Boholana is Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental 2018!

Finally, after 12 long years, another Boholana won for Bohol its second Bb Pilipinas crown. Karen Juanita Boyonas Gallmann who traces her roots in Ubay was officially crowned as Bb Pilipinas- Intercontinental 2018 and will represent the country in the Miss Intercontinental pageant. 

Ms. Gallman was one of six Bb Pilipinas titleholders who were crowned in glittering ceremonies at the SMART Araneta Coliseum last weekend.

Forty beauties from all over the country competed during the pageant finals after hurdling the series of screenings. From the 40 candidates, 25 advanced to the swimsuit and evening gown rounds. 

The ladies were whittled further to the top fifteen who underwent the Q & A. A lengthy deliberation by the judges & the organizers then followed before the announcement of winners.

Ms. Gallman first competed in the 2012 edition of Bb Pilipinas where she was voted Miss Photogenic and selected as one of the Top Twelve finalists. This year, the 25 year old Business Arts major in Management degree holder from Griffiths University in Brisbane, Australia decided to give Bb Pilipinas another try. An analyst by profession, Ms. Gallman has to put on hold a job offer in London to fulfill her Bb Pilipinas duties and responsibilities.

Karen during the National Costume Show & the Parade of Beauties

Karen was born in Sept 27, 1992 in Ubay, Bohol to retired World War II German soldier Gavin William Gallman and to Editha Boyonas, a native from Bohol. She had her formative years in Bohol where she also had her primary school education. The family later migrated to Brisbane, Australia. 

Pegged by pageant websites and blogs as one of the frontrunners for one of the six crowns at stake, Karen gave a very polished presentation during the pageant night. Her stunning red sequined gown with the fit-and-flare silhouette was one of the sartorial standouts that evening and helped propel her into the final round.

Karen Juanita Boyonas Gallmann is Bb Pilipinas- InterContinental 2018

She gave pageant fans a momentary scare during the Q & A when she gave a tentative answer to the question from Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman “Do you agree that a third restroom should be built for transgenders? Why or why not?” 

Her answer: 

“I definitely agree there should be a third restroom for transgender because us women would like a privacy and also with men, and we have a separate room for the transgender. It just serves as an equality and privatization. Thank you.”

While I am in no position to cast judgment on her answer, Karen should be reminded that for a transgender to achieve equality, she should be given the chance to use the ladies’ restroom.

A friend remarked “Karen may have won a Binibini crown but she just lost favor with the LGBT community”

Hypocritical fans should understand that fluency with the English language is not an assurance that you can express your thoughts fluidly onstage. I believe it was a matter of sheer nerves that got to Ms. Gallmann especially in the make-or- break Q & A portion. 

The Boholana during the 2018 Bb Pilipinas pageant finals

Winning one of the six crowns in one competitive Binibini batch is a big cause for celebration. After the congratulatory hugs and kisses, Your Roving Eye is confident that Karen will buckle down to work and prove to one and all that she is one deserving winner.

Congratulations to the former Miss Ubay 2007 titleholder who is now a Bb Pilipinas queen!

Part 2: Bb Pilipinas Special Award Winners from Bohol

With the 55^th edition of Bb. Pilipinas taking place on March 18, Your Roving Eye will take you to a stroll down memory lane and give the spotlight again to the lovely Boholanas who won a special award or corporate sponsor award in the country's most prestigious beauty pageant.

Special awards are often the barometer used to determine who will most likely end up as the big winners at the conclusion of the coronation night. 

Corporate sponsor awards, on the other hand, indicate who made the best impression on the sponsors.

Here is the elite list of Boholanas who were special awards and corporate sponsor award recipients through the years: Only a handful of Boholanas have placed or made a mark in Bb. Pilipinas. In fact, only five of them have earned the distinction.

Here they are:

LUX LADIES

Three to five outstanding ladies who embody the qualities of Lux beauty soap are named as Lux Ladies during coronation night. More often than not, most if not all of the Lux Ladies end up as the big winners, runners up or finalists.

