20 GAZINI GANADOS TOPS 56TH GAZINI GANADOS TOPS 56TH BINIBINING PILIPINAS BINIBINING PILIPINAS

GAZINI GANADOS TOPS 56TH BINIBINING PILIPINAS

By Eton B. Concepcion Photos from Gazini Ganados’ Twitter account B INIBINING Pilipinas 2019 has chosen the country’s representative in the 68th Miss Universe pageant set late this year. Gazini Christiana Jordi Ganados, a 23-year-old, 5-foot9, half-Filipino, half-Palestinian model was crowned by outgoing Miss Universe-Philippines 2018 and the reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray.

A stunning beauty from Talisay, Cebu, Ganados outperformed 39 other contenders to bag the most coveted title, owning the stage in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions winning the special award in the latter and the Face of Binibini 2019 (Miss Photogenic). Ganados, a Tourism graduate of the University of San Jose-Recoletos-Cebu, who is a cross between Gray’s runners up, Miss Venezuela 2018 Sthefany Gutierrez and Miss South Africa 2018 Tamaryn Green, is widely predicted, both here and abroad, to be a force to be reckoned with in the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.

Ganados, who was born in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte and has been modeling since 15 years old, competed once before in Miss World-Philippines 2014 finishing in the Top 13. She was raised by her grandparents and has never met her biological, Palestinian father. An advocate for elderly care, her desire to find her father will be an added, advantage story to tell in Miss Universe, though, her search would be as hard as finding peace solution in Israel and Palestine. Ganados has started physical preparation, focusing in her abs and butt, noting that her modeling experience would be an advantage.

A heavy favorite for the Miss Universe-Philippines title, Bea Patricia Magtanong, a 24-year-old, Juris Doctor degree graduate of the UP College of Law, took the Bb. Pilipinas-International 2019 instead. A native of Bataan, Magtanong, who followed the footsteps of her father, also graduated cum laude in Business Economics at UP. A first timer in beauty pageants, the bedimpled, exotic beauty bagged the best in swimsuit and Bb. Megaworld special awards.

Magtanong, who idolizes actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie, advocates free legal assistance to convicted criminals in prison and works with NGOs for rehabilitation of prisoners after their release. She would have been matched with Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst who is also a practicing lawyer offering assistance to prison inmates. Magtanong succeeded Miss International 2018 first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo and will be a strong contender to snag the Philippines’ seventh Miss International crown.

Filipina-Pakistani Resham Saeed, a 25-year-old, model from Buluan, Maguindanao took the title of Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational 2019. Saeed, who grew up in Toronto, Canada and in five other countries, speaks five languages, including English, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi and Filipino.

A former Miss Philippines Canada 2017, Saeed has an undergraduate degree in Psychology. She presently works with SPARK, an organization that empowers women and promotes gender equality, which is her chosen advocacy. She succeeded last year’s titlist Jehza Huelar.

Samantha Ashley Lo of Cebu City was named Bb. PilipinasGrand International 2019 succeeding fellow Cebuana Eva Psychee Patalinjug. The 26-yearold, model and former Miss Cebu Tourism 2017, is a Nursing graduate at University of Cebu and works as an instructor of English as a second language. Lo, born of a Chinese father and Cuban mother, grew up in Florida, USA. She competed in Best Model of the World 2018 in Istanbul.

Emma Mary Tiglao was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2019 by reigning Miss Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman. Tiglao, a 24-year-old, Tourism graduate from Pampanga and an animal-lover, was named Best in National Costume. Tiglao joined Bb. Pilipinas in 2014 and made the Top 15. The following year, she competed in Miss World Philippines 2015 and was named Fourth Princess.

The sixth title, Bb. Pilipinas-Globe

2019 went to 26-year-old, Laguna native Leren Mae Bautista, former 2015 Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International. A Marketing graduate of Colegio de San Juan de LetranCalamba, Bautista was crowned by volleyball poster girl Michelle Gumabao. Maria Andrea Abesamis, the 27-year-old, daughter of 1984 Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Desiree Verdadero, was named first runner up, while last year’s 2nd runner up, Samantha Bernardo, finished as 2nd runner up for the second consecutive year.

The Bb. Pilipinas 2019, the 56th edition, was made doubly exciting with the presence of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who wore a Waling-Waling-inspired fuchsia gown by favorite designer Mak Tumang. She gave an impassioned speech during the traditional farewell walks of last year’s winners, thanking her Binibini family, most especially, BPCI chairperson Stella Marquez-Araneta, even as she declared that she will be ‘forever a Binibini.  BG

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