Binibining Pilipinas still owns Miss Universe Philippines Franchise

By:

Jan Milo Severo (philstar.com) -

MANILA, Philippines — Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. Chairperson Stella Marquez Araneta has put an end to speculations that the local franchise of the Miss Universe pageant is now under the group of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit Singson.

In an ambush interview with the media, Araneta confirmed that the most prestigious beauty pageant is still with her organization.

“Well, it's still with us. If some people say something else, let them talk about it," Araneta told reporters.


Araneta added that the search for the new batch of Binibining Pilipinas beauty queens would be announced soon.

Recent reports said the international organization allegedly offered the franchise to Singson.

Singson, together with his daughter Richelle who was a judge in the Miss Universe 2018 competition, came home to the Philippines with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray after the pageant.

Apart from Miss Universe, Binibining Pilipinas winners also represent the country in other international beauty pageants such as Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Grand International and Miss Globe.

Miss Universe 2018 -from the Philippines

Miss Universe 2018 names two Filipinas on judges' panel

By: Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines — The Miss Universe Organization has revealed during the Preliminary Competition on December 13 the all-woman selection committee that will choose who among the 93 candidates will advance to the competition’s top 20 to be announced during the coronation night on December 17.

At least two of the judges in the committee are Filipinas: Richelle Singson-Michael and Monique Lhuillier.

Screenshot of Singson-Michael being introduced as judge during the livestream telecast.

Richelle, daughter of former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, has been described at the pageant as “an Architect by profession, but an aggressive businesswoman by training.” 

“She is CEO (chief executive officer) of both Platinum Skies Aviation and FinTech - Casha.me. Markedly, she as Vice Chairwoman of the LCS Group of Companies, led one of the most successful hosting of the Miss Universe Competition held 2 years ago in the Philippines,” her profile at the Miss Universe website read.

Her photo in the website’s selection committee comes first, followed by that of Lhuillier, an internationally-renowned designer born to Filipino parents and who grew up in Cebu City, Philippines.

“Monique has dressed celebrities and important political figures such as Emma stone, Blake Lively, Sandra Bullock, Anna Kendrick, Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Alba, Kristen Bell and first ladies Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, among others,” her biography was described as such at the pageant’s site.

Monique and Richelle are joined by other selection committee members Bui Simon, American Miss Universe winner now based in Thailand; Moroccan-American self-made entrepreneur Iman Oubou; Janaye Ingram, Director of National Partnerships for Airbnb; business commentator and entrepreneur Liliana Gil Valletta; and Miss Universe 1992 and entrepreneur from Namibia Michelle McLean.

Pageant critic Sashes & Scripts likened Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray to McLean due to their tall height, similar background as a model, and same advocacies for children and education.