Laguna chemistry grad triumphs in pageant

Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2013 Ariella Arida (centre) is flanked by other winners (from left) Pia Wurtzbach, first runner-up, Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism, Joana Cindy Miranda, Bea Santiago, Bb. Pilipinas-International, and Johanna Datul, Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational.

By Euden Valdez/Manila TimesThe Binibining Pili­pinas pageant crowned Ariella Arida as Miss Universe-Philippines 2013 on its 50th anniversary at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Sunday.The 24-year-old Arida, who hails from Alaminos, Laguna province, is a BS Chemistry graduate of the University of the Philippines-Los Banos.Arida will be the country’s official representative at the upcoming 2013 Miss Universe, and hopes are high that she will bring home the crown. The last Filipina to be crowned Miss Universe was Margie Moran in 1973.In the highly anticipated question and answer section, Philippine National Police director general Alan Purisma asked Arida, “What lesson in life could women teach men?”She said: “One lesson in life that women can teach men is being sensitive. Men are more logical when it comes to decisions. They’re rational and straightforward. Unlike women, we use our hearts and we tend to get emotional when we make our decisions. Sensitivity is something that we women can teach men.”Completing the golden batch of winners are Bea Rose Santiago, Miss International-Philippines; Mutya Johanna Datul, Miss Supranational-Philippines; and Joanna Cindy Miranda, Miss Tourism-Philippines.Pia Wurtzbach, who finished first-runner up, completed the top five.In celebration of its anniversary, Binibining Pilipinas Gold not only welcomed its 2013 winners but also paraded the event’s former queens from 1964 to 2012 — making the event truly the most beautiful night in the country.The Philippines’ two Miss Universe winners, Gloria Diaz (1969) and Margarita Moran-Floirendo (1973) cornered the spotlight.Also present were Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugunon, who all finished in the top five in the last three Miss Universe pageants.The event also paid tribute to previous Bb. Pilipinas title holders. Bb Pilipinas Charities Inc (BPCI) chairman Stella Marquez-Araneta, who has led the pageant for the past 50 years, thanked the supporters of the event.“I have never been onstage during the 50 years of the (pageant), but I have to do this, this year to thank all of you. The Bb Pilipinas does something for the Philippines . . . They (the Bb Pilipinas winners) can open doors and showcase how beautiful it is in our country.”In a touching moment, she also asked husband Jorge Araneta to come on stage while  thanking him for his support.