SASHES AND TIARAS.....Binibining Pilipinas 2013 Ariella Arida: Winner, Gowns

Ariella Arida, Miss Binibining Pilipinas 2013 "Miss Philippines Universe 2013"

It's international "Miss" crowning season I guess---just last week, I blogged about the new "Miss Brazil World 2013" as well as "Miss Thailand World 2013" and just last night, a new Philippine beauty was crowned: 24-year-old Ariella Arida became Miss Binibining Pilipinas 2013/Miss Philippines Universe 2013 in the 50th anniversary of the pageant celebrated at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Philippines.

Love My Crown: Ariella Arida, Miss Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2013

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the pageant, several Philippine Beauty Icons were there including Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1973 Margarita Moran, 1st runner-up 1999 Miriam Quiambao, 4th runner-up 2010 Venus Raj, 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup, and 1st runner-up 2012 Janine Tugonon.

 Crowning Moment: Ariella Arida gets her crown from last year's Miss Binibining Pilipinas 2012, Janine Tugonon

The beautiful Ariella-who is 1.72 m tall (approximately 5' 8") will represent the Philippines in the 2013 Miss Universe pageant to be held in December of this year. She was crowned by last year's winner, the fabulous Janine Tugonon (seen above, middle at the Miss Universe 2012 pageant). Janine almost won the Miss Universe 2012 title (she was 1st Runner-Up) and had one of the most DIVINE runway/pageant walks of all time--I was there in Las Vegas to witness it!

 Ariella Arida, Miss Binibining Pilipinas Miss Universe Philippines 2013

The new Miss Universe Philippines, Ariella Arida, hails from Laguna and has a Chemistry degree at the University of the Philippines. She enjoys sports including volleyball, swimming, and running, having finished a 21K recently. She considers 2010 Miss Universe 4th runner up Venus Raj as her idol. Oh, and besides taking the TOP Crown, she also won...

Best In Swimsuit Award: Ariella Arida, the new Miss Universe Philippines

The Runners-Up Were...

The Top Five Beauties: (left to right) Pia Wurtzbach (1st Runner Up), Joanna Cindy Miranda (Binibining Pilipinas Tourism), Ariella Arida Miss Universe Philippines 2013), Bea Rose Santiago (Binibining Pilipinas International), and Mutya Johanna Datul (Binibining Pilipinas Supranational).

22-year old Bea Rose Santiago, who represented the Filipino community in Canada, was crowned Bb. Pilipinas International.  The 1.75 m (about 5' 9") beauty will now compete in the Miss International beauty pageant next October; 22-year old Joanna Cindy Miranda was chosen Bb. Pilipinas Tourism. She stands 1.70 m (about 5' 7") tall and is a cum laude graduate from the University of Sto Tomas; 20-year old Mutya Johanna Datul was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Supranational. She is 1.73 m (about 5' 8") tall and comes from Sta. Maria, Isabela. She will now compete in the Miss Supranational 2013 competition to take place in Minsk, Belarus, in September. The 1st runner-up was Pia Wurtzbach.

Evening Gowns: As you can see from the photos above of the contestants and finalists, the gowns were colorful, and very "Prom-&-Pageant Traditional" in terms of their silhouettes and styles. Nothing extraordinary or Paris Couture-looking; lots of chiffon, gathering, sequin details and either bright colors (bubblegum pink, bright blue) or metallics (golds, silvers).

Best in Gown: Mutya Johanna Datul took the prize for "Best in Evening Gown" with a one shoulder shimmery golden and creme gown (she also won "Miss Photogenic" as well)

Grecian Goddess: Ariella Arida, the eventual winner, wore an ivory one-shoulder gown with gold and silver sequin trim at the shoulder and waist. It was very Grecian Goddess and again, very safe as a pageant gown. I expect her to "Turn Up the Gown Volume" TEN times when she goes to the Miss Universe 2013 pageant.

Congratulations to Ariella and to the rest of her court!

Miss Philippines Universe 2013 --Miss Binibining Pilipinas 2013--Crowning Moment:

Miss Philippines Universe 2013--Miss Binibining Pilipinas 2013--Evening Gown Portion: