MJ Lastimosa's Sentimental Journey Home

It was a sentimental journey home for newly- crowned Bb Pilipinas- Universe Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa

Thousands of North Cotabateños came to welcome home Lastimosa, also known as “MJ,” who hails from Sibsib area in nearby Tulunan town in the 3rd district of the province.

 North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza gives 2014 Binibining Pilipinas MJ Lastimosa a tight hug during the latter’s homecoming  

Our country’s bet in the 2014 Miss Universe Pageant flew in to North Cotabato by chopper and was readily greeted by thousands of her kabayayans who were waiting for almost three hours at the North Cotabato provincial capitol in Amas, Kidapawan City.

A welcome fit for a queen

Lastimosa was greeted by North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza who admitted feeling like a stage mother for MJ whom her administration supported from day one.

Lastimosa thanked her fellow Cotabatenos for their support especially during the pageant night at the Araneta Coliseum last March 30 where several supporters in red were cheering for her.

In a brief press conference, Lastimosa promised the Cotabateños that she will do her best to bring home the crown of Miss Universe 2014.

Gov. Mendoza on the other hand urged all her constituents to pray for MJ as she vowed to keep on giving her administration’s all-out support to Lastimosa who is now representing not just North Cotabato but the entire country as well.

The welcome honor for Lastimosa, who will represent the country in the 2014 Miss Universe pageant, was organized by the office of North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza.

Some 10,000 people from Tulunan and other parts of the province gathered at the provincial capitol grounds in Amas District here to greet Lastimosa.

Her homecoming coincided with the “Sayaw Kutawato 2014,” a provincial ethno-modern group dance contest at the provincial gymnasium also inside the capitol compound.

More than a dozen groups from North Cotabato’s different towns joined in the dance contest, which is part of the activities meant to highlight the forthcoming September 1, 2014 centennial anniversary of the province.

Mendoza told reporters the positive impact of Lastimosa’s win to the local eco-tourism climate is now being felt. MJ single- handedly put the province in the limelight when she bagged the country’s most coveted national beauty title

North Cotabato boasts of eco-tourism sites, among them the wildlife sanctuary Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak at more than 12 thousand feet above sea level.

Lastimosa, in an impromptu message, said she is thankful to the Mendoza administration for supporting her participation to the 2014 Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

Photo Credits: Copyright infringement not intended

2013 Bb Pilipinas Gold Queens: Most Successful Batch Ever

The 2013 Bb Pilipinas Gold Edition  Queens really lived up to their billing as they have proven to be the most successful batch of Bb Pilipinas.

Farewell Queens L-R: Cindy, Ara, Bea & Mutya

A Year Ago as Bb Pilipinas Gold Edition Queens

Two international crowns, a runner up finish and a Top Ten placement sum up the performances of our four Bb Pilipinas queens in the international beauty arena

At a time when our country was reeling from natural disasters that came one after the other and causing devastation, desolation and deaths, the achievements of our beauty queens were like rays of sunshine that brought unbridled joy and elation for our kababayans

Ara Arida made it four in a row for the Philippines in the Miss Universe Pageant held in Russia. Her 3^rd RU finish was our fourth Top Five placement in the Miss Universe Pageant

2013 Miss Universe Best in Swimsuit

She silenced her critics and detractors with a stunning swimsuit performance that gave us our first ever Best in Swimsuit award in the Miss U Pageant.

Victorious Homecoming Parade for Bea Rose

Bea Rose Santiago became our country’s fifth Miss International titleholder after wowing the Japanese- dominated panel of judges with her poise and elegance and of course , with her heartfelt speech during the final round

Mutya Johanna Datul became the first Filipina and first Asian to ensnare the Miss Supranational crown  which she won in Belarus. 

Mutya is congratulated by fellow candidates

Mutya is the first Filipina & first Asian to win Miss Supranational

Her sunny disposition, her winsome smile and oodles of charm melted icy Belarus on her way to winning the crown

Finally, Cindy Miranda made the Top Ten in the Miss Tourism Queen International Pageant despite the stiff competition and unpredictable judging

As they passed on their crowns to the 2014 Bb Pilipinas queens,  you can feel the surge of pride and adulation showered on them by a grateful and proud country

But the proudest would have to be Madame Stella Marquez Araneta, the dynamic force behind Bb Pilipinas Charities Inc who has steered the country's most prestigious pageant to where it is now

Long may you reign ladies!

Photo Credits:

Bb Pilipinas Charities, Inc

Miss Philippines Is Miss International 2013

Our very own Bea Rose Santiago became the country’s fifth Filipina to be crowned Miss International during a glittering and glamorous pageant held at the Shinagawa Prince Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

BEA'S WINNING ANSWER:

Miss Philippines Bea Rose Santiago’s winning answer to the question on what she will do if she wins as Miss International 2013 :

The whole world saw how my country, the Philippines, suffered. The agony of my people was felt, but one by one, country to country came to help. 

I would like to thank all the nations that helped my country. In our darkest hours, you have opened my eyes and my heart on how important it is - if we all just support each other. 

If I become Miss International, I will uphold international camaraderie to sustain the spirit for sympathy and to continually share the message of hope. 

I believe that whatever calamity may come to us, as long as we have each other, there will be hope. Thank you."

RUNNERS UP

Her court includes 1st Runner-Up Nathalie den Dekker of the Netherlands and 2nd Runner-Up Casey Radley of New Zealand. 

The delegates from Hungary and Colombia completed the Top 5.

Contestants from Brazil, Ecuador, Gibraltar, Iceland, Lithuania, Russia, Puerto Rico, Spain, Thailand and USA were part of the Top 15 semi-finalists.

Not a single black delegate reached the semi-finals.

 Bea reacts after being crowned Miss International 2013

Sixty- seven girls from all over the world competed in the 54^th annual Miss International Pageant

TRIVIA:

Did you know that the first Miss International Stella Marquez Zawadsky (now Mrs. Jorge Araneta) who represented Colombia in the inaugural pageant held in Long Beach, California in 1960 is the National Director of Bb Pilipinas Charities? 

Miss Philippines Sizzles in the Miss International Swimsuit Segment

Special awardees include New Zealand for Miss Friendship, Macau for Miss Internet, Aruba for Miss National Costume and Lithuania for Miss Photogenic.

Congratulations and Mabuhay Ka, Bea Rose Santiago! 

Ours would indeed be the merriest of Christmases. At least for avid Filipino pageant fans!

A victory parade awaits our latest darling in international pageantry 

Here's the Miss International journey of Bea Santiago in photos: 

\

OUR MISS INTERNATIONAL QUEENS:

1964: Gemma Cruz during her 
triumphant homecoming parade 

 1964 Gemma Cruz. The first Filipina to conquer the global pageant stage

 1970 Aurora Pijuan

 1979 Melanie Marquez

 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman

Photo Credits:

Miss International Org
Tony Paat