BINIBINING AURORA 2016: Elegantly Beautiful at its best!

BINIBINING AURORA 2016: Elegantly Beautiful at its best!
By Raymund Thom Golez | Managing Director & Features Editor, Life N Style Central
Photos: JR Noses | Chief Photojournalist & Photo Editor, Life N Style Central

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” — Diane Mariechild

A Woman must not accept; she must challenge. That’s probably what I’ve seen and witnessed among the eight (8) candidates of BINIBINING AURORA 2016 during my 3 days of stay in the birthplace of the pillars of the Filipino language – Baler, Aurora. The organizers went the extra mile to transport us in and took part of the selection of the province’s next beauty ambassadress that will represent the enchanting beauty of the PROVINCE OF AURORA. Life N Style Central was one of the distinct media organizations invited to cover this thrilling event that many locals have been waiting for.

It was a highly anticipated pageant event as far as this writer and many Aurorans are concerned. From my immense conversation with the people of Baler, I must say that this is something that a lot of people look forward to every year as part of the grand celebration of the AURORA DAY FESTIVAL, an annual foundation week celebration of the province. Good job to the very organized and structured promotion and marketing campaign by the Provincial Tourism Office and the Office of the Governor, along with the leadership of Binibining Aurora 2016 Project Chair, Ms. Chesika Mae “Aika” Noveras Valenzuela, for an extensive drive to promote the cause of Binibining Aurora.

“It is really our desire to showcase the beauty of the Aurorans not just within the corners of Aurora Province but to the entire country, as well. That’s why we really gave our very best to stage our this year’s pageant elegantly at its best“, shares Ms. Aika. “We also look forward that one of these days, we would see an Auroran winning a national and even an international beauty title…again!”, she adds. It is interesting to note that the province has already produced a national titleholder when Athena Imperial, representing the Municipality of Casiguran, Aurora, won the Miss Philippines Earth 2011, which paved a way for her to compete in the international Miss Earth 2011 pageant and eventually won the elemental crown of Miss Earth Water that same year.

This year, the Binibining Aurora events productions was perfectly handled by the team composed of talented and creative individuals who gave their hearts to produce an amazing event as extravagant as this. Under the leadership of a renowned pageant and special events director, Direk Edu Pillora, the output of the productions didn’t just focused on the pageant itself but more into giving emphasis and great value to showcase the enchanting beauty of the whole province, which is composed of eight (8) large municipalities, and what they have to offer. Promotional video on the Bb. Aurora pageant and the Tourism Aurora campaign was perfectly produced under the tutelage of the visual arts expert, Direk RJ De Vera Olea.

“It is of great pride and honor for me to be given the privilege to direct and organize a well-kept tradition in the Province of Aurora, the Binibining Aurora pageant, as this is one of the most anticipated event in the province. I am thankful that through our team’s effort and unity, we were able to produce it as excellently as we can. My sincerest gratitude to Governor Gerardo A. Noveras for the full love and trust to be given this task“, Direk Edu Pillora declares. “We were very overwhelmed and thankful, as well, to the undying support of the people of Aurora. Just like any other provinces, Aurora loves beauty pageant, and they want to have a name in the national beauty pageant, so that’s what we are eyeing and working hard to accomplish“.

The Provincial Government of Aurora has been in the tradition from long before to look for young and vibrant ladies who has that “Gandang Filipina, Yamang ng Aurora” vibe. Binibining Aurora aims to empower Auroran beauties with exceptional beauty and a true modern women of today: independent, confident, and above all, beautiful. That’s why a real epitome of an exceptional Auroran beauty emerged as a victor when SHAINA LALAINE SAZON of the Municipality of San Luis bagged the coveted crown of BINIBINING AURORA 2016. Joining her are her court of beauties: First Runner Up Maria Rica Alcuetas of the Municipality of Dinalungan, and Second Runner Up Princess Jouahra Pabellano of the Municapality of Dipaculao. Completing the roster candidates were Mary Jane Lares, Municipality of Dilasag; Winnie Rojo, Municipality of Baler; Karen Grace Villarosa, Municaplity of Maria Aurora; Glaiza Versoza Solis, Municipality of Dingalan; and Rufa May Caraballo,
Municipality of Casiguran.

“No words…I’m shaking…I can’t believe it’s happening! I never expected that I’ll be winning the crown of Binibining Aurora 2016 although I gave everything that I could give to show my supporters, especially my Municipality of San Luis, who believes in me and supporting me that I have what it takes to be a winner“, shares Shaina, newly-crowned Binibining Aurora 2016.

“For me, this is just the start of this thrilling journey as I have to conquer a bigger battle and that is to live up to my advocacy to eradicate or if not, lessen the alarming problem on teenage pregnancy in my beloved municipality, and I’m hoping to address the issue, especially now that I have the crown” Shaina declares. She also bagged the Best in Evening Gown award during the coronation finals held at the Provincial Capitol Grounds. The rest of the major special awards winners were Jouahra Pabellano who won Best in Swimsuit and Best in Talent respectively; always camera ready Maria Rica Alcuetas as Miss Photogenic, Best in Angel in Flight Costume went to Glaiza Versoza Solis. This year’s batch of candidates underwent strong and impressive scrutiny from the distinguished Board of Judges composed of notable personalities in their own respective field of expertise, which includes: Mr. Jun Lee, renowned celebrity Fashion Designer and a member of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines; Mr. Marlon Blanca of Globe Telecoms; Mr. Raymund Thom Golez, Pageant Analyst & Expert and Founder, Managing Director, and Features Editor of Life N Style Central Online Magazine; and Ms. Leren Mae Bautista, the reigning Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International.

The Binibining Aurora is not just all about beauty and glamour. It is also a pageant with a cause as it has an outlook to touch lives and inspire. The winner and her court will have the opportunity to do charity works, plus, they will actively get involved in the promotion of tourism of the province, particularly, in giving emphasis to the major tourist destination of Baler, the haven for surfers, along with the cultural and historical value that entails to it.

Prior to the coronation finals on February 17, a separate preliminary and swimsuit competition was staged on February 16 at the Capitol Grounds, where this author also served as one of the members of the board of judges, alongside Jun Lee and Leren Mae Bautista. The swimsuit portion was given an added twist with a “Victoria’s Secret“-inspired concept with a theme of “Angel In Flight” creativeness, which were artistically executed by the local designers of Aurora and were exquisitely showcased by the candidates. A special recognition was given to the Best Designer during the coronation night and the prestigious honour was awarded to Jomar Peralta.

Binibining Aurora 2016 was presented by the Provincial Government of Aurora, Office of the Provincial Governor, and Barney and Friends Productions headed by Direk Edu Pillora and RJ De Vera Olea, alongside Andrew Duma-Up, Vincent Teodore Opaco, Sid Concepcion, Erikah Joy Campomanes, Ian Jell Yumol, and Sofronio Andres Corpuz III.