AFTER more than a month of press meets, public appearances, TV guestings, sponsor visits, training sessions and rehearsals, the 30 official contestants for Bb. Pilipinas 2007 finally square off tonight (March 3) for the 3 coveted crowns at stake in a grand coronation show at the Big Dome.

Aspiring to live up to the ideals of being the embodiment of the true Filipina beauty – a combination of poise, grace, intelligence and commitment to humanitarian causes – the bright and beautiful contestants will showcase their dandiest best to be able to earn the honor of representing the Philippines at this year's Miss Universe Pageant (to be held in Mexico), Miss World Pageant (to be held in Poland), and Miss International (to be held in Japan and China).

The coronation pageant, to be aired by GMA 7, will feature a lavish opening number that will pay tribute to Asian royalties and a production number ala "Dreamgirls" by the reigning titleholders Lia Andrea Ramos, Ana Maris Igpit and Denille Lou Valmonte.

A distinguished panel of celebrities to be chaired by 2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman, will sit as judges.

The 30 bright and beautiful Binibinis were formally presented to the media in captivating bikinis last Feb. 22 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila and were again seen by the public in the traditional Parade of Beauties at the Araneta Center last Feb. 25.

The contestants are: Ricamarie Ann Beltran Taylor, Ailyn Santos Luna, Abigail Lesley Grivas Cruz, Nicole Maturan Schmitz, Melissa Isidro Cruz, Suzanne Tabitha Bonifacio Mendoza, Heidi Enriquez Forbes, Kimberly Adriano Buhay, Anna Theresa Luy Licaros, Theofeliz Marie Perez Francisco, Margaret Nales Wilson, Melanie Acar Adjarani, Ma. Luisa Villanueva Beltran, Nadia Lee Cien dela Cruz Shami, Edferlyn Javier Quintero, Erika Ibasco Pangan, Paulette Gequillan Quinto, Jamie Fermin Burgos, Clayd Calo Torreon, Grezilda Ennis Simondo Adelantar, Keann Alonzo Mallari, Shiela Margarethe Aguilar Alonso, Ferniz Digal Utatulum, Liezl Madarang Verses, Ma. Eloisa Monteza Limpo, Angeline Fernandez Tucio, Contessa Maria Labios Santos, Mhyrtle Frances Bonjoc Bugarin, Almira Rivera Ramos and Grace Patricia Tizon Francisco.

This writer has chosen 12 girls who are likely to take a spot in the semi-finals. They are:

· Abigail Lesley Cruz – 22, 5'8", 33-23-33, an events host and model who was a semi-finalist at the 2005 Tourism Queen of the Year pageant;
· Nicole Schmitz – 18, 5'8", 33-23-33, a student of the University of San Carlos (Cebu) who is also the reigning Miss Mandaue and 1st runner-up at the 2006 Miss Teen Philippines pageant;
· Kimberly Buhay – 20, 5'7", 34-24-35, a Miss Ideal Thomasian Nursing last year;
· Anna Theresa Licaros – 22, 5'9", 33-25-34, a summa cum laude graduate & law student of UP;
· Theofeliz Marie Francisco – 24, 5'9", 32-25-35, an exec assistant who loves reading Latin books;
· Margaret Wilson, 17, 5'9", 34-24-35, a model and actress;
· Nadia Lee Cien Shami – 19, 5'9" 1/2, 35-25-36, a student from Central Colleges of the Philippines who was the 2005 Miss Philippines Air;
· Erika Pangan – 19, 5'10", 33-23-34, a model, Nursing student of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina;
· Grezilda Ennis Adelantar – 19, 5'9", 35-24-35, a UP student who loves to engage in extreme sports;
· Shiela Margarethe Alonso – 22, 5'8", 34-25-34, a student of UST who figure skates and was the 2004 Miss Philippines Fire.
· Liezl Verses – 22, 5'8", 34-23-34, a registered nurse from Baguio City who won as Miss Baguio 2005;
· Mhyrtle Frances Bugarin – 21, 5'7", 34-23-34, a model who recently won as Miss Mandaluyong 2007.

THREE of the 30 contestants for Bb. Pilipinas 2007 will be crowned as winners at the 44th national beauty pageant’s grand coronation night at the Big Dome on March 3, 2007.

The 30 bright and beautiful Binibinis were formally presented to the media in captivating bikinis last Feb. 22 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila and were again seen by the public in the traditional Parade of Beauties at the Araneta Center last Feb. 25.

The contestants are: Ricamarie Ann Beltran Taylor, Ailyn Santos Luna, Abigail Lesley Grivas Cruz, Nicole Maturan Schmitz, Melissa Isidro Cruz, Suzanne Tabitha Bonifacio Mendoza, Heidi Enriquez Forbes, Kimberly Adriano Buhay, Anna Theresa Luy Licaros, Theofeliz Marie Perez Francisco, Margaret Nales Wilson, Melanie Acar Adjarani, Ma. Luisa Villanueva Beltran, Nadia Lee Cien dela Cruz Shami, Edferlyn Javier Quintero, Erika Ibasco Pangan, Paulette Gequillan Quinto, Jamie Fermin Burgos, Clayd Calo Torreon, Grezilda Ennis Simondo Adelantar, Keann Alonzo Mallari, Shiela Margarethe Aguilar Alonso, Ferniz Digal Utatulum, Liezl Madarang Verses, Ma. Eloisa Monteza Limpo, Angeline Fernandez Tucio, Contessa Maria Labios Santos, Mhyrtle Frances Bonjoc Bugarin, Almira Rivera Ramos and Grace Patricia Tizon Francisco.

