2009 kicks off with the most refreshing faces from all over the Philippines vying for the most coveted title of Binibining Pilipinas. 24 promising beauties have been selected as official candidates in the country’s longest-running and most prestigious pageant.

The annual Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant is a project of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated (BPCI), a non-stock, non-profit organization. The pageant was envisioned as a prestigious fund-raising activity for projects that would benefit orphans, indigent families and other less fortunate members of Philippine society.

24 candidates aspire to live up to the ideals of being the embodiment of the true Filipina beauty—a dazzling combination of poise, grace, and intelligence—committed to various humanitarian and ideal causes. The selected candidates were formally presented to select members of the media on February 6 at Cinema 4 of Gateway Cineplex 10 in Araneta Center. The coronation night is set on Saturday, March 7 at the Araneta Coliseum, which has been the official home of the pageant in its four decades of glorious existence.

The winners who will be crowned Binibining Pilipinas International, Binibining Pilipinas Universe, and Binibining Pilipinas World will serve as the official Philippine representative to the three different international pageants. They will be joining the elite roster of past beauty queens that the pageant has produced such as Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1969; Margie Moran, Miss Universe 1973; Aurora Pijuan, Miss International 1970; Melanie Marquez, Miss International 1979; Ruffa Gutierrez, Miss World 2nd Princess 1993; Miriam Quiambao, Miss Universe 1st Runner-up 1999; and Precious Lara Quigaman, Miss International 2005.

With a new batch of the most beautiful young ladies in the country as official candidates, Binibining Pilipinas continues to carry on not only its heritage of producing international winners, but also serving as the gateway to many meaningful opportunities to prove that real beauty is truly beyond skin deep. For more information about the pageant and the lasting legacy of beauty of Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., log on to bbpilipinas.com.

The 2009 Binibining Pilipinas Pageant is presented by Natasha in cooperation with Araneta Center and GMA 7. Philippine Airlines and Sofitel Philippine Plaza is the official airlines and residence, respectively, of the pageant. Other sponsors include Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, David’s Salon, Gold’s Gym, Picture City, Dale Carnegie Training, Berlitz Language Training Center, KL Bus Lines, Manila Bulletin, and The Journal Group of Companies.

Watch Binibining Pilipinas 2010.

Who will be the next Binibining Pilipinas ?