Binibining Pilipinas 2021 welcomed three new beauty queens hailing from Cagayan De-Oro-Misamis Oriental, Cavite, and Masbate.
Binibini 12 Cinderella Faye Obenita, 25, went home with the Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2021 crown. Her advocacies include cervical cancer awareness of prevention and press freedom.
For her question and answer portion, Cinderella tackled the question from designer Michael Cinco who asked the importance of choosing luxury items amid the economic downturn.
“In life, we always find ourselves at the crossroad of choices. Women always have a choice whether to prioritize luxury items while we are facing a pandemic. And also they have the choice to embrace the concept of the new beautiful which is responsive to the needs of the time and adaptive to the change of times. I think I would choose to be that woman who understands the problems of the Philippines, the problems of my community, so that we will be able to uplift each other. I would be that kind of woman who will comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. Maayong gabi sa inyong tanan,” Cinderella shared.
Meanwhile, Binibini 1 Samantha Alexandra Panlilio from Cavite was named as the Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2021.
The 25-year-old Caviteña answered the question from designer Rajo Laurel who asked about a life-changing learning or activity that the candidate did for the first time during the pandemic.
“The one thing that I did in the pandemic was to cook food for front liners because I love to cook and I also have a food blog which I do during my spare time. It was such a fulfilling and humbling experience helping these people and helping contribute to the people who are at the frontlines helping us Filipinos. I hope that what I did inspired other women to help one another. Because the only way that we can survive and heal and recover from this pandemic is to help one another,” Samantha said.
Lastly, Binibini 17 Hannah Arnold from Masbate took home the crown for Bb. Pilipinas International 2021.
Hannah answered a question from journalist Pinky Webb who asked about the existence of genuine freedom of speech in the Philippines given the reach and power of social media nowadays.
“First of all, freedom of speech is a basic human right that we all must remember. And it is important for our democracy. And with our upcoming election, we definitely need freedom of speech. For example, on Twitter, we are limited to a few characters and what I’ve seen from these tweets have been powerful and have helped me to think about who I would like to vote for in the upcoming election,” the 24-year-old beauty queen said.
Special awards
Other major awards were given to three more beauty queens. Binibini 19 Gabrielle Basiano from Eastern Samar and Binibini 17 Meiji Cruz from Valenzuela City were announced as first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively.
Binibini 10 Maureen Montagne from Batangas was named as Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2021.
The Binibining Pilipinas 2021 coronation night took place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and was hosted by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves.