Sunday, Apr 14, 2013
Dubai: Laguna-native Ariella Arida bested 49 other contestants to win the Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) Universe crown on Sunday night in a star studded golden-anniversary celebration held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.
Judges named Bea Rose Santiago as Binibining Pilipinas International, with Pia Wurtzbach as first runner-up and Mutya Johanna Datul as Binibining Pilipinas Supranational. Joanna Cindy Miranda bagged the title Binibining Pilipinas Tourism. The Binibining Pilipinas selects the Philippine representatives to the Miss Universe and Miss International beauty pageants.
It was a big disappointment, however, for the Dubai fans of Parul Shah, one of the 50 candidates of the prestigious beauty pageant.
Parul Shah, the daughter of an Indian driver and a Filipina cleaner in Dubai, was considered one of the favourites to bag the crown.
With her mum cheering on at the packed venue, Shah was on the brink of realising a childhood dream to win the prestigious beauty pageant. Nonetheless, her performance at the competition, where she was considered one of the favourites, is a huge step forward towards helping her family have a better life.
Milestone
Shah, however, made it among the top 15 finalists. Contestants who also made it to the finals are: Imelda Schweighart, Mutya Johanna Datul, Grace Yann Apuad, Charmaine Elima, Rhea Nakpil, Amanda Navasero, Ellore Punzalan, Bea Rose Santiago, Joana Cindy Miranda, Camille Nazar, Mariel de Leon, Merry Joyce Respicio and Pia Wurtzbach.
At the Q&A, pageant judge Liliana Zawadski asked Shah: “What would you tell a child who is being bullied in school?”
The 24-year-old answered: “Never look down, even if he is being stepped on. Respect for oneself will eradicate people who bully children.”
Shah was sent to the Philippines in 2006 to pursue a college degree. She duly completed her nursing studies last year and, being named as one of the candidates of the Binibining Pilipinas, has achieved another important milestone in her life.
Shah credits the values instilled in her by her father Pramod Kumar Ramniklal and mother Luzie as core foundations towards achieving her goals in life. Shah was reunited with her mother last Saturday, a day before the coronation night, after four years. The family’s meagre finances prevented her parents from visiting her in the Philippines even during her graduation in 2012. It was Maggie Wilson, a former Binibining Pilipinas titlist and Shah’s mentor, who arranged for her mother to fly to Manila and watch her daughter during the big show.
Past titleholders
The Binibining Pilipinas has produced two Miss Universe winners: Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margarita Moran-Floirendo in 1973. It has also produced three Miss International winners: Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979, and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005. Gemma Cruz, who won the Philippines’ first Miss International title in 1964, was a product of the Miss Philippines pageant, the predecessor of the Binibining Pilipinas.
The current titleholder of the Binibining Pilipinas (2012 Miss Universe Philippines) is Janine Marie Tugonon. Other well-known Binibining Pilipinas winners are Pilar Pilapil (1967), Chat Silayan (1980), Maria Isabel Lopez (1982), Sara Jane Paez (1989), Anjanette Abayari (1991), Dindi Gallardo (1993), Charlene Gonzales (1994), Abbygale Arenas (1997), Miriam Quiambao (1999), Nina Ricci Alagao (2000), Bianca Manalo (2009), Venus Raj (2010) and Shamcey Supsup (2011).
The second and third runners-up of the Binibining Pilipinas will also represent the country in minor global pageants, which are the Miss Supranational and Miss Tourism Queen International, respectively.
By Irish Eden Belleza Videographer
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