The top 3 winners will officially represent the Philippines at this year’s Miss Universe (to be held in Mexico in May), Miss World (in Poland in September) and Miss International (in China in October) pageants.

Who will follow the footsteps of Bb. Pilipinas' world beauty queens Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, Aurora Pijuan, Melanie Marquez and Precious Lara Quigaman? Find out at the Big Dome on March 3; the finals will be aired by GMA 7.

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  Brightest of Beauties Compete in the Country's Most Prestigious Pageant  
   By: Belle Baldoza PR Officer of The Araneta Group

The year 2007 kicks off with the most refreshing faces from all over the Philippines vying for the most coveted title of being crowned Binibining Pilipinas. 30 promising beauties have been selected as official candidates in the country’s longest-running and most prestigious pageant. 

The annual Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant is a project of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated (BPCI), a non-stock, non-profit organization. The pageant was envisioned as a prestigious fund-raising activity for projects that would benefit orphans, indigent families and other less fortunate members of Philippine society.

30 candidates aspire to live up to the ideals of being the embodiment of the true Filipina beauty—a dazzling combination of poise, grace, and intelligence with a commitment to various humanitarian and ideal causes. They are formally presented to the members of the press on February 22 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, while the coronation night is set on Saturday, March 3 at the Araneta Coliseum, which has been the home of the pageant in its four decades of glorious existence. 

The winners who will be crowned Binibining Pilipinas International, Binibining Pilipinas Universe, and Binibining Pilipinas World, respectively, will serve as the official Philippine representative to the three different international pageants recognizing excellence beyond beauty worldwide. They will also be joining the elite roster of past beauty queens that the pageant has produced such as Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1969; Margie Moran, Miss Universe 1973; Aurora Pijuan, Miss International 1970; Melanie Marquez, Miss International 1979; Ruffa Gutierrez, Miss World 2nd Princess 1993; Miriam Quiambao, Miss Universe 1st Runner-up 1999; and Precious Lara Quigaman, Miss International 2005. 

With a new batch of the most beautiful young ladies in the country as official candidates, Binibining Pilipinas continues to carry on not only its heritage of producing international winners, but also serving as the gateway to many meaningful opportunities to prove that real beauty is truly beyond skin deep. For more information about the pageant and the lasting legacy of beauty of Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., log on to www.bbpilipinas.com. 

The 2007 Binibining Pilipinas Pageant is presented by Watsons in cooperation with Araneta Center, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, Cumbia, Natasha, Smart Communications, Bacchus, Petron, Ever Bilena, Philippine Airlines, PCSO, New Placenta, David’s Salon, Gold’s Gym, Picture City, Dale Carnegie Training, Berlitz Language Training Center, Cagsawa Tours, SGV and Co. (official tabulator), with official media partners GMA 7, Manila Bulletin, The Journal Group of Companies, and Sofitel Philippine Plaza, the pageant’s official residence.

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  The Bb. Pilipinas Charity Day  
   By: Belle Baldoza PR Officer of The Araneta Group

The country's freshest faces prove that real beauty is truly beyond skin deep as they share their blessing with hundred kids from the Sisters of Charity and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

31 official candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2007 along with reigning queens Denille Lou Valmonte ( Bb. Pilipinas International'06) Ana Maris Igpit (Bb. Pilipinas World 06), and Lia Andrea Ramos (Bb. Pilpinas Universe 06) hosted a fun-filled charity day for the children at Timezone Gateway , where they enjoyed amusement games, tons of surprises, and treats courtesy of Pizza Hut and Snaxx.

The charity day is among one of the projects of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc (BPCI), a non stock non profit organizaztion. Apart from producing the country's best beauties as representative in various international competitons, BPCI has been a key partner in nation-building for over four decades, providing skills training, educational workshops, and mission work, and other relevant services for the marginalized sectors of the community.

With the most prestigious pageant as it's main source of funds, BPCI tries to bring the message of hope and love across the nation. Young Filipina pageant participants are given the opportunity to be carriers of this message as the humanitarian mission make up BPCI's primary goals. The young ladies involved with Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc., show that real beauty lies in helping the less fortunate members of society. BPCI is the official franchise holder of Ms. International, Ms. Universe and Ms. World Beauty Pageants.

To date, the organization has produced several International winners, including Gloria Diaz Ms. Universe 69; Margie Ms. Universe 73; Aurora Pijuan, Ms. International 70; Melanie Marquez, Ms. International 79, Ruffa Gutierrez, Ms. World 2nd Princess 93; Mirriam Quimabao, Ms. Universe 1st runner up 99; and Precious Lara Quigaman, Ms. International 05.