All five Lux Ladies made it to the Top 15 from a field of 37 beauties

In 1979, Peral Salig became the first of two Lux Ladies from Bohol. She was in good company. The others who made it as Lux Ladies were Criselda “Dang” Cecilio who was crowned Bb Pilipinas- Universe, Perla of course was 1^st Runner Up, Cathy Veloso was 2^nd Runner Up while Tina Orleans and Victoria Garcia made it as finalists.

Taina Manigque

In 1985, the Triumph Court of Fashion model Taina Manigque became the second Boholana to be selected as Lux Lady.

BEST IN EVENING GOWN

Anna Maris Igpit at 18 years old was the picture of elegance

In 2006, Anna Maris Arcay Igpit whose parents hail from Panglao, Bohol was proclaimed Best in Evening Gown. Three years of modeling and pageant experiences helped a lot in the very regal and elegant way that she showcased her evening and you cannot deny her stage presence and youthful charm during that particular segment.  

Candidate # 20 Anna Maris Igpit was a sight to behold in hewr swimsuit

Of course, the Best in Evening Gown award was just icing on the cake for she ended up with the Bb Pilipinas- World crown on her head at the conclusion of the pageant. 

2006 Bb Pilipinas Queens and Runners Up

Photo Credits: NJBP International

MISS TALENT

The first and only Boholana to be named Miss Talent in Bb Pilipinas is Richell Angalot. Her prior experience as 1^st Princess in GMA 7’s Starstruck reality talent search helped a lot as she oozed with confidence and charm during her talent presentation showcased weeks earlier before the pageant night. 

Richell Angalot is Miss Talent

Richell Angalot is Miss Araneta Center's Shoppers' Choice

Richell Angalot is also Miss Natasha Beauty

Aside from the Miss Talent special award, she was also the recipient of two corporate sponsor awards; Miss Natasha Beauty and Araneta Center's Shoppers' Choice.

2009 Bb Pilipinas Queens & Runners Up

Richell eventually finished as 1^st Runner Up.  

MISS PHOTOGENIC

will Karen Gallmann set another record for a second Miss Photogenic title on March 18?

Karen Gallman whose mom hails from Ubay, Bohol is the first and only Boholana to be voted as Miss Photogenic by the mediamen and press photographers who covered the event. Ms. Gallman won the Miss Photogenic title during her first attempt at Bb Pilipinas back in 2012.

Watch for the following BbPilipinas 2018 TV Specials, ABS CBN Channel 2:

Bb Pilipinas 2018 Primer            Sunday, March 11, 9 PM

Bb Pilipinas Pageant Night       Sunday, March 18, 9 PM

Part I: Boholanas Who Made a Mark in Bb Pilipinas

With the 55^th edition of Bb. Pilipinas taking place on March 18, Your Roving Eye will take you to a stroll down memory lane and give the spotlight again to the lovely Boholanas who made a mark in the country's most prestigious beauty pageant either as winner, runner up or finalist.   

Only a handful of Boholanas have placed or made a mark in Bb. Pilipinas. In fact, only seven of them have earned the distinction.

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN ARE:

THE TITLEHOLDER:

2006 Bb Pilipinas- World: Anna Maris Igpit  

2006 Anna Maris Igpit of Panglao is the first and only Boholana to have won a Bb. Pilipinas crown. She was named the country’s bet to Miss World 2006 held in Warsaw, Poland. 

She made it as Beach Beauty finalist and was voted by readers of Poland’s biggest newspaper as one of the Five Most Beautiful Miss World 2006 Candidates.

THE RUNNERS UP:

1979 Bb Pilipinas 1st Runner Up

1979 was the year that a Boholana finally made it to the winners’ circle. The beautiful Perla Fernando Salig of Loboc was named 1^st Runner Up.  Perla competed in Bb. Pilipinas after she was crowned as Queen of Circulo Boholano de Cebu, the biggest and oldest Cebu- based association of Boholanos.  

Almost immediately upon arrival in Manila, she caught the eye of the organizers and the press for her natural beauty, charming personality and unaffected manners.

The Boholana’s achievement was truly remarkable because it was rare for girls from the provinces to get noticed in the national competition. She made it on her own with no connections whatsoever.

2009 Bb Pilipinas 1^st Runner Up: Richelle Angalot  

2009. Twenty years after Perla’s 1^st RU placement, another Boholana achieved the same placement. Richelle Angalot , a GMA 7 contract star who goes by the screen name Rich Asuncion became the third Boholana  to make it in the winners’ circle after she was named 1^st Runner Up to Bianca Manalo.

