Miss Philippines 2010 winners. From left to right: second runner-up Nicolette Henson, Miss Philippines-International Krista Kleiner, Miss Philippines-Universe Venus Raj, Miss Philippines-World Czarina Gatbonton, and first runner-up Dianne Necio.

Congratulations to the winners of the Binibining Pilipinas 2010 (Miss Philippines 2010) pageant! Three of the finest Filipinas in the land have been chosen to represent the Philippines at prestigious international beauty contests this year.

The candidates for Miss Philippines 2010 represent the full ethnic spectrum of Filipina beauty, and the winner’s circle reflects that diversity. The top three titleists include a civic-minded SoCal actress, a nature-loving Pacific Island princess, and a strong-willed Indian goddess.

Second runner-up Nicolette Henson

Second runner-up: Helen Nicolette Henson
Age: 21
Height: 5′ 8 1/2″
Weight: 121 lbs.
Vital statistics: 35″-25″-35″
Special awards: Miss Photogenic

Nicolette took up broadcast journalism in college, and her career reflects her journalistic training. This skilled communicator can adroitly express herself in a plethora of ways: as a host, as a model, and as a travel writer.

Even Nicolette’s hobbies reflect her multimedia savvy: she loves surfing the net, reading books, writing poetry, and watching documentaries. She’s even got social media savvy: you can find her interacting with fans on Twitter and Facebook.

With the Philippine Presidential elections coming up, Nicolette was asked what she’s looking for in a President. Nicolette replied that she wants a leader with a good heart, because such a leader can sway the hearts of the people. Since Nicolette’s a journalist, her answer draws upon what every capable media practitioner knows: authenticity resonates with the people.

Nicolette was also an Elite Model Look finalist in 2005. That same look earned her the title of Miss Photogenic. Lest anyone think this young model-journalist is all work and no play, Nicolette also loves swimming and dancing.

First runner-up Dianne Necio

First runner-up: Dianne Necio
Age: 17
Height: 5′ 6″
Weight: 112.2 lbs.
Vital statistics: 34″-25″-36″

Dianne’s been winning accolades across the Philippine pageant circuit over the last year, having won the first runner-up spot at Miss Bicolandia 2009 and the titles of Miss Iriga 2009 and Miss Tabak 2009. Now on her second year of nursing studies, this teen pageant hotshot enjoys baton twirling and piano playing.

As she revealed during the question-and-answer portion of the pageant, Dianne is the kind of girl who listens intently to the important people in her life. Filipinos tend to form very tight-knit families and friendships; such bonds provide a source of strength for many Filipinas. As the youngest member of the winner’s circle, good advice from a capable support group should serve Dianne well in her promising career.

To learn more about the top three winners — Miss Philippines-International, Miss Philippines-World, and Miss Philippines-Universe — click through to the next page.

Filipina Net idol Alodia Gosiengfiao is the queen of cosplay in the Philippines. As a consequence of that distinction, Alodia’s become an icon for Japanese pop culture in the Philippines.

That’s why she’s in demand as an endorser for just about anything influenced by Japanese pop culture. Alodia and her sister Ashley recently did a photoshoot for a trendy new sushi bar in the Philippines’ central business district, wearing costumes inspired by Japanese superheroes. Now Alodia dons a stylized samurai outfit to endorse Kojie San, a Japanese line of skincare products.

Interestingly enough, Alodia beat mainstream Filipina actresses and Brazilian models for the Kojie San endorsement deal. She didn’t even bring a traditional model portfolio to the audition — just her cosplay pictures on her iPhone. Having endorsed all sorts of other niche products throughout her career, from anime DVDs to video games, this fine Filipina cosplayer is making quite a name for herself as an alternative model.

Video podcaster Gary Vaynerchuk espouses that the Internet enables people to cash in on their passions, no matter how niche. That’s exactly what Alodia is doing. “Being compensated for what you really love doing, in my case cosplay,” says the young Filipina Net idol, “is more than I could ever ask for.”

In case you’re wondering, that’s a real sharpened katana she’s wielding. Watch out for this geek girl — Alodia’s rapidly cutting a path to bigger and bigger things.

