22/07/2024
Former beauty queens grace the Binibining Pilipinas 2024 diamond jubilee red carpet
Glitz and glamour overtook the Araneta Coliseum as iconic beauty queens adorned the Binibining Pilipinas 2024 red carpet.
Queens from various decades arrived at the venue in opulent long gowns during the pageant’s red carpet pre-show, celebrating Binibining Pilipinas’ 60th anniversary and the launch of its coffee table book titled Beauty Ever After.
To commemorate the pageant’s diamond jubilee, the ladies took a trip down memory lane by sharing cherished memories from their time in the pageant scene.
In an interview, Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, the first Filipina to win the prestigious Miss Universe pageant, noted the difference in the Binibini pageant’s competition scene.
Before, it was more casual, it was more camaraderie. It really wasn't that much of a competition. It’s only after that you realize that you're in a competition. But now I think from the very beginning, it's a very stiff competition,” she said.
Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach took the time t
o revisit her iconic win, calling it a “life-changing memory.”
I was in shock. I mean, every time I replay the videos of my reaction, of course in my head, you are always hoping for the best, you're always hoping na ‘sana ako, please call number 10,’ and when they did, I felt like… This is it, the work starts now. I have to get to work right after tonight kasi may isa pang laban after that,” she said, emphasizing her gratitude towards the pageant.
“Binibining Pilipinas– you will learn so much, and they will take such good care of you,” she added.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee arrived with her mother, Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez.
Michelle shared feeling excited to celebrate the momentous occasion with her mom, adding that it is now her turn to support the pageant’s hopefuls.
“I was just saying outside that it's so nice for the tables to be turned. I’m here to support because my mom has been supporting me all my life,” she said.
The queens also reminded the current Binibinis to always “enjoy the moment.”
“I mean, everybody wants to be a winner, but more than anything, it's the memories you get during the competition. Enjoy the moment, give it all you’ve got, and no regrets,” Gloria said, joking that candidates who do not win the pageant can “always join again tomorrow.”
Melanie Marquez gave a short yet powerful reminder to the hopefuls, telling them to enjoy and remember their roots as a Filipinas.
“Just be yourself and enjoy. And always think that you are a Filipina, represent our country well,” she said.
Other queens who graced the red carpet include Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters, Miss Supranational 2013 Mutya Datul, and Miss International 2023 Andrea Rubio of Venezuela.
This year’s Binibining Pilipinas pageant sees 40 Binibinis from across the country competing for a chance to represent the Philippines in two coveted competitions: Miss International and Miss Globe. Coronation night was held on Sunday, July 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
