Pageant veteran on postponement of Bb. Pilipinas: ‘Hurt, but life must go on!’
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Pageant veteran on postponement of Bb. Pilipinas: ‘Hurt, but life must go on!’
Mario Dumaual,
ABS-CBN News
Published May 26, 2020 12:10 PM PHT
MANILA — For weeks, the shelving of the Binibining Pilipinas 2020 due to the pandemic was whispered about in pageant circles.
MANILA — For weeks, the shelving of the Binibining Pilipinas 2020 due to the pandemic was whispered about in pageant circles.
Twice it was postponed. From the original April 26 date, the coronation was reset to May 31. But it was not to be. On Monday afternoon, Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. categorically announced the indefinite postponement of the holding of the 57th edition of the pageant. Though expected, the news still sent shock waves in the pageant community.
Twice it was postponed. From the original April 26 date, the coronation was reset to May 31. But it was not to be. On Monday afternoon, Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. categorically announced the indefinite postponement of the holding of the 57th edition of the pageant. Though expected, the news still sent shock waves in the pageant community.
“It’s really frustrating for us and our pageant supporters and fans. We all made sacrifices,” Samantha Bernardo, a pageant frontrunner, told ABS-CBN News.
“It’s really frustrating for us and our pageant supporters and fans. We all made sacrifices,” Samantha Bernardo, a pageant frontrunner, told ABS-CBN News.
Bernardo has invested her time with the Bb. Pilipinas the past two years as consecutive second runner-up during the reign of Bb. Pilipinas Universe Catriona Gray and Gazini Ganados.
Bernardo has invested her time with the Bb. Pilipinas the past two years as consecutive second runner-up during the reign of Bb. Pilipinas Universe Catriona Gray and Gazini Ganados.
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On her third try this year, Bernardo was hoping to clinch the Bb. Pilipinas International title.
On her third try this year, Bernardo was hoping to clinch the Bb. Pilipinas International title.
The postponements have also exacted a heavy financial toll on the 40 candidates, some of whom took a leave from their regular jobs .
The postponements have also exacted a heavy financial toll on the 40 candidates, some of whom took a leave from their regular jobs .
“I am focusing on myself now. Life must go on," added Bernardo who recently got her license as a life insurance agent. “It’s an opportunity for me to grow in this industry. If I depend on Binibini and modelling, walang mangyayari sa ‘kin!”
“I am focusing on myself now. Life must go on," added Bernardo who recently got her license as a life insurance agent. “It’s an opportunity for me to grow in this industry. If I depend on Binibini and modelling, walang mangyayari sa ‘kin!”
Bernardo also wants to take a pragmatic view of the downturn in pageants.
Bernardo also wants to take a pragmatic view of the downturn in pageants.
“It’s not socially responsible to have a pageant now. Even the Bb. Pilipinas is waiting for announcements or updates from international pageants. And we all have to consider restrictions in international travel,” she said.
“It’s not socially responsible to have a pageant now. Even the Bb. Pilipinas is waiting for announcements or updates from international pageants. And we all have to consider restrictions in international travel,” she said.
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Glitz and glamor aside, candidates are also lamenting the loss of a big platform to promote their advocacies. Bernardo campaigned for anti-malaria awareness and funding which received wide attention last year.
Glitz and glamor aside, candidates are also lamenting the loss of a big platform to promote their advocacies. Bernardo campaigned for anti-malaria awareness and funding which received wide attention last year.
Another candidate, food entrepreneur Faith Garcia, pursued her campaign to help dialysis patients in Olongapo through the pageant. Actress Vicki Rushton also pushed her concern for the plight of special children. While they will continue with their advocacies, they have lost ground to publicize their causes with the pageant's postponement.
Another candidate, food entrepreneur Faith Garcia, pursued her campaign to help dialysis patients in Olongapo through the pageant. Actress Vicki Rushton also pushed her concern for the plight of special children. While they will continue with their advocacies, they have lost ground to publicize their causes with the pageant's postponement.
The candidates can opt to honor their agreement with the pageant to hold on until December 2020.
The candidates can opt to honor their agreement with the pageant to hold on until December 2020.
"Balik pa rin ako, sayang kasi ang effort at gastos," said Garcia.
"Balik pa rin ako, sayang kasi ang effort at gastos," said Garcia.
Bb Pilipinas insiders also hope that they may work out another coronation date before the end of the year.
Bb Pilipinas insiders also hope that they may work out another coronation date before the end of the year.
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The next option is to hold the finals March 2021 with the same set of 40 candidates. But the question at the moment is will the ladies, given the changing priorities and choices in the time of the pandemic, still be around next year?
The next option is to hold the finals March 2021 with the same set of 40 candidates. But the question at the moment is will the ladies, given the changing priorities and choices in the time of the pandemic, still be around next year?
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