Binibining
Pilipinas USA (BPUSA) confirms 2014 results! After a dramatic
July 19th Coronation Night at the Centinela Valley Center for the Arts in the
South Bay, Los Angeles, BPUSA clarified and confirmed the official results of
its second annual pageant late Saturday evening.
The
corrected title placements are as follows:
Binibining
Pilipinas USA ~ CHRISTELLE ABELLO
Binibining
Pilipinas USA, Tourism ~ CZARINA HERMOSO
1st
Runner Up ~ CAITLIN SAN DIEGO
2nd Runner
Up ~ GABBIE GONZALES
3rd
Runner Up ~ LOVELY JANE TANGLAO
Prior to BPUSA's official press release, the pageant theatrics overshadowed the buzz of celebrity judges presence, amongst them were Black
Eyed Pea’s Allan Pineda Lindo aka Apl.de.Ap, Miss Universe 2010 4th
Runner Up Venus Raj, and Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner Up Janine
Tugonon.
With
the final two candidates on stage for their coronation moments, it was initially
proclaimed that Binibini No. 4, Czarina Hermoso, a 17-year old beauty, won the
title of Binibining Pilipinas USA 2014. Instead, Binibini No. 9, Christelle
Abello, a 20-year old stunner, scored the highest rankings and should have been
proclaimed the titleholder of Binibining Pilipinas USA, rather than her
announced Binibining Pilipinas USA-Tourism crown. Many, including some of the candidates, had mixed emotions. Aaah…the drama!
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| Binibini #4 Czarina Hermoso and Binibini #9 Christelle Abello moments before BPUSA coronation |
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| Inadvertent declaration of Czarina Hermoso as 2014 Binibining Pilipinas USA and Christelle Abello as 2014 Binibining Pilipinas USA, Tourism |
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| Czarina Hermoso was crowned by her predecessor Geramie Dizon while Christelle Abello was crowned by Venus Raj |
It
was reported that after this on-stage announcement, the lead tabulator instantaneously
ran into the audience to tell the organizers that Ms. Abello was the actual
winner. Except for a few spectators over hearing that there was a blunder, no
immediate correction was declared at the event and people have left the venue
unaware of the inadvertent slip-up.
By
the way, it was an ordeal to get out of the parking lot after paramedics and
fire trucks clogged the exits. I
later received a call about 2014 Binibining
Pilipinas USA 3rd Runner up,
Lovely Jane Tanglao’s unfortunate accident backstage. I am glad that she has since been released from the hospital and is
recovering just fine.
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| Binibining Pilipinas USA 3rd Runner Up Mary Jane Tanglao |
Anyway,
it was on the same phone call that I learned about the mis-announcement of the
winners! I was told that the
executive team immediately began to investigate what transpired, leading to a
conference between tabulators and senior production staff.
“We
have determined that this was not a tabulation error, as the votes were
validated and certified correct,” explained pageant co-executive producer,
Norberto Reyes; “it was not an error committed by the hosts, since they merely
read the results given to them. “Rather,
this was a simple but, unfortunate transmittal error, as the form used by the
production team to convey the results to the emcees was misinterpreted, and the
ranking of the final two candidates was reversed,” he added. “It was not
discovered until after the proclamation. The tabulation forms correctly listed
the finalists in reverse order. “However,
the form used to deliver the results to the hosts listed the order of
announcement, (instead of by ranking), which called for 5th, 4th, 3rd, then
1st, explained Reyes. “We deeply and truly regret that this inconsistency in
the two forms resulted in the confusion.”
After careful review and discussions, the organizers
shared all gathered findings backstage with the two involved candidates and
their parents. Following a quick dialogue between the parents, tearful Ms.
Hermoso and Ms. Abello amiably offered to embrace the true outcome. The winners hugged playfully and
impromptu exchanged crowns and sashes, and proudly headed to the VIP after
party with their respective crowns. The day following the coronation night,
both titleholders issued official statements about the mix up which can be
found in the Binibining Pilipinas USA Facebook page.
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| Wearing their respective title sashes and crowns |
“This
touching display of graciousness and uncommon maturity from these two young
women should be greatly admired and respected,” added co-executive producer,
Mildred Deang. “Many adults could learn a few lessons in grace and humility
from these two, impressive young women. One could only commend their loving
parents for the outstanding values and behavior of these two beautiful
Filipina-American role models. They are the real story here.”
I can attest to these young women's strong character after meeting and presenting them at "Mukha, Likha, at Iba Pa" charity fashion event which I hosted, in their only Orange County appearance one week prior to the coronation night. Congratulations to all the winners, the candidates and the BPUSA executive team, organizers and volunteers for a successful event!
Per pageant policy, copies of the tabulation score sheets are being made available to all top ten candidates.