The annual charity event extends beyond providing joy and hope for the less priviliged. Moreover, Binibining Pilipinas Charities' existence as an organization lies more than just the quest for the True Filipina Beauty - it is the gateway to many meaningful opportunities to be able to make a difference in the world, wit it's constant commitment to various humanitarian causes.

THE 2007 Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant is officially on after 32 official candidates were selected from over 100 applicants that trooped to the Expo Center at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City last Saturday, January 30.

The 32 lucky ladies, a pretty mix of old and new faces and figures in the local pageant circuit, will vie for the coveted Bb. Pilipinas crowns and outright tickets to the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International tilts.

The official Bb. Pilipinas candidates are: Margaret Nales Wilson, Erika Ibasco Pangan, Liezl Madarang Verses, Nicole Maturan Schmitz, Ricamarie Ann Beltran Taylor, Rocio Cristina Hernandez Olbes, Abigail Lesley Grivas Cruz, Sheila Margarethe Aguilar Alonso, Nadia Lee Cien Romero dela Cruz, Ana Theresa Licaros, Luisa Beltran, Heidi Forbes, Theofeliz Marie Francisco, Eloisa Limpo, Patricia Francisco, Ferniz Uttutalum, Jamie Burgos, Ailyn Luna, Angeline Fernandez Tucio, Edferlyn Quintero, Melissa Cruz, Kimberly Buhay, Melanie Adjarani, Paulette Quinto, Andrea Fernando Dimalanta, Keanna Mallari, Suzanne Mendoza, Myrtle Franchaz Bugarin, Clayd Torrion, Gredizilla Adelantar and Contessa Maria Santos.

Among the favorites who stood out during the final screening and succeeding functions and TV guestings are: GMA artists Margaret Wilson and Ailyn Luna; “Deal or No Deal” 26-K briefcase girl Melissa “Missy” Cruz; Bb. Pilipinas “veterans” Ricamarie Taylor, Sheila Alonso and Patricia Francisco; Mutya beauties Abigail Cruz, Angeline Tucio and Jamie Burgos; Carousel beauties Nadia dela Cruz and Andrea Dimalanta; models Erika Pangan and Paulette Quinto; Davao charmer Ferniz Uttutalum; Baguio beauty queen Liezl Verses; Miss Teen Philippines runner-up and reigning Miss Mandaue (Cebu) Nicole Schmitz; Filipino-Spanish entrepreneur Rocio Olbes; and UP summa cum laude graduate and law student Therese Licaros.

The coronation night of the 44th Bb. Pilipinas Pageant will be held at the Big Dome on March 3 and will be aired by GMA 7.

  Bb. Pilipinas 2007 kicks off with final screening today  
   By: By JOSE D. PATAO, JR.

THE 2007 Bb. Pilipinas Beauty Pageant kicks off today (Saturday, January 20) with the much-anticipated final screening of aspirants at the Expo Center (formerly Food Dome) at the Araneta Center in Quezon City.

Close to 200 applicants will be showcasing their best to earn one of 25 precious slots as official candidate for this year’s search for the country’s representatives to the Miss Universe (to be held in Mexico), Miss World (to be held in Cebu) and Miss International (to be held in China).

If plans push through as scheduled, Miss World Organization president Julia Morley and Miss World 2005 Unnur Birna Viljahmsdottir of Iceland will come to Manila as guests of the pageant which will be held at the Big Dome on March 3. Morley will be scouting for possible venues in Cebu for this year’s Miss World Pageant.

Last January 13, beauty queen maker Rodgil Flores fielded 12 girls for the preliminary screening at the Bb. Pilipinas headquarters at the Araneta Coliseum. The girls have been regularly training under his team for the last 4 months at the Creative Artist Placement Services studios on Marconi St., Makati City.

Flores’ dainty dozen include: actress Margaret Nales Wilson, Miss Baguio 2005 Liezl Madarang Verses, Miss Teen Philippines 1st runner-up 2006 Nicole Maturan Schmitz, Philippine Supermodel 2005 finalist Erika Ibasco Pangan, Miss Philippines-Fire 2004 Sheila Margarethe Aguilar Alonso, Miss Philippines-Air 2005 Nadia Lee Cien Romero dela Cruz, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2005 3rd runner-up Abigail Lesley Grivas Cruz, Bb. Pilipinas 2005 Texters’ Choice Ricamarie Ann Beltran Taylor, Bb. Lungsod ng Batangas 2005 Aiza Abanador Magno, Filipino-Spanish entrepreneur Rocio Cristina Hernandez Olbes, Cebu accountant Nina Mae Villegas and Makati interior designer Helen Palacay.

The longest-running and most prestigious beauty pageant in the country, Bb. Pilipinas has produced 2 Misses Universe (Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran), 3 Misses International (Aurora Pijuan, Melanie Marquez and Precious Lara Quigaman), and a host of other world-class beauty queens.