Australia-raised forensics graduate wins Bb. Pilipinas International
The 25-year-old Hannah Consencino Arnold acknowledged freedom of speech as key to a democracy — citing Twitter as a powerful tool that is helping her decide who to vote for in the 2022 elections
Citing freedom of speech as key to a democracy, Filipino-Australian model Hannah Consencino Arnold went on to win the 2021 Binibining Pilipinas International title held 11 June at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The program had 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray and 2016 Miss Grand International 1st runner-up Nicole Cordoves as hosts.
The 25-year-old Arnold — who was among the top 15 semifinalists in the pageant’s 2020 edition — will now represent the country at the Miss International to be held in November in Yokohama, Japan.
She will aim to bag the seventh Miss International title for the Philippines.
Born in Balud, Masbate, to a Filipino mother and Australian-Irish father, Arnold grew up in Canberra, Australia, where she earned a degree in Applied Science in Forensic Studies from the University of Canberra before returning to the Philippines.
Samantha Alexandra Panlilio, a business consultant and vlogger from Cavite, won Binibining Pilipinas Grand International.
During the crucial Q&A segment, she was asked, “Given the reach and power of social media, do you believe that genuine freedom of speech exists in the Philippines nowadays?”
Arnold answered: “First of all, freedom of speech is a basic human right that we all must remember. It is important for a democracy. With our upcoming election, we definitely need freedom of speech. For example, on Twitter, we are limited to a few characters, and what I have seen in these Tweets is powerful. That has helped me think about who I’d like to vote for in the upcoming elections.”
Other winners
Samantha Alexandra Panlilio, a business consultant and vlogger from Cavite, won Binibining Pilipinas Grand International.
At age 25, she said her life-changing experience during the pandemic was cooking for front-liners.
Cinderella Faye Obeñita, a tourism officer and press freedom advocate from Misamis Oriental, was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental.
She said she wants to embrace the concept of the new beautiful that is responsive to the needs of the times, especially during the pandemic and while the economy is struggling to survive.
Obeñita, 25, clinched the wild card spot in the semifinals after getting the highest number of online votes.
Cinderella Faye Obeñita, a tourism officer and press freedom advocate from Misamis Oriental, was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental.
Maureen Montagne, a 26-year old Filipino-American model and event host from Batangas, was named Binibining Pilipinas Globe.
Prior to joining the competition, Montagne, an HIV-AIDS awareness advocate, was Mutya ng Pilipinas 2013 (1st runner-up), Miss USA 2015 (top 15) and Miss World America 2017 (1st runner-up), and Miss Eco-International 2019 (1st runner-up).
The 10 best national costumes were revealed prior to coronation night, and the winner announced at the live telecast.
The winner, Ma. Ruth Erika Quin, a 26-year old veterinary doctor from Nueva Ecija, wore a costume adorned with beads resembling grains — in homage to her hometown as Rice Granary of the Philippines.
The pageant’s finals night was the first live presentation with no delay in Binibining Pilipinas history, and the first withall-female hosts.
Gray and Cordoves were a trending topic on social media when Gray mistakenly said, “Venezuela” instead of “Valenzuela.”
Fans were also quick to notice when Cordoves flipped her hair before introducing the judges — recalling an incident on 20 January when CNN Philippines anchor Pinky Webb (incidentally one of the pageant judges) flipped her hair in exasperation during a heated interview with presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.