Abra’s Myrna Esguerra, Pampanga’s Jasmin Bungay crowned in Bb. Pilipinas 2024 pageant

BEAUTY queens and pageant enthusiasts gathered at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, July 7, to witness the coronation of two new Binibining Pilipinas queens: Abra’s Myrna Esguerra as Binibining Pilipinas International 2024 and Pampanga’s Jasmin Bungay as Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2024.

Esguerra and Bungay were crowned during the pageant’s 60th coronation night, graced by previous Binibining Pilipinas queens including the four Miss Universe titleholders–Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018).

The first-time delegate from Abra bested 39 other hopefuls in the competition, succeeding Binibining Pilipinas International 2023 Angelica Lopez. She will represent the Philippines at the Miss International 2025 pageant, as Lopez is set to compete for its 2024 edition in Tokyo, Japan in November.

During the question-and-answer segment, the Top 15 candidates were asked various questions from an all-woman panel of judges, including pressing matters like the West Philippine Sea dispute and the SOGIE bill that remains pending at the Philippine Congress.

Esguerra picked Moran who asked her the question: “If a time machine brings you back to 1964, 60 years ago when Binibining Pilipinas began, what message would you tell the Filipino women of that time about the women of 2024?”

In answering the question, the 22-year-old beauty queen promoted women empowerment.

“I will tell the women of the past that we have achieved our goal, which is to empower women. Standing here, at the age of 17, I started to finance my own studies and help my family financially. I was able to do this by all those women who paved the way to empower us to always reach for our goals no matter what it is,” she emphasized. “Because in life, we can always achieve our dreams, as long as we believe that we can.  And thanks to them all. Thank you.”

Esguerra also took home five special awards including Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, and Best in National Costume.

Meanwhile, Bungay succeeded Anna Lakrini, who was crowned second runner-up in the Miss Globe 2023 pageant.

Esguerra and Bungay wore the two new crowns made by jeweler Manny Halasan, which featured ethical diamonds and inspired by the iconic Binibining Pilipinas logo.

Zambales’ Christal Dela Cruz and Pila, Laguna’s Trisha Martinez were named first and second runner-ups, respectively.

Pageant highlights

The coronation night kicked off with a performance from Original Pinoy Music (OPM) icon Martin Nievera, who serenaded the crowd with his classic rendition of “Win Your Heart.” He was joined on stage by former beauty queens who dazzled in their colorful evening gowns.

A throwback video was shown on screen, revisiting the first Binibining Pilipinas pageant initially scheduled for July 3, 1964. However, Typhoon Dading struck the Philippines on that day, postponing the first edition to July 5, 1964. It was Myrna Panlilio who clinched the first  Binibining Pilipinas crown.

The crowd cheered as soon as P-pop kings SB19–composed of Pablo, Stell, Josh, Ken, and Justin–entered the stage to perform its modern rendition of “Win Your Heart.”

The country’s “Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano hyped the audience with his performance, as previous international pageant titleholders strutted the runway. They were Miss Supranational 2013 Mutya Datul, Miss Intercontinental 2021 Cinderella Obeñita, Miss International 1970 Aurora Pijuan, Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago, Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza, Diaz, Wurtzbach, Gray, and Moran.

Screams erupted in the venue when Gray did her iconic slow-mo turn. Many netizens were also elated on social media when the Miss Universe 2018 titleholder took the spotlight.

The “diamond” batch of beauties then showed up in sparkly dresses and danced to Rihanna’s “Shine Bright Like a Diamond.”

Singer-songwriters TJ Monterde and Maki also performed at the coronation night.

The event was hosted by Gray, Versoza, Miss International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves, and Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa.