by Christien Artacho and Ralph Tumaneng

Watching beauty pageants is undeniably one of the nation’s favorite pastimes. This interest in pageantry was greatly manifested as Bayambangueños flocked at the most beautiful and awaited night that everyone is excited for – the Binibining Bayambang 2019 Coronation Night at Pangasinan State University (PSU) grounds, April 6.

The journey in reaching the most coveted Binibining Bayambang 2019 crown finally concluded, as sociology major Viana Angeline Lazo of Barangay Reynado seized the Binibining Bayambang 2019 title.

The 19-year-old Lazo, who is a 4th year Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology student of the University of Santo Tomas solidified her front-runner status, as she showcased her selflessness with her winning answer during the Q&A as she answered the final question for the top five candidates which is: “If everything will be possible in this world, what impossible thing would you like to have and why?”

Her winning answer which impressed the panel of judges and made her stand out from the other four revolved more on recognizing self-worth and affection for one another amidst uncertainties and insecurities about one’s self. “The thing that I would like to be possible is to have a world wherein we have love for one another because I think we live in a modern world where we focus too much on our insecurities on ourselves and on other people, so I think this world will be a greater place for all of us if we just continue, if we just accept that we could all love one another,” she confidently and straightforwardly answered.

Aside from the P100,000 cash prize and another P100,000 for her chosen advocacy project, Lazo also won as the Darling of the Press. First runner-up Mia Arra Camacho of Barangay Zone III seized the Binibining Bayambang Tourism title, and 2nd runner-up Avegail Junio of Barangay Bani was crowned as Binibining Bayambang Charity. The top 3 candidates were crowned with a Manny Halasan custom-made crown.

Camacho, who also won as Most Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Winsome Smile, and Talk ‘N Text People Choice Award took home P50,000 and other cash prizes for the special awards. Moreover, she also won a vacation for two to Coron, Palawan with a 3-day and 2-night hotel accommodation. Meanwhile, Binibining Bayambang Charity 2019, Avegail Junio, received P30,000.

The rest of the candidates took home P10,000 as consolation prize.

Crowd favorite Mary Ann Romano, who was also part of the final five, bagged four of the special awards, including Ambassadress of Goodwill of the Local Council of Women, Best in Creative Costume, Best in Filipiniana Gown, and Miss Royal Mall. On the other hand, Maria Kizhia Jillian Espejo was awarded as Miss Red Cross. Maria Angelica Kyle Mejia was adjudged as Best in Talent and Miss Rich Star, while Hilary Castro was named Miss Congeniality.

The candidates wore the official Jojo Bragais nude platform heels as they showcased red stylish swimsuits and elegant Filipiniana gowns designed by Jot Losa. Wearing their Filipiniana gowns, the candidates were serenaded by Paulo Avelino during the evening gown portion that made not just only the candidates blush, but also the whole crowd going wild as he performed his song numbers.

At the start of the show, the President of the Local Council of Women and wife of the Municipal Mayor of Bayambang, Mrs. Niña Jose-Quiambao welcomed and thanked the Bayambangueños for their unending love and support for the 17 lovely binibinis. She said, “We are always very happy to organize this pageant because, for three years now, it has become a great chance for our young women to shine bright and show us the love that they are capable of giving others.”

The panel of the board judges included Creative Director and content creator of CoStudio.Co Vince Uy; fashion designers Jot Losa and Aoui Regala; film and digital photographer Francis Perez; pageant shoemaker Jojo Bragais; Mr. International Hongkong 2018 Waikin Kwan; Star Magic actor Dominic Roque; Ace Nava; Theabelle Celeste; Luella Aquino-Quiambao; Estrella Quiambao Gloriosa; Charmaine Cheng Dee; George Jacob Feredo Yulo; Aces and Queens trainers Roberto Arnold ‘Mama Ru’ Mercado, and the chairman of the Board of Judges, Jonas Gaffud.

Model and Actor Derek Ramsey hosted the event with former ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ host Bianca Gonzales-Intal along with anchor host Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Rafael L. Saygo.

Indeed, the entire town of Bayambang is looking forward to see what’s in store for the young and empowered Bayambangueñas as they render service for their beloved town throughout their one-year reign.

📷 Ralph Michael Tumaneng, Patricia Espino; Aerial shots by James Marc Aquino

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Bb. Bayambang 2019 Kinoronahan; Ganda at Talino Nangibabaw
nina Mechaella Joy R. La Torre at Timothy Fernando P. Sagun

Muling pinatunayan ng 17 kandidata ng Binibining Bayambang 2019 ang pangingibabaw ng mga Bayambangueña pagdating sa katalinuha’t kagandahan sa inabangang Grand Coronation Night na ginanap sa PSU grounds sa ika-6 ng Abril sa temang “Beauty for Love and Service.”

