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Posted on December 8, 2019

Binibining Pilipinas legacy: The Filipina beauty queen is back on the international stage

Binibining Pilipinas legacy: The Filipina beauty queen is back on the international stage

Posted on June 6, 2019

Author: VOLTAIRE TAYAG

Source: Rappler

If the year 2000s were the "dark ages" in Binibining Pilipinas history, then the 2010s is the "renaissance" or the golden decade of Bb. Pilipinas.

It all started with Venus Raj, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010, whose reign started with a dethronement and the subsequently reinstatement of her title. Thank goodness for that because it was Venus who reignited the Philippines’ love for pageantry, particularly Miss Universe. The entire nation cheered for Venus the moment she was called into the semifinals and that alone was a victory. She would go on to become 4th runner-up but she was celebrated and paraded as if she had won.

Little did we know that it the beginning of “major, major” wins for the Philippines.

After Venus, we had three consecutive runner-up finishes from 2011-2013. We came so close and could almost feel the victory in 2012 as Janine Tugonon held hands with Olivia Culpo (USA), waiting for the announcement. We had to settle for 1st runner-up.

After 42 years of waiting, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was able to bring back the much coveted Miss Universe crown in the most spectacular fashion. The controversial coronation catapulted Pia into the pop culture scene in the US and around the world. Safe to say, her crowning was probably the most watched Miss Universe crowning in history.

After Pia won, the Filipinos were already quite content with merely continuing the streak. The back to back in 2016 was almost out of the question because the Philippines hosted Miss Universe 2016.

Three short years later, suddenly the nation was extremey hopeful once more that there was an impending victory in Miss Universe in the person of Catriona Gray. Catriona was already endeared to many Filipinos, since she represented the country in Miss World 2016. Her devastating loss prompted many to seek redemption through Miss Universe.

So, when Catriona submitted her Bb. Pilipinas application form in 2018, there was no stopping her. She annihilated the competition all the way in Miss Universe – her “lava walk” is aptly named.

Winners and placements:

Miss Universe 2010 — Venus Raj, 4th runner-up

Miss Universe 2011 — Shamcey Supsup, 3rd runner-up

Miss Universe 2012 — Janine Marie Tugonon, 1st runner-up

Miss Universe 2013 — Ariella Arida, 3rd runner-up

Miss Universe 2014 — Mary Jean Lastimosa, Top 10

Miss Universe 2015 — Pia Wurtzbach, winner

Miss Universe 2016 — Maxine Medina, Top 6

Miss Universe 2017 — Rachel Peters, Top 10

Miss Universe 2018 — Catriona Gray, winner

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