Head-turners back in the Binibining Pilipinas contest

Janine Tugonon. Romy Homillada

Shamcey Supsup placed fourth in the Miss Universe pageant last year, following Venus Raj’s fifth-place finish in 2010. Perhaps believing in the adage “third time lucky,” many former Binibining Pilipinas candidates—including last year’s runners-up—have returned in the hope of bagging the coveted international crown for the Philippines while the country is on a hot streak.

Mary Jean Lastimosa and Janine Tugonon, Bb. Pilipinas 2011 second and first runners-up respectively, rescinded their places in order to rejoin the competition this year.

But their move was not unprecedented. It came on the heels of Dianne Necio’s withdrawal. Necio was first runner-up in 2010, but resigned so she could participate in 2011.

She was successful and bagged the Bb. Pilipinas-International crown at the age of 18. She competed in the Miss International pageant in China and was proclaimed Miss Internet Popularity for garnering the most number of votes online. Her special award also secured her a place in the semifinals.

The runners-up, like the titleholders, are bound by an 18-month contract with the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI). If a runner-up decides to rejoin the pageant the following year, she must give up her place in last year’s contest.