Pre-Pageant Night Review

For the first time in the history of the Binibining Pilipinas Pageant, a new format was created in determining the semifinalists which will be announced on the coronation night.

In a change to break tradition, BPCI, along with GMA Network produced a pre-pageant night that was filmed last February 26 and televised February 28. The goal of the pre-pageant night was for a separate panel of judges choose the semifinalists from the official candidates as they compete in swimsuits, evening gowns and interview.

This move has long been overdue since many belive that it should have been implemented years ago to keep up with the changing times in the pageant world. In previous years, a pre-judging session was held at closed doors to determine the semifinalists. Usually, the judges in the panel are the same judges come finals night. This year, it was different.

Was this a move to make the Binibining Pilipinas Pageant more transparent to avoid "questions" in the future? One may still remember the shock that stunned the public when Janina San Miguel won in 2008 after what the crowd claimed that she crashed in her final interview. At least now, there's that hope that only the deserving candidates will make the cut and move on to the finals.

Make us come early, but start it out late

While there are lots of positive feedback on the pre-pageant night (which I will discuss in this review), there are some gaffes that would still need to be addressed. This review is written according to the sequence of events.

There were invitations given out  for people to join the audience for the live taping. What was disappointing (and we gave heard the audience mumble as they walked) was the fact that the invitations said that the show starts as 7 pm. However, the people were let in the studio around 15 minutes to 20 minutes past 7 pm. The show started a little over 8 pm. There were some talks that we heard prior to the start that since Mike Enriquez was judging, everyone would need to wait until he finishes his his news program since he would have to rush to the pageant. If everyone knew that this will happen (since his program finishes at times past 7 pm), why write the time on the invitations? BPCI of course, cannot be blamed because that was out of their hands and it was a GMA thing.

Finally, a Runway!

With the international pageants becoming more of a fast paced, modeling competition, it was a joy for me to see that the stage has a runway! Finally, Bb. Pilipinas is becoming fierce! This was something that pageant afficionados and experts have been waiting for. Let the candidates really strut their stuff because ultimately, our representatives in Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International would do the same. Binibining Pilipinas is really breaking out of its shell from the bubble that was outdated, to something that is more modern. Kudos to BPCI for making this beautiful change.

Best In Philippine Terno Judging

I like the whole Idea of having a Best in Philippine Terno award handed out. Did Binibining Pilipinas do this in 1998 when the theme of the pageant was on the centennial of the country? Anyway, it was a showcase of Philippine fashion and I must say, some of the costumes were even better than the ones our previous queens have donned in either Miss Universe or Miss International.

The judging was done prior to the start of the show. It was done in front of the live audience. Standouts were 10-Venus Raj, 11-Krista Kleiner, 4-Selena Antonio, 13-Gwen Ruais, and 22-Diane Necio. Also notable performances in their Ternos were 16-Toni Hipolito, 6-Patricia Ejercitado, and 1-Mariella Castillo.

In the end, when it was time to award the prize, the lovely and deserving Venus Raj emerged the best. And why not? Even if her Alex Alvarez Terno was simple (a white number with floral accents and fringes--the silhouette and the fringe is similar to Sandra Seifert's silver Frederick Peralta Terno at the Miss Philippines Earth Pageant in 2009), it was a gorgeous contrast to Venus' dark complexion. As her name suggests, Venus was a goddess in that costume. Add the fact that Venus has excellent stage presence and catwalk skills...perfect.

Opening Number

The opening number had the girls parade in front of the crowd in their Ternos to the tune of I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas. Now, don't get me wrong, but I love that song. But isn't it a tad too much to use the song for this? They (whoever is in charge of choreography and musical scoring) could have used an fast-paced OPM song for this one since the girls were wearing Ternos.

An argument can be made that the song was used at the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant's opening number. Well, that's precisely it. It was used there and a remixed version was used while the semifinalists were being called during the 2009 Miss Earth Pageant. Don't you all think that using the same song in the Binibining Pilipinas Pre-Pageant seem a little too copycat-ish? I honestly think that the opening number could've been better. But nonetheless, it was refreshing to see the candidates in their costumes gracefully like true Filipinas to a song that is so modern.

Nothing But Swimsuits...

The swimsuit competition offered the audience exactly what it should offer--energetic performances by the candidates. They were so fierce. As a whole, the candidates had bodies to die for and were fit enough for their sexy dark silver swimsuits. This is how swimsuit competitions should be. Not like the old school video shot of the candidates with cheesy music. This year, everything was lively.

I also thought that having the girls pose in a more modern way during the swimsuit round was sublime. Gone are the pageant patty poses. They were fierce and it was a glimpse of what they could do once they go global. Their poses were straight off the Miss Universe pageant. Very forward. Love it.

Those who made a splash walking in their swimsuits were Venus Raj (10), Diane Necio (22), Patricia Ejercitado (6), Gwen Ruais (13), Krista Kleiner (11), Selena Antonio (4), Mariella Castillo (1), Anna Marie Morelos (8), Toni Hipolito (16), and Czarina Gatbonton (21). Notable performances by Reina Maerina (12), Ross Misa (14), Helen Nicolette Henson (18) and Kate Princess Alimurong (19).

Evening Gown Competition

As in previous years, Cumbia provided the gowns for this year's pageant. What was noticeable was the fact that some gowns look somewhat outdated and recycled. I apologize for making such comment but in honesty, there were gowns that I have seen before either worn during the fashion show by other candidates, or worn by previous candidates and winners. Selena Antonio was wearing the gown that Anna Maris Igpit wore in one of the activities in Miss World 2006. There was a candidate who was wearing Rich Angalot's gown in 2009.

I would have wished that Bb. Pilipinas reopens their doors to the designers to create gowns for the candidate like what they did for the Terno competition. That would make Binibining Pilipinas truly a celebration of beauty and fashion of the Philippines. It would take Binibining Pilipinas back to its heyday when every designer would like to create masterpieces for the candidates.

This year, I must say that even with Cumbia, the candidates were able to rock the runway in their frocks. It's a bit confusing though because some dresses look more like beaded maxi dresses rather than a gown. Nonetheless, the candidates were able to give justice to the dresses. This year, they were all clad in either red or pink.

Those who stood out were Venus Raj (10), Gwen Ruais (13), Krista Kleiner (11), Diane Necio (22), Selena Antonio (4).

Were there three hosts or two?

This is something that I noticed during the show. In the beginning three hosts were introduced--Drew Arellano, Rhian Ramos, and Jay-R. The thing is, only Drew and Rhian were hosting and Jay-R just showed himself again during his special number with AJ Tabaldo and Kris Lawrence (their mash-up was perfect). I guess the writers forgot to give Jay-R a segment to host. Drew and Rhian were a joy to watch. It was a fresh change from the usual Paolo Bediones who as already switched network.

All in all, the pre-pageant was a success. There were hits and misses, but over-all something worth doing again in 2011.

Congratulations to the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. for staging this wonderful pageant.