With four crowns and titles at stake, everyone put their best foot forward for last night’s Binibining Pilipinas 2021 grand coronation. Meet your newest set of beauty queens.
It’s no secret that Filipinos are pageant fanatics. From cheering on their bet the moment she goes on stage to continuously following the country’s representative to international pageants, Filipinos have been known to religiously watch and support pageants and their queens—and last night was no different.
Last night, July 11, the four reigning beauty queens passed on their crowns to their successors during the Binibining Pilipinas 2021 grand coronation night. Held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, four crowns and titles were at stake: Binibining Pilipinas International, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental, and Binibining Pilipinas Globe. While every single lady on stage deserved a crown, only four were hailed winners during last night’s coronation hosted by Catriona Gray and Nicole Cordoves.
Meet your newest set of Binibining Pilipinas queens:
Binibining Pilipinas International 2021, Hannah Arnold
Hannah Arnold is half Filipino and half Australian, and this was not her first try to join Binibining Pilipinas. On an Instagram post she shared in 2019, she was the first to submit an application for the pageant in 2019. She once again put in her application during the pandemic, and worked for the crown she desires. Hannah Arnold advocates for education, especially in STEM. The 24 year old from Masbate was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International on her second try. Beauty and brains, Hannah Arnold is truly queen-like.
Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2021, Samantha Panlilio
Born in Cavite, Samantha Panlilio has achieved a lot at only 25 years old. She led a team for Habitat for Humanity International between 2009 and 2013, and also got her undergraduate degree from University of California Irvine in the US. With a passion for cooking, she worked during the pandemic to help distribute healthy meals to people in need. As she shares on her introduction video, she worked with Covid-19 Food Drive Ph to provide meals to different barangays and municipalities in Manila. A hard worker with a heart to serve, it’s no surprise that Samantha Panlilio is Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2021.
Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2021, Cinderella Obeñita
Cinderella Obeñita is a beauty queen from Cagayan de Oro. Currently working as the head of planning and events division of the Provincial Tourism Office in Misamis Oriental, she makes time for her advocacies. As a beauty queen who advocates for cervical cancer prevention, Cinderella Obeñita is the founder of CROWN CDO: A Cervical Cancer Awareness Circle. Leading with a kind heart, Cinderella is your Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2021.
Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2021, Maureen Montagne
Reigning from Batangas, beauty queen Maureen Montagne already has numerous titles under her belt. Starting her pageant career in 2011, the 28 year old has since won beauty queen titles here and in the US. From being crowned Miss Arizona USA in 2015 to Miss Eco Philippines in 2018 and now Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2021, Maureen Montagne is a beauty queen through and through.
1st Runner-Up, Gabrielle Basiano
Gabrielle Basiano is also not new to pageants. Born in Borongan, Eastern Samar, the 26 year old has since been collecting beauty queen titles. In 2017, she represented Region 8 in Miss Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) and won third runner-up. She also finished in the Top 18 for Miss Earth Philippines in 2018, and first runner-up at Miss Friendship International 2019 where she represented Philippines in Chengdu, China.
2nd Runner-Up, Meiji Cruz
Meiji Cruz is born and raised in Valenzuela City. Like most, this 27 year old beauty queen is not new to pageantry. She competed in Binibining Pilipinas in 2012 when she was only 18 years old. A graduate from St. Scholastica’s College Manila with a degree in AB Mass Communication minor in Journalism, BS Psychology, and AB Guidance and Counseling, this beauty queen lists political and social issues as her interests, and advocates for gender equality.
