Ariella Arida is the Philippines’ representative to the next Miss Universe competition.
The 24-year-old BS Chemistry graduate from Laguna was crowned last night, April 14, at the Binibining Pilipinas pageant held at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Besting 49 others, Ariella, a.k.a. candidate #41, will have a lot on her shoulders from here on as she tries to surpass or equal the three-peat of the Philippines in the Miss Universe competition.
In 2010, Maria Venus Raj placed 4th runner-up; in 2011, Shamcey Supsup finished 3rd runner-up; and in 2012, Janine Tugonon became 1st runner-up.
Joining Ariella in this new batch of Binibining Pilipinas “queens” are Bea Rose Santiago (Bb. Pilipinas-International), Joanna Cindy Miranda (Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism), and Mutya Johanna Datul (Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational).
Bea Rose spent eight years of her life in Canada, but was born and raised here in the Philippines. The 22-year-old Communications graduate represented the country in the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2012 held in China last December
Joanna Cindy, on the other hand, is also a Thomasian (University of Santo Tomas graduate) like Janine Tugonon. This 22-year-old and Tourism graduate has had her share of previous local pageant wins and a brief hosting stint on TV5’s Wil Time Bigtime.
Meanwhile, Mutya Johanna is no stranger to the pageant, as she made it to the Top 10 of the Binibining Pilipinas 2012. The 20-year-old beauty from Isabela was among the crowd favorites last night.
Another crowd favorite, candidate No. 15 Pia Wurtzbach, was hailed first runner-up. Pia, also known as Pia Romero in showbiz, has been a model-actress and talent of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic for several years.
The candidates who made it in the Top 15 are: Imelda Schweighart (No. 45), Grace Yann Apuad (No. 34), Charmaine Elima (No. 13), Rhea Nakpil (No. 43, StarStruck alumna), Amanda Navasero (No. 46), Ellore Punzalan (No. 22), Camille Nazar (No. 12), Mariel de Leon (No. 31, daughter of Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong), and Merry Joyce Respicio (No. 25).
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