JERRY OLEA
Nakapag-build ng friendships si Binibini #1 Stacey Daniella Gabriel sa Binibining Pilipinas 2022, lalo na sa mga kasamahan niya sa Aces and Queens.
"We see each other as pillars of strength because we know what each other is going through," sabi ni Stacey kamakailan via Zoom.
"We’re in the, you know, figurative trenches together."
Naka-close din niya si Binibini #8 Herlene Nicole Budol, aka Hipon Girl.
Read: Herlene Budol confident about acing Q&A: "Basta sasagot ako na may puso."
"Hipon, of course! Herlene is such a ray of sunshine. And she always lifts my spirit and brightens my day."
Nate-threaten ba siya kay Hipon Girl? Itinuturing ba niya itong mahigpit na kakumpetensya?
Napailing si Stacey, "I would be silly to not see absolutely everyone as a winner, as a titleholder at Binibining Pilipinas.
"Because dumaan po kami sa butas ng karayom para po maging parte ng Top 40. So everyone is extremely deserving, so gorgeous, so accomplished.
"So, of course, everyone has an equal shot at the crown. But I try not to see my sisters as competition.
"Rather, I only look at myself as competition. And I mean that with complete honesty because people might read that and think, ‘Hmm, I doubt that.’
"But honestly, I knew the only way that I could win is if I compete against myself from yesterday.
"Constantly raising the bar for my own self, and beating my previous best."
Ang 24-anyos na si Stacey ay dating nakakontrata sa Viva Artists Agency.
Kabilang sa TV shows na nilabasan niya ang FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano at La Luna Sangre. Nakasama rin siya sa Viva movie na The Day After Valentine’s na pinagbidahan nina Bela Padilla at JC Santos (2018).
Pahayag pa ni Stacey, "I am devoted to creating more compassion in the world through the power of storytelling, especially to highlight my struggles with anxiety and OCD.
"It would be a tremendous honor to create a greater impact in the space of awareness and acceptance as a Binibining Pilipinas [candidate], as I share my story as well amplify the voices of my fellow men."
NOEL FERRER
Puspusan na ang preparasyon sa 58th Binibining Pilipinas, na ang National Costumes ay irarampa sa Hulyo 16, Sabado, 3:00 p.m., sa The New Frontier Theater, Cubao, Quezon City.
Showcase ito ng “the best of Filipino service, heritage and craftmanship.”
Ang Coronation Night ay sa Hulyo 31 sa Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, at tumawag na sa akin mismo ang mga kaibigan natin mula sa Araneta Group of Companies para makapag-judge sina Hidilyn Diaz at Iza Calzado sa naturang pageant.
Kaso, nasa U.K. na si Iza noon kasama ang kanyang mga kaanak at in-laws.
Si Hidilyn naman ay busy sa pag-aasikaso ng mga kaanak na luluwas at dadalo para sa kanyang kasal. Ni hindi pa na-decide ang honeymoon ni Hidilyn at mapapangasawang si Coach Julius Naranjo.
Kaya naintindihan ng Binibining Pilipinas organization ang mga dahilan ng aking mga alaga na achievers.
Basta next time, suporta kami diyan lalo pa’t ang isa naming kasama sa pamilya na si Precious Lara Quigaman-Alcaraz ay sobrang active sa pagpapatakbo ng naturang kompetisyon kasama na sa pagte-train ng mga future Binibinis.
Ito na rin ang give back ng mga Queens sa Organisasyong naging daan sa pagtupad ng kanilang mga pangarap.
GORGY RULA
Maraming magagandang kandidata ngayon ang Binibining Pilipinas, kaya ang laking challenge nito kay Herlene Budol kung magkaka-title siya. Pero kahit magka-title man siya o hindi, nagka-career na siya at ang laking nabago sa kanya nitong pagsali niya sa Binibining Pilipinas.
Payanig ang National Costume ni Binibini #8 Nicole Budol, "Angono, Rizal known as the Art Capital of the Philippines and home of the HIGANTES Festival in celebration of the Feast of St. Clement.
"It is also believed that the Higantes Festival is regarded as a myth wherein there were giants who once walked over the land of Angono.
"The costume represents the image of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray as she once featured the province and the festivity during her competition.
"The painting also symbolizes the province of Angono, carefully and intricately hand-crafted by one of Angono's best artists.
"The body suit, mostly made of thousands of orange and gold crystals to embody the Binibini herself as HIPON GIRL."
Ang paliwanag naman sa National Costume ni Binibini 1 Stacey Daniella Gabriel, "Featuring a piña silk pechera barong, Ifugao weave skort and belt bag, and arnibal-soaked Jusi train.
"Adding whimsical delight are the good morning towel, sago-embellished gladiator heels, panukli between her knuckles, and even a piso in her ear.
"Stacey tips her umbrella hat to our valiant taho warriors for working tirelessly to bring warmth to our bellies."
Pabigatan ng National Costume ang iba pang mga Binibini.
At any rate, kung hindi puwede si Iza na mag-judge sa coronation night ng Binibining Pilipinas, mas okay kung sina Jane de Leon at Joshua Garcia para promo na rin ng Darna.
Pero naka-lock in pa rin pala sila sa taping ng Darna, at mukhang mahaba-haba pa raw ito.