Queens set to conquer

By Miss Charlize - October 8, 2017

In Photo: Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Elizabeth Clenci (from left), Binibining Pilipinas International Mariel de Leon and Binibining Pilipinas Globe Nelda Ibe

WHILE the Miss Earth 2017 warriors are arriving in the country for the finals on November 4, and while former Miss Universe contestants (USA’s Nia Sanchez, Australia’s Tegan Martin and Renae Ayris) are traipsing in Palawan, three Binibining Pilipinas beauties were given a send-off to their respective international contests.

Tuesday afternoon at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center was gloomy but the three queens were sparkling with excitement. Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Elizabeth Clenci, now in Vietnam, will vie for her crown in Phu Quoc on October 25; Binibining Pilipinas Globe Nelda Ibe will compete in Tirana, Albania, on November 3; and Binibining Pilipinas International Maria Angelica de Leon will defend our title in Tokyo, Japan, on November 14.

• Queen Elizabeth. Elizabeth Durado Clenci, 26, 5 feet and 6 inches (1.68 meter), represented Mandaue at the Binibining Pilipinas finals. On her first attempt in 2011,

she represented Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, with her sister, the stunning Sarah Nicole Clenci, who was a finalist. Elizabeth won best in national costume wearing the creation of Jearson Demavivas, who also designed her T’boli tribute costume for Miss Grand.

She’s the third Elizabeth to be a Binibini after Elizabeth Berroya (Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1992) and Lizbeth de Padua (Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1976). But the most famous Binibining Pilipinas alumna of the same name was Elizabeth Winsett, first runner-up in 1966 who later became revered actress Liza Lorena.

At the send-off, I asked the Armi Barbara Crespo (Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1972) look-alike: The motto of MGI is “Stop the War”. Unfortunately, we are fighting two wars in our own country: the war on drugs and the war on terrorism in Marawi. When you win Miss Grand, how do you propose we win these wars?

“For me, peace is built on effective communication, understanding and equality. Those are the major things in achieving peace, not just in our nation but in the world. I think one of the biggest things that’s lacking is communication and understanding through communication. So that’s probably the biggest focus that I’m going to approach, [as well as] the psychology of the sufferers of war-torn areas. We’re not the only country experiencing war. It really does not stop,” the newly appointed National Peace Ambassadress under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said.

• Pilot Queen. Nelda Ibe, 23, 5 feet and 9 inches (1.75 meter), from Tarlac. The towering beauty’s calm, serene demeanor reminds me of Selina Manalad, Binibining Pilipinas Maja International 1991. Nelda is a trained pilot, just like Miss World Philippines 1991 and Miss Model of the World 1992 Gemith Gemparo, who flies for JetBlue Airways.

I pray that Nelda would apply the same kind of confidence when she flies a plane as she does when fielding questions. I asked her: What have you learned about Albania and what more can we learn about Miss Globe and its advocacy?

“Its advocacy is promoting culture and diversity. Basically, what I’ve learned is about their culture and the citizens are shy types. They don’t like to show or share the negative side of their country. As Miss Globe Philippines, I’m here to share my opinion and hopefully to share about my thoughts about their country,” she replied.

Nelda added: “Paolo Blanco is doing my evening gown. He also did my gown during the Binibining Pilipinas coronation night. For my [national costume], it will be Frederick Berches from Lumban, Laguna, which is known for its embroidery. So, I’ll be representing the Philippines in my sampaguita-inspired national costume.”

• Activist-Queen. Maria Angelica de Leon, 23, 5 feet and 8 inches (1.73 meter), from Las Piñas. Though born to showbiz royalty (parents are Sandy Andolong and Christopher de Leon, grandparents are Gil de Leon and Lilia Dizon), Mariel makes a name for herself through her strong social-media presence that she uses to voice her opinions on politics and body positivity.

She has the audacity of an activist, which reminds me of the bravery of past beauty queens Nelia Sancho (Queen of the Pacific 1971, First Runner-Up Binibining Pilipinas 1969, who joined the anti-Marcos underground movement, is a comfort women and antitrafficking of women advocate) and Maita Gomez (Miss Philippines World 1967, a founding member of women’s rights groups Gabriela, Selda and Womb).

My question for her goes: Miss International is the pageant where we are most successful at. Have you studied the pageants starting with Gemma Cruz up until Bea Rose Santiago (I should have said Kylie Verzosa), and what have you learned from their respective campaigns?

“I actually have a book made by a friend. It’s really special to me because it contains everything to know not only about Miss International but also Japan. We also have to realize that time goes by, people evolve, the organization evolves and women also evolve. This is 2017. Women are much stronger and we’re not afraid anymore, unlike before when the only role of a beauty queen was just to stand there and look pretty. If that was the case, we wouldn’t have to win anymore. I like how Q&A and speaking are more important nowadays. So that’s a different thing that I want to bring to Miss International: being more conscious about the world and what’s happening,” said Mariel, a Cary Santiago muse, adding, “I won’t say much [about my Tokyo wardrobe]. I guess you’ll know when I get there and check out my Instagram for the OOTDs.”

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