Libu-libong manonood ang nakasaksi kung paano pinag-agawan ng bawat kandidata ang titulo. Bawat isa’y nagpamalas ng kanyang galing sa pagrampa na sinabayan ng tilian ng mga manonood.

Makikita sa mukha ng mga manonood ang paghanga nang magpakitang-gilas ang mga kabigha-bighaning kandidata suot ang magagarbong creative costumes. Ito ay kinakitaan ng pagkamalikhain sa paggamit ng mga lokal na produkto ng Bayambang, partikular na ang mais at sibuyas. Sa ipinamalas na kariktan at mabusising disenyo, nakuha ni Mary Ann Romano, Binibini #7, ang Best in Creative Costume, gayundin ang titulong Ambassadress of Goodwill.

Samantala, lalong humanga ang lahat nang muling rumampa ang mga binibini suot ang kulay pulang swimsuit na nagpakita ng naggagandahang kurba ng kanilang mga katawan. Nangibabaw sa lahat si Binibini #14, Mia Arra Camacho, na hinirang na Best in Swimsuit. Siya ay ginawaran din ng titulong Miss Photogenic at Miss Winsome Smile,

Napuno naman ng hiyawan ang buong PSU grounds nang haranahin ni ‘Kapamilya’ star, Paulo Avelino, ang mga kandidata suot ang makukulay na Filipiniana na dinisenyo ng sikat na designer na si Jot Losa.

Hindi rin naman nagpahuli sina Binibini #2 Maria Kizha Jillian Espejo na hinirang na Miss Red Cross at Binibini #3 Hillary Castro bilang Miss Congeniality.
Naging emosyonal naman ang “farewell walk” nina Bb. Ara Joyce Bato (Bb. Bayambang 2018 Miss Charity), Bb. Brengie Sen Tamayo (Bb. Bayambang 2018 Miss Tourism), at Bb. Gabrielle Marie Reloza (Bb. Bayambang 2019) na nag-iwan ng mga mensahe para sa mga susunod na magsusuot ng korona. Ayon sa kanila, bukod sa kagandahan ay kailangang mangibabaw sa mga susunod na
Binibini ang buong pusong paglilingkod sa bayan ng Bayambang.

Mula sa labingpitong kandidata, pinili ang Top 8 kung saan naibahagi nila ang kani-kanilang mga adbokasiya at proyekto. Kabilang dito ang pagkakaisa ng taumbayan, ang pagrespeto sa mga karapatan ng kababaihan at ang pagpapanatili ng kaayusan sa lugar para sa kaunlaran ng bawat Bayambangueño. At mula rito ay pinili ang Top 5.

Ang limang kandidata ay sumagot sa iisang katanungan. Bawat isa’y nagpakita ng husay at kumpiyansa sa pagsagot. At mula sa lima ay pinili ang tatlong Binibining nararapat sa titulo.

At sabay-sabay na inabangan nang kinoronahan bilang Binibining Bayambang 2019 ang nagrepresenta ng Brgy. Reynado na si Viana Angelie Lazo, Binibini #17, na itinanghal ding Darling of the Press. Sa Q&A, sinabi ni Viana na nais niyang mabalot ng pagmamahalan ang buong mundo upang mapaigting ang pagkakapantay-pantay ng buong sambayanan.

Kinoronahan naman na Miss Tourism si Binibini #14 Mia Arra Camacho ng Brgy. Zone 3, at kinoronahan bilang Miss Charity si Binibini #15 Avegail Junio ng Brgy. Bani.

Ayon kay G. Jonas Gaffud, ang tagapangulo ng lupon ng mga hurado, ang mga nagwaging kandidata ay kinakitaan ng paninindigan at lakas ng loob, at may magagandang adhikain hindi lang para sa Bayambang kundi pati sa buong mundo.

Ang lahat ay tumugma sa tinuran ni Gng. Niña Jose-Quiambao na ang layunin ng pageant ay hindi lamang para kagandahan, kundi pati na rin sa paghahanap sa isang Bayambangueñang handang mag-alok ng serbisyo at may pagpapahalaga sa mga makabuluhang gampanin tungo sa pag-unlad sa bayan. Layunin din nito na itaas ang imahe ng mga kababaihan.

📷 Ralph Michael Tumaneng, Patricia Espino; ; Aerial shots ni James Marc Aquino

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