The Philippines is a tropical island paradise, and nothing says “tropical island paradise” quite like a bevy of bikini-clad beauties. Naturally, any fine Filipinas hoping to represent their country at the Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International beauty pageants should look good in bikinis.

Fortunately, the candidates at the Binibining Pilipinas 2010 pageant deliver amply in that regard. Marvel at these fine Filipinas’ flawless beauty in their swimsuits, and let your mind drift to thoughts of summer on the white-sand beaches of Boracay.

 

Once again, it’s time to choose some of the finest Filipinas in the land to represent their country and their people at the Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss World beauty pageants. The twenty-four candidates competing at the Binibining Pilipinas 2010 pageant represent the sheer diversity of Filipina beauty.

You’ll find fine Filipinas of almost every ethnic mix among this year’s batch of candidates: from tanned Pacific Island princesses like Mariella Castillo and Patricia Lae Ejercitado, to statuesque European goddesses like Nicole Kaufmann and Gwendoline Ruais. Public servant Maria Venus Raj is an exotic Indian beauty, while actress Krista Mae Kleiner is a vivacious SoCal girl. Fine Filipinas are truly a global phenomenon.

 

Veteran Filipina comedienne Giselle Sanchez currently endorses Enduranz herbal food supplements for men. Enduranz claims to elevate testosterone levels — and as you can see in these beach photos, Giselle herself can elevate men’s testosterone levels too.

Note that Giselle is the proud mother of two kids. Like fellow Filipina celebrity moms Carlene Aguilar and Yda Manzano, Giselle proves that fine Filipinas can raise wonderful children and still look great in bikinis.

Matrix fans will also note that Jerry reenacts some of Jue’s gestures in these photos — from sword grips to licking lips to peeking.

 

Like many international fashion models, Phen has developed quite a passion for shopping. She boasts an impressive collection of Louis Vuitton bags, with Prada and Chanel on the side. In case prospective suitors want to add something to her collection, she dreams of owning a Hermes.

As adventurous as she is cosmopolitan, Phen loves to get wet and wild with water sports. When she’s not buying designer leather across Asia’s most happening cities, you’ll find her surfing and wakeboarding across the Philippines’ most beautiful beaches.

You would think that a woman with such a well-developed taste for travel and adventure and luxury wouldn’t be very down-to-earth. You’d be wrong. Phen grew up in the mountains of Baguio, having moved to the Philippine capital of Manila only three years ago. In matters of health and the heart, she’s very much the fresh-air mountain lass. She has no vices: she doesn’t drink, and she doesn’t smoke. She also rejects the bluster and bravado of the big-city bad boys of Manila, preferring instead the nice respectful highland boys of Baguio. Even her favorite book is all about staying grounded: The Purpose Driven Life.

Take note, guys: if you’re going to get her that Hermes, you’d better be totally nice about it. Be funny, too: Phen likes guys with a sense of humor.

Phen is a study in contrasts: a jet-set cosmopolitan surfer girl who’s into nice guys and clean living. Her smile is as sweet as her personality, her look as classy as her lifestyle. This fine Filipina combines the best of two opposing archetypes: the sophisticated model and the charming country girl.

After portraying the supernatural warriors of Witchblade on the first day of Anime Festival Asia 2009, Filipina cosplayer sisters Alodia and Ashley Gosiengfiao chose to cosplay friendlier characters on the second day. This time, they portrayed pretty mascots from the blog of top geek culture blogger Danny Choo.

Fittingly enough, Danny’s mascots themselves are sisters. Alodia cosplayed the blonde Mirai Suenaga, while Ashey cosplayed the fuschia-haired Haruka Suenaga.

(Photos via Gordon Ho and Chung Kar Loong.)

Once again, Filipina cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao manages to look beautiful, geeky, and deadly all at once. Along with her sister Ashley, Alodia performed on stage at the recently concluded Anime Festival Asia 2009. The girls looked absolutely resplendent portraying Amaha Masane and Shiori Tsuzuki from the anime Witchblade.

Click here for behind-the-scenes photos, and a video of their onstage performance.

(Photos by Danny Choo and The Banzai Effect.)