This year, the Binibining Pilipinas pageant began a series of public events by bringing together the 2024 contestants, the reigning queens, and even past titleholders for a fashion display that celebrated sustainability and Filipino style.
The 40 contestants for "Reinvent: A Sustainable Fashion Show," which was overseen by Bb. Pilipinas resident stylist Patrick Henry Mergano, strutted the catwalk on May 16 at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City, Quezon City, wearing ensembles composed of recyclable and repurposed materials, reported Inquirer Entertainment.
At the event, ten designers displayed their works that were made with fabrics that were gathered from their individual workrooms and would have otherwise ended up in landfills. Old pieces of theirs also found new life when they were repurposed into new pieces. Some even turned items from "ukay-ukay" (used stores) into sophisticated fashion pieces.
The ensemble that walked for designer Adam Balasa included reigning Bb. Pilipinas International Angelica Lopez, while Bb. Pilipinas Globe and 2023 Russ Cuevas closed the section with Anna Lakrini, the second runner-up in Miss Globe.
First runner-up Meanwhile, Katrina Anne Johnson and Atasha Reign Parani, the second runner-up, joined the women who walked for Kutur ni Jean designers Don Cristobal and Jean Alta, respectively.
Their immediate forerunners, Nicole Borromeo, the third runner-up in 2023 Miss International, spearheaded the group's reappearance as Bb. Pilipinas, wearing designer Uly Marquez's clothing.
The women who displayed the works of James O'Briant and Rannel Espaldon, respectively, were joined by former Miss Philippines Globe Chelsea Fernandez and former Miss Philippines Intercontinental Gabrielle Basiano. 2022 Miss Grand International fifth runner-up Roberta Tamondong walked alongside the contenders for designer Doms Abustan.
The 2022 Miss International semifinalist Hannah Arnold closed the show for designer Mark Combe, while former Miss Globe Maureen Montagne served as the program's final model wearing an Allan Laserna creation. The 2021 Bb. Pilipinas queens also walked to the runway.
The first Bb. Pilipinas competition was held in 1964, and this year's national pageant commemorates 60 years of that history. The competition in 2024 will commemorate its half-century of supporting Filipino women worldwide and making the Philippines a major player in international pageants.
The victors of this year's contest will go on to represent the Philippines in 2024 The Miss Globe and the 62nd Miss International pageant the following year./BGNES