Arts and beauties merge when the forty Binibining Pilipinas 2019 candidates made an appearance at the Gateway Gallery in Araneta Center on Monday. The one-of-a-kind art museum in the heart of Quezon City Center promotes public appreciation of arts and better understanding of the country’s history with paintings and exhibits.
The beauties cherished and enjoyed the gallery of paintings done by the artists of the University of the Philippines. Standouts from this year’s batch of Bb. Pilipinas gave a glimpse of what to expect come the grand coronation of the pageant on June 9 as members of the media got up close interviews of the lovely ladies. Here’s what they said of the historically and culturally relevant pieces on display:
“What I learned from the gallery is about the greatness of Filipino artistry. I particularly love the Sarimanok, Angono Petroglyphs artworks and the different Philippine festivals,” said returning Bacolod native Vickie Rushton, the 2014 PBB 4th placer and last year’s Bb. Pilipinas 1st runner-up.
“I learned a lot also, and I like the paintings done by women because it’s women’s month and promote means women empowerment,” said 23-year-old Fil-Australian beauty Hanna Arnold.
“It makes me proud as a Filipino and we should learn about all these things and they say that arts is the soul and language of the Philippines,” said Samantha Bernardo, last year’s 2nd runner up.
“It’s so nice to have a glimpse of our past and to celebrate the Filipino arts together with the other girls,” said Leren Mae Bautista, Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015.
“I don’t know much about arts but I do love Philippine history. I really appreciate that it kind of marries the two—arts and history—from the colonial period, Spanish regime to World War 2 and the EDSA revolution,” said Patricia ‘Patch’ Magtanong, a 24-year-old Business Economics graduate and Juris Doctor (Law) from UP. “It’s an opportunity to be in touch with Philippine history, with the works of artists from UP.”
Other candidates who gave a good impression on their insights about arts and history were Gazini Christiana Ganados, Emma Mary Tiglao, Aya Abesamis, and Julia Eugene Saubierz.
Located at the 5th Floor of Gateway Tower, the Gateway Art Gallery is free to the public and is open from Monday to Sunday, at 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m..
