Crowned: Binibining Pilininas 2015/Miss Universe Philippines 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
Three days ago, the 52nd edition of
Binibining Pilipinas occurred at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City Philippines. At the end of the pageant, contestant No. 10
Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was crowned
Miss Universe Philippines 2015 and earned the title to represent her nation in this year's Miss Universe competition, wherever that will be.
Photo of the crowning moment--the new "Miss Universe Philippines" being crowned by last year's winner Mary Jean Lastimosa
The 25 year old 5' 8" actress/model is of Filipino/German descent and was actually born in Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg Germany. Her father is German and mother, Filipina.
Finally, I did it! Pia Wurtzbach is the new "Miss Universe Philippines"
Photos Courtesy of Binibining Pilipinas Facebook
Pia (also known as Pia Romero) competed THREE consecutive times for this title beginning in 2013 (now that's dedication!!), the first time she got First Runner-Up title but then she resigned since she wanted to compete again. The second time, she only placed among the 12 semifinalists and this time, she won...FINALLY!
Not Her First Time At The Pageant Rodeo--Pia Wurtzbach
Pia worked for the big media conglomerate ABS-CBN as an actress under contract (like those Hollywood actresses during the Hollywood Studio heydays), and therefore she was very well known to the Filipino population. Anyhow, enough about that. Let's get to discussing the important stuff: THE GOWNS!!!!
First, I have to give a "Gown Shout-Out" to co-host of the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 Pageant Toni Gonzaga:
Photo Courtesy of Rappler.com
Singer/TV host and actress
Toni Gonzaga--who, according to
Forbes Asia, is considered to be the most powerful celebrity in the Philippines (At-a-Gurl!) wore a big ol' ball gown from Dubai-based Filipino designer
Michael Cinco. She basically gave the "Gown Middle Finger" (but very politely) to all the contestants when she showed up with this over the top Couture creation (in other words, she was saying "Top this darlings!!".
A Lot of Gown: And to be honest, even though, it was A LOT, none of the contestants during the Evening Gown portion, really came close to this in terms of impact. The blue colored ball gown featured a boat neck neckline and lace applique on silk organza with three tiers. It's a big gown and Toni is a petite woman. You would think that it would have been overwhelming on her. It was, just a little...but overall, I think she carried it off.
Gown Girls--Miss Binibining Pilipinas 2015 Evening Gowns
Photos Courtesy of Rappler.com and Binibining Pilipinas Facebook
And now my Top and Not-So-Mucheey List of Binibining Pilipinas Evening Gowns. As a side note, I did not include every gown here and in terms of the "Very Good" or the "Not So Mucheey", there wasn't a OH MY GAWWWD THAT IS SOOO FABULOUS gown or a "OOOOOH GURL, That's Just a Mess!" Every gown was just kind of "Meh". With that said, let's begin with the eventual winner--Pia Wurtzbach's--gown:
All Photos Courtosey of Binibining Pilipinas
Contestant No. 10 Pia Wurtzbach: Pia's gown was not perfect and certainly not very red carpet Couture fab but it was OK. It looked like a version of a wannabe Atelier Versace gown--from a collection of 7 years ago--using not-so-Atelier fabric. I did like the silver-gunmetal colors and one shoulder/midriff stylings but it just looked a bit dated. And yes, that side front high slit was SOOOO "Pageant Betty".
Nick Gown Score: 8.0No. 32 Danita Joan Ruazol: Danita's gown was definitely a stand-out! I loved the Empire-waist style and the gold netting detail at the top torso. And I was very happy with the proper length and her hair and makeup. Very good!
Gown Score: 9.0No. 20 Tanya Angelina Nicole Hyde: Tanya wore a strapless Empire-style powder pink gown that fit her well and looked quite angelically beautiful on her. I liked the silver and pink sequin work at the bustier and the chiffon flowed very nicely.
Gown Score: 9.0
No. 6 Toni Alyessa Hipolito: I liked the black lace over nude style. And I also appreciate the sequin detail in the torso. This was a good gown but nothing extraordinary. I was happy that the length was just right. Her hair and makeup also looked fresh and modern; not "Pageant Betty", thank you very much.
Gown Score: 8.9
No. 11 Janicel Lubina: I loved this gown with it's blue and ivory "Ming Dynasty Vase"-like detail. The sequin and applique work was very impacting. I just wish the neckline and overall look of the gown was more "Red Carpet Chic". I'd rather see this with a capelet or one shoulder...something! But overall: Very nice.
Gown Score: 8.9No. 24 Ann Lorraine Colis: Here's another strapless Empire-waist gown that I liked. It was simple, elegant and sweet. I liked the silver and blue sequin work at the bustier and flowing gathered chiffon gown-skirt. What I didn't like was seeing those too high stacked platform nude heels. Sooo tacky-licious.
