Photos by Shadne Genterone
The search for the next lucky Cebuanas who will succeed the 5 crowns and titles at stake in the Binibining Cebu 2019 competition, namely ecology, heritage, charity, tourism and the most-coveted Bb. Cebu major title, continued with two of its pre-pageant activities: the swimwear and long gown competition which took place at The Tent at Mandani Bay last November 13, 2019.
Fifty-four sexy, fabulous, confidently beautiful—and hopeful—Cebuanas each representing and promoting different cities and municipalities all over Cebu flaunted their locally-made and designed swimsuits and evening dresses in the swimwear and long gown competition.
The 4 components that make up the 100% pre-pageant score are the organizers’ scores with 15%, close-door interview with 25% and the swimwear and long gown with 30% each. The pre-pageant competition would determine the Top 20 Finalists of the hotly-followed and highly-anticipated “grandest, biggest and most prestigious beauty pageant in the country” during its Coronation Night on January 13, 2020 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino’s Grand Pacific Ballroom.
The innovative and diverse black-and-white themed evening gowns that the Cebuana binibinis wore in the long gown competition were designed by the creative team behind Fashion Institute of Design and Arts-Cebu (FIDA Cebu), the world-class, competent and renowned fashion designers, namely Philipp Tampus, Edwin Alba, Valerie Alvez, Edward James Castro, Angela Dado, Rhino Deiparine, Bebes Garso, Mel Maria, Lord Maturan, and Yorena Tabar among others.
Mikee Andrei provided the ladies with two-piece emerald-green bikinis for the swimwear competition from the designer’s very own PauLina Collection—a resort wear with simple yet elegant and sophisticated pieces perfect for year-long use. The Paulina Collection’s colorful mix and match outfits captured the fun and vibrancy of summer with its plain colors, printed ensembles and explosion of various patterns which made it suitable for the candidates’ diverse body types and figures.
Among the crowd favorites during the long gown and swimwear competition were Binibining Alcantara, Bantayan, Bogo City, Balamban, Carmen, Consolacion, Compostela, Cebu City North & South, Dalaguete, Daanbantayan, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Madridejos, Mandaue, Naga, Lapu-Lapu City, Poro, Ronda, San Remegio, San Fernando, Tabogon, Tuburan, Talisay to name a few.
The Best Designer Award was bagged by Philipp Tampus who dressed up Mandaue City’s Ena Velasco, Medellin’s Baby Blanche Comecilla and Minglanilla’s Mary Angelica Pantaliano. Reigning Bb. Cebu 2018 Steffi Aberasturi presented the award to Tampus. First-placer was Valerie Alvez who made the gowns of Dumanjug’s Reina Alexis Tavera, Ginatilan’s Princess Paraiso and Lapu-Lapu City’s Chloe Boone. Jeanom Ursua landed on the final spot as 2nd runner-up. Ursua designed the gowns of Borbon’s Ciairha Monsanto, Carcar City’s Marla Alforque and Carmen’s Danika Ocampo. These three homegrown FIDA designers bested 15 others.
Binibining Cebu 2019 Swimwear and Long Gown competition judges were Cebu Province 6th District Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco, Binibining Pilipinas 2019 1st runner-up Maria Andrea Abesamis, Designer and Owner of PauLina the official swimwear of Binibining Cebu 2020 Mikee Andrei, International fashion cover and winner of the Elite Model Look Brazil Claudia Bezza Yeung and Chairman of the Board Voltaire Tayag.
Panelists included Concept and Stage Creative Producer Kenneth Cubonpue, Overall Director Ahwel Paz, Production and Choreographer Val Sandiego, Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch ‘85 Foundation Inc President Anthony Ting and fashion icon Cary Santiago who dressed the Binibining Cebu 2018 titleholders with his very own 2013 redcross collection namely Kim Covert (Tourism), Lou Dominique Piczon (Heritage), Isabela Deutsch (Ecology), Tracy Maureen Perez (Charity) and Steffi Aberasturi (Reigning Bb. Cebu 2018).
The pre-pageant competition was graced with world-class performances from San Diego Dance Company and hosted by Binibining Cebu 2017 Charity winner, professional model and host Maria Gigante together with former host of ABS-CBN Cebu’s MagTV and entreprenuer Jonathan Cimafranca. Live coverage of the competition was courtesy of Sky Media Solutions Regional and powered by SKYBiz.
For more information and updates, visit Binibining Cebu’s website and follow the candidates’ journey to the crowns on Binibining Cebu’s social media accounts.
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