A beauty pageant in the Philippines can be compared to a major sporting event, let's say the Olympics. It has always been celebrated in every corner of the country, as reflected in countless minor pageant events from provincial levels to municipal levels and even in the streets of small barangays during fiesta, and within these olympics of beauty come different variations.
There are pageants for women (commonly called "Mutya", "Lakambini", or just "Miss") and for men (dubbed "Ginoo", "Lakan" or just "Mister"), for young teens for both men and women (mostly used the term "Mr. and Miss Teen"), and for the LGBTQ+ community (they go with titles like "Miss Gay", "Queen of...", and "Miss Gay Intergalaktik" for Drag Queens), to which all are equally acknowledged by Filipinos.
But enough of the minor pageants; major national pageants are the real deal.
Major national pageants are literally a major thing for Filipinos. Thankfully, each pageant event was handled by a well-established organization, which makes them even more prestigious (Mutya ng Pilipinas, Miss & Mister World Philippines, Miss Philippines Earth, Misters of Filipinas, and Miss International Queen Philippines, to name a few).
But on top of the major national pageants mentioned are the two of the hottest and most talked-aabout beauty events, mostly because of the titles at stake—none other than the Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Universe Philippines.
Once a binibini, always a binibini
With its almost 60 years of run, launched in 1964 and run by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. headed by Madame Stella Marquez Araneta (also the first ever Miss International winner), the Binibining Pilipinas Pageant is the oldest beauty pageant in the Philippines; hence the motto "Once a binibini, Always a binibini" was formed in commemoration of the pageant's legacy.
Binibining Pilipinas (BBP) has held all the major titles for a long time, which include: Miss International (Binibining Pilipinas International), Miss World (Binibining Pilipinas World), and Miss Universe (Binibining Pilipinas Universe, Miss Universe Philippines). This is the reason why BBP has been the most celebrated pageant for a long time.
But in 2011, as the organization found its new home and broadcast partner, ABS-CBN, the Miss World franchise left Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) and founded its sole pageant event, Miss World Philippines. In 2019, the last Miss Universe Philippines title under BPCI was given to Gazini Ganados before it was handed over to its new franchise holder, EMPIRE PH, headed by premier beauty maker Jonas Gafud.
BPCI produced four Miss Universe titleholders: Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018)—a nostalgia for Wurtzbach and Gray both crowned in December. Meanwhile, there is no Miss World titleholder produced under the BPCI. Megan Young won Miss World 2013 under the new management.
The Bb Pilipinas 2023 Pageant already held its pre-pageant activities, which started in February. The official date of the coronation night is May 28, 2023, which will be aired live from Araneta Collesium.
New and Fresh Management: MUPH in its new home
It was a tearful goodbye both from fans and the organization as Miss Universe Franchise left Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., its home for a long 55 years, and found a new management under EMPIRE Philippines, headed by Jonas Gafud.
Its inaugural edition happened in 2022, in the middle of a global pandemic. The first edition's production was experimental, considering the COVID-19 phenomenon, but still managed to be successful.
Fans argue that Bb Pilipinas will always have top-notch staging compared to its new management, clamoring that the franchise must go back to Bb Pilipinas. In fans dismay, the demand was not pursued, and as of now, the franchise has stayed under management and, in fact, will hold another edition.
During its fresh 3-year run, the new organization manages to continue the 12-year semi-final streak (Rabiya Mateo in 2020 and Beatrice Gomez in 2022). Unfortunately, the streak was broken last year as Celeste Cortesi failed to enter the semi-finals, ending a more-than-decade streak for the country.
Screening started in December 2022 and ended in mid-March 2023. Pre-pageant activities started afterwards. Coronation Night will be held on May 13 and will be aired live from MOA Arena. For more information, download the MUPH app via the Apple Store or Google Play.
Is Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Universe the same?
Aside from being close competitors for the top pageant in the country, BB Pilipinas and Miss Universe Philippines are totally different pageants.
The crowns at stake are different. MUPH titleholders will represent the country in the Miss Universe Pageant. Meanwhile, Bb Pilipinas has a lot of titles at stake, but the most prestigious title, Binibining Pilipinas International, will represent the country in the annual Miss International Pageant in Japan in the autumn.
On a serious note, are pageants still a platform for empowerment?
There are diverse opinions on this matter, but one thing is for sure: beauty pageants were made to celebrate femininity, confidence, and advocacy.
As the new owner of the MU Organization said, "It is an Olympics for beauty". meaning it's a platform not just for glitz and glam but also for intelligence and confidence. Winners were selected based on their overall performance, not just their face and body. They were also mentored as a group, too!
Where can I watch BBP and MUPH remotely?
Aside from staging an actual show in the heart of Manila, BBP and MUPH 2023 will also be streaming live through various digital platforms and from the comfort of your condo.
There is no official announcement yet, but both MUPH and BBP coronation nights will most likely have live streaming via their respective official YouTube pages.
Both also have their own apps (MUPh App and BBP App) where you can also vote for your favorite candidates. Other information about ticket sales, merchandise, and exclusive promos is also available within their app.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
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