Gown Score: 8.7
No 21 Alaiza Flor Malinao: I liked this gown for its "unusual" print; in other words, it's not usual that one sees a print in a gown...in a beauty pageant. I also appreciated the delicate sequin work within the flowers of the print. And it was the right length and fit her quite nicely.
Gown Score: 8.7
No. 18 Crissa Marie Mendiola: I liked this gown. In fact, it was one of my favorites. I liked the gold sequin fabric--it was very stage impacting--and the bodice portion was very nice. If I had to critique anything, it's the too-short length. It needed to be about 6" longer. I don't want to see those tacky silver Stripper platform heels. PUHLEASE!!
Gown Score: 8.5
No. 29 Nancy Lee Leonard: Nancy chose to wear a nude/blush colored gown--very popular style for the red carpet. I liked this style; it was simple, elegant and not too mucheey. What was too muchey were those colored earrings; I just don't understand. She is SOOOO pretty, she didn't need those earrings and would have been SOOOO fabulous with a more impacting gown. But this was, well, just OK.
Gown Score: 8.5--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Not So Muchey Gowns:No. 7 Enrica Roxiel Guieb: OK, now, we are getting quite close to the "Not-so-Muchey" bunch. This strapless gown with side front slit is very 1996 but I liked the slicked back hair and those fab earrings and silver sequins in the strapless neckline. But yeah, she was close to a Not-So-Muchey.
Gown Score: 7.9
No. 3 Ria Rabajante: Another Gown contender for being very very close to the Not-So-Muchey List is Ria. The gown is very dated and very "Pageant Betty"--the bright blue, figure skating sequins, the side front slit...--I did like her hair and earrings. But yeah, poor thang was stuck in 2003 Pageant Gown World.
Gown Score: 7.9No. 12 Kylie Verzosa: Oh Kylie. The good news: is I love the ombre heavy-too-light crystal sequins trickling down. The bad news: the rest of the gown and style--and those strappy platform heels...are BEYOND tacky. Once again, I thought I was watching an early 2000 beauty pageant. Can we please get with the 2015 Gown program!!??
Gown Score: 7.9No. 26 Anabel Christine Tia: Too short, too basic, too off-the-rack. And yes, too boring. She's very pretty but this is a gown for a guest at a wedding. Not for a contestant in the Miss Universe Philippines Beauty Pageant!
Gown Score: 7.8N
o. 27 Ina Dominica Guerrero: This baby blue gown with silver sequin neckline detail looks like it was bought on sale at a Beauty Pageant Store; it's just too Pageant Pedestrian. I expect more from a pageant of this level.
Gown Score: 7.7
No. 19 Christi Lynn McGarry: While I like the impacting lipstick red color, the style and silhouette of this strapless mermaid gown is a bit dated. there's nothing directional or new about this and frankly, nothing that screams "fashion!". Any girl with $500 could have bought this at their local pageant dress store. I want to see something more LUXE and more special from the Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
Gown Score: 7.7
No. 2 Maria Jenny Feliz Gonzalez: Oh no, now I really think I have gone back in Pageant Gown time and I think it's 1996. The style, sequins and that shoulder flower detail...it's waaay too "Pageant Vintage". What was Maria Jenny thinking??? On a good note: at least the length was right! Yay for that.
Gown Score: 7.6
No. 13 Mae Liezel Ramos: I just don't get this whole trend of the micro-mini dress with attached chiffon skirt. Sorry, Mae but you are too pretty for such a tacky gown.
Gown Score: 7.5
No. 1 Samantha Barbara Balbin: I like her hair style and earring choice. But this gown...the gold sequin applique and iridescent organza/tulle is not right and I cannot even go beyond that! Can we please come up with more fabulous, more modern, more chic gowns??? ASAP!!!???
Gown Score: 7.5
No. 22 Anja-Vanessa Peter: Here's another example of a dated style. Anja-Vanessa is so pretty and young but this style of gown is soooo Mother-of-the-Bride--as well as so off-the-rack looking. The only thing that excites me is her hair, natural makeup and lack of tacky-licious accessories.
Gown Score: 7.5
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The Top Girls: Binibining Pilipinas 2015 Finalist and Winners--L to R: Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2015 Rogelie Catacutan, Binibining International 2015 Janicel Lubina, Miss Universe Philippines Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Binibining Intercontinental 2015 Christi Lynn McGarry, Binibining Tourism 2015 Ann Lorraine Colis
Photo Courtesy of Binibining Pilipinas
Congratulations to Miss Universe Philippines 2015 Pia Wurtzbach!
Photo Courtesy of Binibining Pilipinas
