2nd runner-up winner is also from Eastern Samar

REGION’S PRIDE. The runner-ups in this year’s 57th Binibining Pilipinas were both from Eastern Samar. The first runner-up, Gabrielle Basiano, is from Borongan City while the mother of second runner-up Meiji Cruz, who represented Valenzuela, is from Oras town.(Binibining Pilipinas Photo)

LSDE  —  TACLOBAN CITY – Gabrielle Basiano, representing Borongan City landed as first runner-up in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas held Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 21-year old beauty queen was named earlier as one of the favorites to bag any of the titles at stake in the competition, now on its 57th edition, participated by 34 equally stunning beauties from all over the country.
Basiano also bagged the Best in Long Gown special award.
Basiano is not a newbie in beauty pageants as she started competing in various local and national competitions since aged 17.
Among her titles are Robinsons Place Tacloban Campus Fashionista, Miss ADFC 2017, Mutya ng Prisaa National 3rd runner-up, and her first international crown, Miss Friendship International First Runner-up in 2019 held in China, after winning the Ambassador and Ambassadress of the World-Philippines 2019.
She also competed in 2018 at the Miss Earth where she landed in top 15.
Joining Basiano is Meiji Cruz of Valenzuela, as the 2nd runner-up who traces her roots to Oras, Eastern Samar.
Top winners in the pageant are Maureen Montagne of Batangas, who was crowned as Binibining Pilipinas Globe, Cinderella Obenita of Cagayan de Oro who bagged Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental, Samantha Panlilio of Cavite who was crowned the Binibining Grand International crown, and Masbate’s candidate, Hannah Arnold who won the Binibining Pilipinas International title.
The winners were chosen by panel of judges that included fashion designer Rajo Laurel, broadcaster Pinky Webb, Maria Garcia, Novotel general manager Dioceldo Sy, Ever Bilena CEO, actors Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, and Department of Tourism Undersecretary and spokesperson Benito Bengzon Jr. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)