The winners were Gionna Cabrera, 22, Bb. Pilipinas Universe; Carlene Aguilar, 22, Bb. PilipinasWorld; and Precious Lara Quigaman, 22, Bb. Pilipinas-International.
Wendy Valdez, 22, who was first runner-up for the three major titles, was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Tourism.
Second runner-up was 22-year- old Melanie Ediza.
Cabrera will represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok, Thailand; Aguilar will be at the Miss World competition in Sanya, China; and Quigaman, at the Miss International pageant in Beijing, China.
The three title- holders were chosen from a field of 23 candidates, who were later narrowed down to 11 semifinalists, from whom five finalists were chosen.
During the question-and-answer portion, one of the judges asked Cabrera about the most important social issues facing women these days. She answered that this is the trampling of the rights of women in many countries.
Aguilar was asked about her happiest moment. She said winning one of the major titles would make her happy because that would be a fulfillment of a dream and would pave the way to her helping the poor.
Asked what is the essence of being a woman, Quigaman said this is "knowing how to live and love as a woman and being a friend to everyone."
Each of the three titleholders won crowns, cash, and prizes, worth P3 million
It was a dream come true for Cabrera to win the Bb. Pilipinas Universe title, saying it will give her the chance to be an ambassador of goodwill to the UN.
She is expected to graduate next month from the University of Asia and the Pacific, with a degree in integrated marketing communications.
Rod Cabrera, father of Gioanna, said that his daughter was encouraged by a talent agent to join the contest.
Cabrera, a former newsman, now chief of the party Alliance for Mindanao OffGrid Renewable Energy (AMORE), said his daughter wants to be a diplomat someday and the pageant would help her in pursuing her dream.
Special awards were also given during the pageant, that featured a fantasy/fairytale- inspired theme.
Cabrera was also awarded Miss Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Long Gown; Aguilar, Miss PAL and Bb. Avon Color; Ma. Micaela Isabel Padilla, Miss Friendship; Lois Montes, Best in Talent, and Ricamarie Ann Taylor, Smart Texter’s Choice and Manila Bulletin Readers’ Choice.
Other candidates who made it to the semi-finals were Taylor, Kristine Santiago, Joanne Padilla, Mari-Flor Perez, Joanna Rafbel Serrano, and Marie May Rosalien Paloma.
Among the judges were Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, chairman of the panel,Britain’s new Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Beckingham, Shopwise President Donnie Tantoco III, Ginebra basketball player Erik Menk, movie-TV actress Angel Locsin, and business leaders.
The show was hosted by actor Richard Gomez, TV host Paolo Bediones, and movie-TV actor Raymond Gutierrez.
Now on its 42nd year, the Bb. Pilipinas 2005 pageant remains the country’s most renowned and highly anticipated pageant. It is is a continuing project of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), an organization founded by beauty queen and civic leader Mrs. Stella Marquez de Araneta. It hopes to raise funds for the various socio-civic projects supported by the BPCI.
