After months training and competing for the most coveted beauty titles in the land, a new set of queens have been crowned as the winners of Bb. Pilipinas 2017, led by Miss Universe Philippines Rachel Peters.
Joining Rachel in her court are Binibining Pilipinas International 2017 Mariel de Leon,
Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017 Katarina Rodriguez,Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2017 Nelda Ibe, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2017 Elizabeth Durado Clenci and BBinibining Pilipinas Supranational 2017 Chanel Olive Thomas.
Charmaine Elima and Kristel Guelos won 1st and 2nd Runner-up, respectively.
Aside from winning the Miss Universe Philippines 2017 title, Rachel also bagged the Miss Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit and She’s So Jag awards.
The British-Filipina’s multi-faceted victory was far from unexpected, as she was already one of the favorites of pageant critics early into the competition. While it was Rachel’s first time to join Binibining Pilipinas, she had previously won 4th Princess in Miss World 2014.
Rachel has been lauded by critics for her stunning beauty, regal aura and perfect physique, qualities which have certainly contributed to her sweeping quite a few special awards. There was more that met the eye with Rachel, however, and this was what led her to emerge victorious over 39 other candidates.
At the beginning of the program for the Bb. Pilipinas Coronation Night on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum, host and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach shared that certain alterations had been made to this year’s competition, and the candidates’ communication skills would play an important role.
Co-hosting with Pia were Xian Lim and Ms. Universe 200 4th Runner-up winner Venus Raj.
This year’s Binibing Pilipinas was more rigid and demanding, as organizers were looking for the “complete Binibini,” which Pia described as someone who, aside from having the face, body and grace of a beauty queen, was also someone who had the confidence and capacity to speak her mind.
Someone, perhaps, who could hold her ground in the question and answer portion—something last year’s top winner, Maxine Medina, couldn’t sustain in the Miss Universe 2016 pageant.
Rachel, on the other hand, seemed fully capable of filling in the highlighted requirement. At the Q&A portion that evening, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen asked Rachel, “This week, the Philippines hosted the ASEAN (Assocation of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit. If you were invited to speak, what would have been your message to the leaders?”
Without so much as an ounce of hesitation, Rachel delivered her response, which amassed thunderous applause from the crowd and cemented her place as Miss Universe Philippines 2017.
“I believe that one of the biggest problems that our country faces today is divisiveness – in politics, in religion, and also in culture. And I believe that it’s something that is the same across the world.
“And so that is something I would want to address. I believe that when people can learn to tolerate each other’s differences and respect each other’s opinions, then we will be a stronger nation and world.”
Rachel was crowned by Maxine Medina who gave her final walk that evening as Miss Universe Philippines 2016, while her farewell speech was being played. Last year’s other winners, Miss International Kylie Versoza, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Joanna Eden, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Jennifer Hammond,Binibining Pilipinas Globe Nichole Manalo and Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Nicole Cordoves also had their ceremonial last walk.
Rachel will be our country’s representative in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. Below is the complete list of winners, special awardees and top candidates:
Miss Universe Philippines 2017- #19 Rachel Peters
Bb Pilipinas International 2017- #15 Mariel de Leon
Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017- #31 Katarina Rodriguez
Bb Pilipinas Globe 2017- #18 Nelda Ibe
Bb Pilipinas Grand International 2017- #39 Elizabeth Durado Clenci
Bb Pilipinas Supranational 2017- #22 Chanel Olive Thomas
1st runner-up – #32 Charmaine Elima
2nd runner-up – #40 Kristel Guelos
Special Awards:
Miss Photogenic: #19 Rachel Peters
She’s So Jag: #19 Rachel Peters
Best in Swimsuit: #19 Rachel Peters
Best in Evening Gown: #15 Mariel de Leon
Miss Creamsilk: #15 Mariel de Leon
Miss Philippine Airlines: #31 Katarina Rodriguez
Miss Friendship: #22 Chanel Olive Thomas
Best in National Costume: #22 Chanel Olive Thomas
Best in Talent: #1 Dane Felisse Marasigan
Miss Manila Bulletin: #20 Christagale Borja