‘Welcome to the sisterhood’: Former queens congratulate Binibining Pilipinas 2021 winners
Former beauty queens welcomed to the sisterhood the newly crowned Binibining Pilipinas winners, who are set to represent the country on the international pageant stage.
On Sunday, July 11, the Araneta Coliseum came alive once again for the long-awaited staging of Binibining Pilipinas 2020/2021.
The pageant, which saw 34 candidates vying for the much-coveted crowns, has named its new queens—Binibining Pilipinas International Hannah Arnold of Masbate, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Panlilio of Cavite, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Cinderella Obeñita of Cagayan de Oro, and Binibining Pilipinas Globe Maureen Ann Montagne of Batangas.
Together with pageant aficionados who have been waiting in anticipation for over a year for this year's edition of the pageant, former Binibining Pilipinas titleholders were all over social media to congratulate the newly crowned queens.
Along with their congratulations, some of the former queens welcomed the new set of winners to the “sisterhood.” They also reminisced about their own time in Binibining Pilipinas through the hashtag #OnceABinibiniAlwaysABinibini.
Former Miss Universe Philippines titleholders were in full support of the ladies. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who was one of the evening’s emcees, posted on Instagram her congratulations to the new batch of queens.
“A huge congratulations is in order for our new Binibining Pilipinas queens. So excited to witness your journeys!” Catriona wrote.
Miss Universe Philippines title holders including Gazini Ganados (2019), Rachel Peters (2017), Maxine Medina (2016), MJ Lastimosa (2014) and Ariella Arida (2013) also sent their congratulations on social media.
(Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. by the Araneta Group helmed Miss Universe Philippines for 50 years, which produced the country’s four Miss Universe titleholders Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran Floirendo (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and Catriona Gray (2018). In 2020, the Miss Universe Philippines Organization, led by Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup Lee, took the reins of the said pageant.)
Samantha Bernardo, fresh from her first runner-up placing at Miss Grand International 2020, congratulated her successor, Samantha Panlililo on her win. “Congratulations, babe @samanthapanlilio. Gurrl you killed it! Can’t wait to witness and support your journey!”
Miss International 2018 first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo, who is rumored to be part of the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 roster, welcomed Hannah Arnold to the Miss International family.
Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, who was present at the Binibining Pilipinas 2020/2021 coronation night at the Araneta Coliseum, was also among those who sent her congratulations.
In an Instagram post, Miss Supranational 2013 Mutya Datul penned a message for the winners.
“Remember that the crown is what people see to tell that you are a queen but it is the good deed of the heart and compassionate purpose that will make you fulfill your duties,” Mutya wrote.
She also reminded them of what’s ahead as they are about to represent the country on the global pageant stage.
“You are one step closer to bringing greater success for our country as you wear the Philippine sash on the international stage. My experience towards achieving the first Miss Supranational for our country was not a walk in the park. A lot of hard work and determination paved by way towards the crown,” Mutya added. She signed off her message with “Once a Binibini, always a Binibini.”
Meanwhile, Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa posted her message on Instagram Stories for the new queens. She said she was multitasking—working out, hunting for coffee, and watching the Binibining Pilipinas pageant—while walking on the streets of New York.
“Congratulations, Hannah (Arnold), our new Binibining Pilipinas International and to all the Binibining Pilipinas queens,” said MJ, who posted in another Stories that she is with Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up Janine Tugonon.
MJ also reposted in her Stories a photo from a fan who edited Hannah’s photo holding a bouquet—an upside-down photo of MJ in her controversial 2014 Miss Universe national costume made by Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza. MJ captioned it “National bouquet.”
Check out more queens who welcomed the new Binibining Pilipinas winners to their sisterhood below:
Banner and thumbnail photo from Binibining Pilipinas Facebook page