Ms. Angalot already had a name in showbiz after being proclaimed in the GMA 7 reality talent search Starstruck when she competed in Bb. Pilipinas 2009.

THE FINALISTS: 

 Emma in Binibini//Emma with classmates during the 2012 BPHSN INTL.REUNION DAY

1968. Exactly 50 years ago, Emma Mumar made pageant history as the first Boholana to earn a placement as a Bb. Pilipinas Top 15 Finalist. 

1968 Bb Pilipinas Poolside Press Presentation

Photo Credits: Tony Paat

1968  Bb Pilipinas Top Fifteen

Photo Credits: Tony Paat

1968 Bb Pilipinas Board of Judges that included actress Susan Roces
Photo Credits: Tony Paat

1982 Rowena Burden, ,a brainy & beautiful doctor whose mom traces her roots in Bohol made it as Top 15 Semi- finalist in 1982.  Her batch included the controversial Maria Isabel Lopez who was crowned Bb. Universe and 1st RU Desiree Verdadero.

1982 Bb Pilipinas Top 15

With her stunning looks and gift of gab, Ms Burden impressed a lot of pageant watchers and organizers.

Right after the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant, Rowena was approached by Madame Stella Araneta and was requested to acquire some training and come back the following year. She declined saying she wanted to pursue her medical degree and she joined mainly for the experience.

The 1st RU Desiree Verdadero heeded Madame's advice, rejoined the pageant two years later, won the Bb. Universe crown and went on to place as 3rd RU in the 1984 Miss Universe Pageant.

TRIVIA: There was an uproar in Cebu where she was based that time when she represented Bohol instead of Cebu in Bb Pilipinas 1982.

1985. Tall and gorgeous Taina Manigque was already a top model in the country and a member of the prestigious Triumph Court of Fashion when she joined Bb. Pilipinas. She made it as Top 15 Semi- finalist. Taina comes from a family of beauty queens.

1985 Bb Pilipinas Top 15 Finalist

TRIVIA: Cita Capuyon and Desiree Verdadero, Bb. Pilipinas- Universe winners for 1983 and 1984, respectively, were both Triumph Court of Fashion members.

Her younger sister MariJo was named one of Tagbilaran's Five Prettiest in 1985 and her niece Margo Manigque was crowned Miss Tagbilaran 2006

2012 Bb Pilipinas Top 12 Finalist

2012. Karen Gallmann of Ubay who competed in the pageant’s 2012 edition made it as a Top Twelve Finalist.

Six years after her first attempt at Bb. Pilipinas,  Karen is back and has been picked by most pageant experts and websites as one of the most likely to win one of the crowns this year. If that happens, she will be the second Boholana to be crowned a Bb Pilipinas queen.

Watch the 55^th edition of the Bb Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night happening on Saturday, March 18, SMART Araneta Coliseum, 8 pm with delayed telecast over ABS CBN 2 on the same day.

Boholana Beauty in Bb Pilipinas 2018

Karen Boyonas Gallman 

Karen Boyonas Gallmann of Ubay  who traces her roots in Ubay, Bohol is one of the official candidates for Bb Pilipinas 2018. 

She first competed in Bb. Pilipinas back in 2012 where she made it as one of the Top Twelve Finalists and was selected by press photographers as Miss Photogenic.

Karen was born in Sept 27, 1992 in Ubay, Bohol to retired World War II German soldier Gavin William Gallman and a native from Bohol Editha Boyonas. 

She was raised in Brisbane, Australia. She has degree in Business Arts major in Management at the Griffiths University in Brisbane, Australia.

Karen Boyonas Gallman: Will she be the second Boholana to win a Bb Pilipinas crown?

Six years after her first attempt at Bb. Pilipinas,  Karen is back and has been picked by most pageant experts and websites as one of the most likely to win one of the crowns this year. If that happens, she will be the second Boholana to be crowned a Bb Pilipinas queen.

Watch the 55^th edition of Bb Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night, 7 pm, SMART Araneta Coliseum. Delayed telecast at ABS CBN Channel 2