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50 Official Bb. Pilipinas Candidates Announced

19. Hannah Ruth Sison

The heat is on for the 50 officials candidates of this year’s Bb. Pilipinas, since they have to live up to Bb.Pilipinas-Universe Janine Tugonon’s impressive first runner-up finish in the Miss Universe pageant held in the US last year.

This year’s batch, however, seems to be equal to the challenge. From over a hundred aspirants who flocked to the 3-day screening on February 11, 12, and 13, only 70 have been called back to appear at the final screening on February 23 at the Gateway Suites in Quezon City.

Now on its 50th year, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) has selected 50 official candidates who will have the chance of winning one of the three most sough-after crowns in the history of Binibining Pilipinas: Miss Universe-Philippines 2013, Binibining Pilipinas-International 2013, and Binibining Pilipinas-Tourism 2013.

Read related story: Christopher de Leon's Daughter Among Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Candidates

The surge of qualified young beauty queen wannabes is seen as the result of the Philippines’ inspiring three consecutive runner up placements in the Miss Universe Pageant beginning with Venus Raj who won fourth runner-up in 2010; Shamcey Supsup who finished with the third runner-up title in 2011 and Janine Tugonon, who came close to becoming the official most beautiful woman in the universe in 2012.

Among the judges who sifted through this year’s applicants are ABS-CBN head writer Chris Violago, ABS-CBN Special Projects Head Chit Guerrero, Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman, Venus Raj, hamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon.

More: Pinoys, celebs react to Janine Tugonon’s win

The screening committee also included the BPCI board led by Chairperson Stella Marquez Araneta, and composed of board members Conchitina Bernardo, artist Betsy Westendorp and fashion director Raymond Villanueva.

Familiar faces such as Pia Wurtzbach, actress and model, Rhea Nakpil, Starstruck 3 alumni, and Mariel De Leon, model and daughter of actors Christopher De Leon and Sandy Andolong, will grace this year’s pageant.

Product endorsement deals and a prize package are just two of the perks that await  winners. The reigning Bb. Pilipinas winners are Miss Universe 2012 1stRunner Up Janine Tugonon, Miss International 2012 semi-finalist Nicole Schmitz, Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism 2012 Katrina Dimaranan, Miss Supranational third runner-up Elaine Kay Moll and Bb. Pilipinas 2012 second runner-up Ali Forbes.

A slew of activities involving the candidates are expected to push through in the following weeks, climaxing with the grand coronation night on April 14, to be aired live on ABS-CBN.

The 2013 Binibining Pilipinas Pageant is presented by Araneta Center.

Meet the official candidates

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