ABS-CBN is Bidding to Get Miss Universe Franchise from Bb. Pilipinas

Following the poor performance of the Philippines in the Miss Universe Pageant since 2000, there are reports that ABS-CBN is bidding to get the franchise from Miss Universe Organization to be the country’s national director who will get to choose and send delegates to the most prestigious beauty contest in the world.

Many pageant enthusiasts are criticizing the way Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) as headed by Stella Marquez Araneta is handling the Philippine representative to the Miss Universe Pageant. One controversial issue that they are pointing out is that BPCI is importing gowns from Araneta’s native country Colombia from the designer Alfredo Barraza (who is also a close friend of Araneta).

Pageant experts lamented that the gowns being sent to the Philippines looked like it was “recycled” from other designs. Furthermore, we have local designers who are equally good or maybe better than Colombian designers. (In photo, Bb. Pilipinas - Universe: (left-right) 2004 Maricar Balagtas, 2006 Lia Andrea Ramos, 2001 Zorayda Ruth Andam)


Since 2000, the Philippines did not make the cut of Miss Universe, just ambushing the Miss Photogenic Awards in 2005 to 2007. Their setback is not the swimsuit competition nor the question and answer portion. The experts are pointing their fingers on the evening gown.

With the reports that ABS-CBN is bidding for the franchise of Miss Universe Pageant, there could be hope for our beauty queens to finally place or even win the third Miss Universe crown for the country.

BPCI’s contract as Philippine Miss Universe franchise holder is not due until 2013 but this early, ABS-CBN is positioning to bid for the rights to be the official holder of the right to search and organize the Philippines’ bet for Miss Universe from 2014 and beyond.

ABS-CBN has been the official broadcaster of Miss Universe in 1994 when it was held in the country and in 2007 and 2008. It’s newly appointed ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio was once a national beauty queen in the ’70s.