As many pageant fans know, Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) no longer holds the licenses to the Miss Universe and Miss Supranational franchises. On December 9, 2019, a statement was released saying that Miss Universe Organization (MUO) departed ways with BPCI and announced the creation of the Miss Universe Philippines Organization. This statement caught many pageant fans off-guard due to the BPCI holding the Miss Universe license for the past 55 and having produced four Miss Universe winners. With that being said, I cannot say that I was not expecting MUO to leave BPCI because I always had a feeling that sometime in the future this would happen. However, I did not expect this to turn into reality so soon.
On July 28, 2020, the Miss World Philippines Organization (MWPO) announced that they acquired the Miss Supranational franchise. With the MWPO holding the Miss Supranational license, there are now six titles up for grabs for the contestants who enter into the Miss World Philippines pageant: Miss World, Miss Supranational, Reina Hispanoamericana, Miss Eco International, Miss Eco Teen International, Miss Multinational, and Miss Philippines Tourism. The announcement of the Miss Supranational Organization (MSO) departing ways with BPCI was a shock to pageant fans across the globe. In my opinion, this announcement was even more shocking than when MUO left BPCI. To my knowledge, there were not any speculations or rumors floating around about MSO not renewing their license with BPCI.
Acquiring the Miss Supranational franchise is a big deal for the MWPO since the Miss Supranational pageant is gaining popularity around the world and it is already – in its 11 years of existence – one of the most prestigious international pageants. All of this increases the likelihood for more contestants to join the Miss World Philippines pageant. With that in mind, there is a possibility that some women may have lost interest in competing in Binibining Pilipinas due to the Bb. Pilipinas Supranational title now being gone; same goes for the Miss Universe Philippines title. Miss Universe is arguably the biggest and most prestigious pageant in the world, and the Filipino people are crazy – in a good way – for Miss Universe. Losing these two major international pageant titles in the title lineup might take a toll on BPCI by decreasing the desirability amongst Filipino women to compete in Binibining Pilipinas. There are still four international pageant titles – Miss International, Miss Grand International, Miss Intercontinental, and Miss Globe – being offered in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. However, I can’t imagine losing the Miss Universe and Miss Supranational titles not effecting BPCI in some way. Whether it effects the number of entrants or the quality (the potential to go on and win an international title) of the contestants, there is going to be some sort of change – good or bad.
At the end of the day, nothing stays the same forever and we all have to adapt to change. Part of my heart does feel for the current Bb. Pilipinas contestants because I know some of them had their eye on the Supranational title, but there are still other great titles up for grabs. This is only the beginning of the new chapter in the story of BPCI.
Feature image courtesy of BPCI
Tags: Binibining Pilipinas, Miss Supranational, Miss Universe