Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 10) – The Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. officially confirmed that current contestant Samantha Bernardo was appointed to represent the Philippines in the Miss Grand International pageant in Thailand in March.
The local pageant explained reigning Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Aya Abesamis was not able to compete internationally due to the age limit, after the Miss Grand International pageant was delayed because of the pandemic.
“We extend our full support to her [Bernardo] in her quest to win the first MGI crown for the country,” BPCI said in a statement.
“Also, our heart goes out to Aya Abesamis for being unable to join MGI 2020 due to age limit, caused by the delay of the MGI contest because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” it added.
Bernardo was crowned 2nd runner-up in her first two attempts in Bb. Pilipinas in 2018 and 2019.
Meanwhile, Abesamis was initially crowned 1st runner-up in 2019, but took over the Bb. Pilipinas Grand International title from Samantha Lo after the latter resigned.
But the BPCI noted that Abesamis would still pass her crown during the coronation night in April.
The highest that the Philippines reached in the pageant was a 1st runner-up finish, courtesy of Nicole Cordoves in 2016.
Posted by Bb. Pilipinas (Official) on Tuesday, February 9, 2021
