Bb. Pilipinas 2017 Review

(Credits to BBPCI for this photo, more photos on their official FB page so I will not be posting anything more here)

This is the first time I am making a review of a beauty pageant. I have been an avid beauty pageant pan, a silent member of various forums and pageant pages. In 2010-2012, I was active in Missosology but as I started my work, I became a silent member. From time to time I made comments or posted in PTOP groups in Facebook. Truth be told, I am not really a fan of the local pageants. But as soon as a representative is chosen, then I become a 100% supporter of that candidate in the international pageant. 

This 2017 is different in a way because for the first time, I am somehow acquianted with a few of the candidates in Bb. Pilipinas so I was rooting for them. Plus the fact that the telecast was on April 30, the next day is a holiday so I can sleep late.

So here goes...

The Stage

I found the stage dark and uninspiring. Maybe I was looking for the caliber of the recently concluded Miss Universe last January but there was nothing new in this year's stage. I hardly noticed the LED backdrop. Maybe they could have utilized this more by using astounding visuals. I never the theme they were after this year.

The Opening Number

I would not be critical but suffice to say I did find the opening number upbeat and enjoyable to watch, although a little bit Christmasy due to the red and green combination of dresses.

The Hosts

I love love love Pia but I felt that she is uncomfortable on stage. And Xian's ad libs, sorry to say, were quite lame.

The Judging

Here I was quite confused, I get it that they are changing the rules but cutting the 40 candidates to 25 without a preliminary competition is quite dubious. I mean, what is the basis of getting the Top 25?  But it is what it is, the Top 25 was chosen and a couple of strong contenders did not make it and a lot of surprises did.

The Swimsuit

So dark and looked sporty instead of sexy. They could have used the press presentation swimsuits instead.

The Evening Gowns

Love the idea of local designers dressing the girls instead of coming from one store (like what they did before).

DJ's serenade - let me put it this way, I think he is not yet ready to be that guy who will sing to the girls. No chemistry with the girls and why wear shades, at night, while singing?

The Q&A

Side note, I love Venus who has been turned into an usherette here holding the fish bowl containing the questions. Such a trooper.

All, except one, are quite eloquent in answering the Q&A. I guess the point here is not to get your nerves get the best of you. However beautiful you are, if you stumble, that's it. The crowd and netizens are quite unforgiving. We have witnessed many would be winners who stumbled in Q&A effectively losing their crowns. (But it is a wonder how Janina San Miguel won a title after her infamous answer).

The Winners

I feel that this batch is the strongest batch of winners. Although I feel that Katarina should be in a different pageant, I think it is a strategy that she is sent to Intercontinental to finally bring home a crown for the country. Mariel is good for International, shy with a sweet demeanor and hopefully, she'll break the curse of MI titleholders (wherein the rep of the current titleholder clapped/unplaced just like the case of Bea Rose and Bianca) and bring home a back-to-back. Rachelle is good for MU, no need for an interpreter! The others for Globe, Grand and Supranational seemed tailored fit to their respective pageants. 

All in all, there's nothing spectacular except for the winners, in this year's show sad to say :(

Hirayamanawi,

Rob