SMART Araneta Coliseum was almost about to explode when celebrity hosts Xian Lim and KC Concepcion announced this year’s Binibining Pilipinas winners during the pageant’s coronation night last Sunday, April 17.
Twenty five year old Maria Mika Maxine Medina was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2016 by no less than her predecessor Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
The Miss Universe Philippines title was formerly called Binibining Pilipinas Universe. It was changed in 2011 to conform to the international standards for the Miss Universe pageant.
Medina is De La Salle College of St. Benilde and the Philippine School of Interior Design graduate who has designed various residential condominiums. She also works as a fashion model for various campaigns and advertisements.At 5’8″, this young stunner, a senior member at the Professional Models Association of the Philippines, once made it to the list of candidates for Binibining Pilipinas 2012 but was eliminated due to a contract conflict with a product she was endorsing then.
Miss Universe 2016 Wurtzbach, who was enthusiastically welcomed by the audience, returned to the country a few days before the pageant to deliver her with touching farewell speech and walk. 2015’s Miss International, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Globe, Miss Supranational, and Miss Grand International winners also gave their own farewell walks, a first in the history of the pageant.
The rest of this year’s winners are as follows: Bb Pilipinas International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, Bb Pilipinas Supranational 2016 Joanna Eden, Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental 2016 Jennifer Hammond, Bb Pilipinas Globe 2016 Nichole Manalo, and Bb Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves.
First runner up title was awarded to Angelica Alita, while Dabwenya model Jehza Mae Huelar
Special was declared second runner up. Another Dabawenya, Kristine Angeli Estoque, also joined the competition but failed to crack the Top 15.
PLDT Home DSL, an exclusive presenter of the pageant, also awarded Medina as People’s Choice Awardee and PLDT Home DSL endorser during her reign. Wurtzbach’s latest commercial with the telecom was also shown during the pageant.
Former Mutya ng Dabaw and Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa hosted a pre-pageant red carpet program at the PLDT Home DSL booth and interviewed some of the former titleholders, such as Alma Concepcion, Bianca Manalo and Venus Raj.
Sharing with you some of my snapshots taken before and during the pageant. Special thanks to Ms. Cheryl Maxine Parangan-Loyala.