Ariella Arida, a 24-year-old Chemistry graduate from Alaminos, Laguna, will represent the country in the 2013 Miss Universe pageant to be held in Panama this July after emerging as the top winner in the Binibining Pilipinas competitions last Sunday evening April 14 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Arida impressed judges during the Q & A portion with her answer on what women can teach men. She responded, “One lesson in life that women can teach men is being sensitive. Men are more logical when it comes to decisions. They’re rational and straightforward. Unlike women, we use our hearts and we tend to get emotional when we make our decisions. Sensitivity is something that we women can teach to men.”
Arida was also judged best in swimsuit in the 50th anniversary of the country’s most presitigious beauty pageant.
Following Arida’s win are Bea Santiago, who was named as Bb. Pilipinas-International; Joanna Cindy Miranda as Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism; Johanna Datul as Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational; while Pia Wurtzbach bagged the first runner-up trophy.
Several special awards were also given, including Miss Friendship, which went to Lourenz Grace Remetillo; Miss Talent, Anna Carmela Aquino; Best in National Costume, Alaine Baccay; Manila Bulletin Readers’ Choice Award, Ellore Punzalan; Bb. Pilipinas-Pagcor, Imelda Schweighart; Bb. Philippine Airlines, Nicole Kim Donesa; and Bb. San Miguel Zero Fit and Sexy Body, Pia Wurtzbach.
Making it to the top 15 were Camille Nazar, 23, from Bulacan; Charmaine Elima, 20, from Binangonan, Rizal; Ellore Punzalan, 26, from Las Pinas; Merry Joyce Respicio, 18, from Bulacan; Ma. Angelica De Leon, 19, from Batangas; Parul Shah, 24, from Pangasinan; Grace Yann Apuad, 25, from Agusan del Sur; Rhea Nakpil, 23, from San Mateo, Rizal; Imelda Schweighart, 17, from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and Amanda Noelle Navasero, 22, from Makati City.
