Two Palaweña beauties made it to the final list of the candidates for the Binibining Pilipinas 2019.
Jessarie Dumaguing of Port Barton, San Vicente and Samantha Mae Bernardo of Puerto Princesa City will be joining this year’s 38 candidates who will vie for the Binibining Pilipinas crowns.
The Binibining Pilipinas is a national beauty and brain competition that sends winning candidates to compete in minor and major international pageants such as Miss Supranational, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Grand International, Miss Globe, Miss International, and Miss Universe.
This year’s Binibining Pilipinas will mark the return for the second time of Bernardo who won in the pageant as 2nd runner up in 2018.
Bernardo, a former Mutya ng Palawan Tourism 2013 winner, is a competitive rhythmic gymnast and former president of the Sining Palawan Dance troupe, which showcases Philippine culture and traditions through folk dances that are being performed around the province and abroad.
An active member of the JCI Puerto Princesa Kiao, Inc. (or Kiao Jaycees), she is also a makeup and personality development instructor.
“My goal is to make a difference. I know that if each one of us makes a difference, together we can make a change,” she said.
Bernardo supports the preservation of Filipino culture for future generations.
On the other hand, Dumaguing is a former Binibining MIMAROPA Festival Queen 2017 who is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management at the Palawan State University (PSU).
Dumaguing’s statuesque physique is an advantage for her in joining collegiate pageants and modeling competitions.
A model and painter by profession, Dumaguing strongly advocates for the promotion of education among the youth, wishing those who are poor but deserving can get the education they deserve.
“I used to be one those students who struggled to go to school because I don’t have a daily allowance and enough financial resources to pay my tuition fees. At some point. I had to juggle and deal with both school and work to make ends meet. It was hard, but I managed to surpass the obstacles and finally got my college diploma. With that in mind, I aim to reach out to young people regardless of their social status. That’s because I want to inspire and motivate them to value education — whatever it takes. Because education is the epitome of true success,” Dumaguing stated.
The coronation of the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 is set on June 9.
