Bb. Pilipinas '25 candidates weigh in on pageant spending and meaning
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Binibining Pilipinas candidates seemed to have undergone question-and-answer training when they faced the entertainment media during an intimate event, which was organized by one of the pageant's partners, My Daily Collagen, on Monday, June 2.
After introducing themselves, the 36 aspiring beauty queens gamely answered questions from the entertainment editors and writers about their personal lives, careers, and advocacies.
In the two-part Q&A, GMANetwork.com asked Binibining Pilipinas candidates Mia Bettina Gollino of Malabon and Annabell Mae McDonnell of Iligan City whether spending a large amount of money to win a crown is truly worth it.
This is in connection with the recent statements of pageant insiders who said that joining a beauty competition is very costly.
Golisino answered, “On a practical sense, yes, there are many things involved in the pageantry that I have learned as a first-timer. It was quite shocking but… Although yes, there are many things you need to buy, like gowns, your hair, and makeup.
“But what really matters more is what's within us already. I think that if we have the potential and the courage and the determination to speak the truth, your purpose and your core values, that matters much more than the financial value of what you're putting in this competition.
McDonnell, on the other hand, said that it doesn't need to be so expensive.
She explained, “Well, I would have to agree that this costs a lot to join beauty pageants, especially a national one. Realistically speaking, it does cost a lot.
“However, if you're not from a privileged background like myself, since I've been a breadwinner since I was like, 15, and I really had a lot of jobs just to sustain my studies and still support my uncle back at home in Iligan.
“I'd say that I've overcome these financial challenges through my network because I never based my self-worth on my net worth; I base it on my networks.”
She then thanked her team, who have been her strong supporters.
“I'm really grateful to have Aces and Queens as a camp because they train us for free since it's an advocacy organization.
“Moreover, my work as an events host and a model, I've met so many great creatives who have been willing to give a helping hand throughout my Binibining Pilipinas journey. It's still fair to spend a little bit on pageants because we still have to pay the creative teams that really support us as well. Let's normalize supporting the creative industry.”
Meanwhile, another reporter asked Binibining Pilipinas candidate Radha Marie Cabug if pageantry is still relevant.
The contestant from District 2 of Las Piñas said that there used to be a stigma about pageantry, where “it seems so shallow and all those kinds of thoughts.”
However, in this modern age, Cabug said, “I believe that beauty pageants are big platforms for women to be able to tell their stories, to be heard, and to empower other women. Pageantry has moved from more than just beauty to a beauty with a purpose.
“I believe beauty pageants have been relevant in women's empowerment because they showcase different qualities of women that aren't usually shown in the media.”
The 36 candidates of the 2025 Binibining Pilipinas are joined by My Daily Collagen executives -- president Anna Perez (seated, center) and chief sales officer Oliver Salas -- during a media event marking the second year of the national pageant's collaboration with the Filipino-owned, Japan-made collagen brand. Representing BPCI is Clarisse Lacanlale (seated, left).
In a separate interview, My Daily Collagen's chief sales officer Oliver Salas explained why they partnered with Binibining Pilipinas for the second time this year.
He said, “Maraming invitations sa amin ng different pageants, but we really took time to study Binibining Pilipinas. One thing we discovered, in summary, kung beauty pageant contestant ka or winner, hindi kumpleto ang experience mo kung di ka dumaan sa Binibining Pilipinas, e. In its 61 years dito sa Pilipinas, Binibining Pilipinas is already an institution. So, we're very, very proud to have partnered with them.”
In conclusion, the brand's president and CEO, Anna Perez, reminds aspiring beauty queens that beauty is more than a physical appearance.
“Siyempre sa kabuuan mo bilang tao -- sa ritwal mo, sa paniniwala mo, at sa kung paano mo itrato ang mga tao. Kahit na anong mangyari, lagi mong alamin 'yung purpose. Confident na ako sa sarili ko -- maganda man or hindi perfect or may imperfections. You just have to know your purpose.”
The Binibining Pilipinas coronation night is scheduled on June 15, 2025.
Check out the 36 Binibining Pilipinas candidates here:
