After rigorous preparations of refining their most powerful walk to perfecting their introductions, these beauties made it again to the list of those vying for the Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Universe Philippines 2020 crown.
Related: Crown It: Silent No More, Gazini Ganados Is Speaking Up As She Takes On The Quest For Miss Universe
Remember how Pia Wurtzbach joined Binibining Pilipinas thrice before landing the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title? As we have made familiar, the journey to entering a beauty pageant is no joke. Coming across the most beautiful and most intelligent ladies that exudes different facets of fierceness, power, and wit makes the competition really tight. But if you’re taking inspiration from Miss Universe 2015 Pia herself, failure to bring home the title at the first try does not mean giving up entirely. Even Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray had to go through failures and setbacks before eventually winning the most coveted crown in the pageant landscape. Years prior to making a splash in Thailand and the rest of the known universe, she was infamously known as an early favorite who was a few rungs shy of nabbing a Miss World crown in 2016.
If there’s anything we learned from these queens who will forever be confidently beautiful with a heart, it’s that setbacks should serve as a motivation to get up and keep on trying. While it is no walk in the park for sure, what with a mounting pressure for repeat performers, victory will taste even sweeter after, rearing a candidate most experienced with a trove of stories to dig in to for whatever global pageant they eventually figure themselves into.
As 2020 begins, there now exists new players and rules for the Philippine pageant scene, where a separate competition will take place for Miss Universe Philippines. And while each of these candidates have their own end goals as they join Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Universe Philippines 2020, we’ve spotted familiar faces who are raring and ready to take on the crown one more time.
Vickie Rushton
Model, entrepreneur, and former PBB housemate Vickie Rushton joins Binibining Pilipinas for the third time. Looking back at her previous Bb. Pilipinas performances, Vickie undeniably has the most potential, proving to be a front runner time and time again. With her years of experience in the pageantry scene, she is the closest to be finally taking home the Binibining Pilipinas International title, which she is aiming for now. Could third time be a charm? Your guess is as good as ours.
Maureen Montagne
Maureen Montagne is also no stranger to the Bb. Pilipinas stage. Apart from her experiences in international pageants, Maureen won first runner-ups in both Miss World Philippines 2018 and Miss Eco International 2019. With the personality and prowess of a beauty queen, she sure can win the title.
Samantha Bernardo
For two consecutive years, Samantha Bernardo won Binibining Pilipinas 2nd runner-up. With her expectations to have placed better, yet still keeping the respect for the panel, Samantha has decided to join Binibining Pilipinas again this year, hoping to finally nab that most elusive crown.
Since Miss Universe Philippines organization withdrew the franchise under Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., the highly-coveted title and crown of Miss Universe Philippines gets more challenging for the candidates this year. Under the helm of National Director and Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runner up, Shamcey Supsup, and together with esteemed pageant experts such as Jonas Gaffud, Lia Andrea Ramos, and Albert Andrada, this new local pageant is shaping up to be quite the rigorous and most exciting one to witness yet. Who gets to represent the country at the most prestigious beauty pageant in the whole universe? See the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidates who previously joined and are touted to be early favorites in the race.
Riana Pangidian
Back in 2016, Riana Pangadian joined Bb. Pilipinas at 19 years old and made it to the top 15 with Maxine Medina, Kylie Versoza, and more. It took her 4 years to return to the pageantry for she decided to focus on her expertise in her chosen profession—education. Will the years she chose to shape herself into a more discerning and confident woman serve her well? Well, we sure cannot wait to see her take her moment in the spotlight.
Michele Gumabao
Juggling volleyball and pageantry, Michele Gumabao continues to take it to the next level, eyeing another victory to hopefully be the first titleholder of Miss Universe Philippines. Crowned Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2018, the stunning celebrity athlete continues to live her passions, playing for Creamline thereafter.
Sandra Lemonon
After her answer in the Q&A portion went viral where she was asked about the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program, Sandra Lemonon is joining this year’s Miss Universe Philippines more confidently and headstrong. Let’s forget about the memes that generated from that moment for she will prove how she’s even more prepared to take on the crown this time.
Apriel Smith
Upon joining Binibining Pilipinas back in 2016, which served as her first foray into the national pageant scene, Apriel Smith was eventually crowned Binibining Cebu 2017. When she was asked in her previous interviews when she will be joining Binibining Pilipinas again, the beauty queen says she’s choosing the right year. With all systems go, it seems that this is the right year for her, setting her sights on the Miss Universe Philippines crown.
Maria Isabela Galeria
Last year was also a notable year for Maria Isabela Galeria for she got included in the Top 40 finalists of Bb. Pilipinas 2019. Eventually landing in the top 15, she is best remembered for unknowingly letting host Anne Curtis hold the microphone for her as she concentrated hard on the Q&A segment of the pageant. This year, the stunner from Sorsogon is making sure we remember her more than just that girl.
Alaiza Malinao
Alaiza Malinao was one of the candidates who vied for the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 crown, which saw Pia Wurtzbach finally winning the crown. Taking her professional modelling to a bigger platform, Alaiza is also known for her appearance as one of the contestants in the fourth cycle of Asia’s Next Top Model. Now, she’s ready to give her best and win the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 crown with a more determined attitude and a most noteworthy, inspiring advocacy to her name.
