We’ve got a new Binibining Pilipinas International 2021!
Meet Hannah Arnold of Masbate, who came out on top against 33 other candidates last Sunday night.
The 24-year old beauty queen was given the most prestigious crown by Bea Patricia Magtanong at the pageant’s coronation night in Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Arnold was a crowd favorite, breezing through the swimsuit and evening gown portions of the competition. During the Q&A, she was asked about the existence of freedom of speech in the Philippines in today’s day and age.
She answered with confidence and said, “First of all, freedom of speech is a basic human right that we all must remember and it is important for a democracy. With our upcoming elections, we definitely need free speech. For example on Twitter, we are limited to few characters and what I’ve seen from these tweets has been powerful and has helped me think about who I would like to vote for in the upcoming elections.”
Arnold will travel to Japan later in November to compete at the Miss International competition. She’ll be aiming to be the country’s seventh titleholder after Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Santiago (2013), and Kylie Verzosa (2016).
Other winners at the Binibining Pilipinas coronation event include:
- Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2021: Samantha Alexandra Panlilio, Cavite
- Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2021: Cinderella Faye Obeñita, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental
- Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2021: Maureen Ann Montagne, Batangas
- 1st runner-up: Gabrielle Camille Basiano, Borongan, Eastern Samar
- 2nd runner-up: Meiji Cruz, Valenzuela City
This year’s Binibining Pilipinas is the first edition of the pageant after the Miss Universe Philippines Organization announced its acquisition of the Philippine franchise for Miss Universe in December 2019.
Binibining Pilipinas 2021 was scheduled to take place in April of 2020, but was repeatedly rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
