candidates themselves were interviewed by press representatives with interesting and challenging questions that are timely and relevant to the social community, the pageant and its causes.
The panellists, which included Binibining Cebu 2018 Steffi Rose Aberasturi; Ahwel Paz, the overall director; Val Sandiego, production manager and choreographer; Kenneth Cobonpue, creative producer; and Anthony Ting, president of Binibining Cebu Charity Foundation and Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation, Inc., emphasized that they are looking for five more socially relevant, more empowered and “global queens” to crown for this year’s pageant.
“It does not matter if you are pretty or perfect. What is important is you speak out whatever language you are comfortable using may it be Bisaya or Tagalog or anything as long as we can translate it, ” current Binibining Cebu titleholder Steffi Rose Aberasturi told reporters.
She also advised the candidates to stay positive and enjoy every moment of the competition.
“You will gain new sisters here and family. Practice, determination and prayers will take you somewhere,” she added.
Creative producer Kenneth Cobonpue said that they did not have a hard time completing this year’s 54 candidates and that in fact, they have finished early in filling up the slots in just two weeks’ time.
Ahwel Paz, an ABS-CBN producer and director, assured that this year’s show will be bolder, more creative and more relevant
“We will beat Miss Universe prod!” the overall director confidently claimed.
Meanwhile for Val Sandiego, founder of the Kabkaban Festival in Carcar City, the man behind Sandiego Dance Company who has also been the stage director of Miss Consolacion in the last five years and is teaming up with Paz for this year’s production, being part of it is a challenge for him but he will see to it that it will be worthwhile.
This year’s pre-pageant activities include Swimwear and Long Gown Competitions, which is to be held at the Mandani Bay in Mandaue City on October 16, followed by a pre-pageant interview that will take place at the Oakridge Business Park in Mandaue City on November 10. And finally, the coronation night will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on November 15.
Binibining Cebu is organized by the Binibining Cebu Charity Foundation and Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation, Inc. It started in 2017 and crowned Apriel Smith of Badian as the first winner of the crown while Samantha Lo won Binibining Cebu Tourism 2017 and is now the country’s bet for Miss Grand International 2018. Maria Gigante was crowned Binibining Cebu Charity 2017.
Aside from Aberasturi, last year’s winners included Binibining Cebu Tourism 2018 Kim Covert, Binibining Cebu Heritage 2018 Lou Dominique Piczon, Binibining Cebu Ecology 2018 Isabela Deutsch and Binibining Cebu Charity 2018 Tracy Maureen Perez who later competed in Miss World Philippines 2019 last September 15 and landed as one of Top 12 finalists.
Other than the five titles, prizes waiting for the lucky Binibinis are P500,000 cash and P300,00 in kind (Binibining Cebu 2019); P300,000 plus P100,000 in kind (Binibining Cebu Tourism 2019); P200,000 plus P50,000 in kind (Binibining Cebu Charity 2019); P100,000 (Binibining Cebu Heritage 2019); and P75,000 (Binibining Cebu Ecology 2019).
The press conference and presentation of candidate also showcased performances from the recent first-ever Visayan Music Awards winner/finalists.
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