EXCLUSIVE: The Reigning Queens—The Binibining Pilipinas 2018 Titleholders On The Cover Of Metro.Style
What does it mean to be a beauty queen? Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray says that a beauty queen is someone who has the willingness to take on that responsibility and have that dedication to be of service to others whether through an advocacy or a charity. "I think it's really a pity if you're a beauty queen, and you don't champion any of that," Catriona enthuses.
Quite ironically—and thankfully—being a beauty queen isn't all about beauty in its particular superficial sense. Even then, and more so now, pageantry is more than just a showcase of outer beauty, it is also a platform that allows inner beauty to shine by giving its contestants the opportunity to drive attention to certain issues and problems in the society that specifically resonate to them.
Equipped with beauty, brains, and boldness, the beauty queens are considered role models, who are not only admired for their stunning looks but also for their being smart, independent women and good-hearted individuals.
This year's Bb. Pilipinas titleholders hold a lot of promise when it comes to representing the Philippines and making waves in the respective international pageants they will compete in. Collectively, these beauty queens show so much variety in terms of looks, talents, and personalities that it's truly exciting to watch what each of them can further bring to the table.
Pageantry is one thing that Filipinos are really good at and, therefore, known for. Give a Pinay her crown, and she will conquer the world.
READ: Meet The New Beauty Queens—Catriona Gray Is Miss Universe Philippines 2018
What does being a beauty queen mean to you?
Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray: "I think a beauty queen is not a queen for herself; being a queen is a role of service... So many people look up to you. You have so much influence that you can really do good, and I feel like I have already proven to myself that with being a beauty queen, you can make a difference, like with the opening of the school I helped fund with Young Focus in Tondo, Manila."
Bb. Pilipinas International 2018 Ahtisa Manalo: "Ang genuine beauty queen, makikita mo 'yun sa heart, in the mind, when they want to have change. We, beauty queens, we’re given a platform where we can enact change and call support to our causes. Since we’re always in the limelight, this is a better way to express our thoughts to the public. People these days, they’re so quick to believe everything they see on social media. What they need is a good influence, and us, as beauty queens, we’d like to be influencers in a good way."
Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar: "It’s not always what you see physically. You should always know the person, where she's coming from. Queen is not only 'she,' but everyone who wants to be a beauty queen, even from the opposite sex. Let's not put a barrier that a beauty queen is only a girl. Let's not look at the physical attribute but also what's inside one's heart and one's head."
Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2018 Eva Patalinjug: "A beauty queen does not only wear her crown with her head but with her heart as well. She is not only beautiful, smart and diverse, she also has to be with substance and she has to have a heart and soul for the people, in order to really make a difference and a mark in this world. I wanna break the stereotype of the beauty queen that’s only glitz and glamour. We know how to give back as well, because God already blessed us with so much."
Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman: "Beauty queens are not only beautiful with a great body, we are also intelligent and professional, and we come from diverse backgrounds. We are people with influence as well, and we have that platform to bring awareness to our personal advocacies. We also have substance, not just beauty."
Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2018 Michele Gumabao: "Being a beauty queen is just a stepping stone for my future. I see how people take beauty queens seriously. I see the platform that we have. People look up to you, and people are in awe of your beauty and your brains. As a volleyball player, people don’t take you as seriously... I've always believed in the power of sports, and now that I'm in Binibining Pilipinas, that’s what I'm really focusing on: the power of sports and how it can influence the youth."
READ: Binibining Pilipinas 2018 Recap: The Top 15 And The Q&A Portion
Get to know the Bb. Pilipinas 2018 queens more through Metro.Style's series of digital covers, featuring Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, Bb. Pilipinas International 2018 Ahtisa Manalo, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2018 Eva Patalinjug, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Karen Gallman, and Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2018 Michele Gumabao. Watch out for them!
[photos]
Produced by Grace Libero-Cruz
Photography by Rxandy Capinpin
Creative direction by Chookie Cruz
Styling by Stylized – Danae Dizon, Patrick Perez, Joy Bernardo, Steven Coralde, Aina Ampil, and Aia Tabuzo
Videography by Deiniel Cuvin
Video editing by Ayyah Mandac
Makeup by Jelly Eugenio for Catriona Gray, Justine Navato for Ahtisa Manalo, Anthea Bueno for Karen Gallman, Shone Zendon for Eva Patalinjug, Mhoy Almazan for Jehza Huelar, and Carissa Cielo for Michele Gumabao
Hairstyling by Jaymar Lahaylahay for Catriona Gray and Ahtisa Manalo, Donald Lapez for Revlon Professional Brands for Michele Gumabao (assisted by Sam Guerrero) and Karen Gallman, Oli Sara for Eva Patalinjug and Jehza Huelar
Writers: Grace Libero-Cruz, Sara de los Reyes, Jovi Figueroa, and Mariel Abanes
Shoot assistant: James Mangile
Special thanks to Gines Enriquez, Ivan de Lara, Terry Dy of Café Amazon, and Stephen Capuchino
Shot on location at Zoomburst Studios
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