Binibini Queens on the 'Winning Glow' and What Pageants Should Highlight More

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as the saying goes and as people often say.

- By JERRY DONATO

That is why participating in a competition of pulchritude and personality is tough and thrilling in a way.

Beauty pageant aspirants and contestants devote time and energy to perfect their pasarela (walking), possess a commanding stage presence and prepare for the Q&A.

They also need to build the stamina and enthusiasm for pre-pageant activities such as public appearances. It's never a walk in the park to be chosen as among the few to make it to the semi-finals and win a title and a crown.

Sometimes, even if one, who is touted as a frontrunner, hopes that the judges will see her as a standout or a cut above the rest on coronation night.

Somewhere in this bevy of beauties, another lady is emerging as a surprise possible winner, whose personality shines through, and breezes through each round of competition with ease and fate on her side.

Pageant experts and fans may attribute it to what they call the winning glow.

This paper had the chance to ask 2025 Bb. Pilipinas International Katrina Anne Johnson and Bb. Pilipinas Globe Annabelle Mae McDonnell about that pageant terminology or belief in an interview that was also attended by fellow Binibini winners Dalia Khattab as first runner-up and Kathleen Enid Espenido, second runner-up.

"Do I believe in the 'winning glow'? Yeah, I think so," said Katrina. "You can see the aura of the person, of a woman who is, I guess her presence is commanding. She's confident. She's someone that is warm and inviting."

"You can tell, not just on stage, even when you interact with queens face-to-face," added she.

"So, I think you do see that sort of calm confidence in a woman, who is, you know, sure of what she's able to bring to the table and knows that she's going at it with, you know, intention, good intentions."