Kim Ross Delos Santos and the Binibining Pilipinas Disqualification Issue

A lot of Filipino beauty pageant fanatics rooting for a Miss Universe back-to-back win which only Venezuela has done thus far were disappointed to learn about Kim Ross Delos Santos disqualification from the Binibining Pilipinas 2016 pageant.

On the Binibining Pilipinas website, Delos Santos who was originally assigned the number Binibining 20 was removed and replaced by another hopeful from the wait-list named Geisha Naganuma. The disqualification grounds cited Delos Santos' photograph with an international model who was completely naked but not Delos Santos herself. And whilst the photo never came out in any publication which Jonas Gaffud contended, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) lawyers held her disqualification final and executory.

Although her die-hard fans were sad about her disqualification, some of them thought that this might be a blessing in disguise for her as she might be more fit to be the second Filipina Miss World. It should be noted that there were a lot of Bb. Pilipinas aspirants in the past who got disqualified from the pageant but snagged an international title from another beauty pageant.

Below are other notable Binibining Pilipinas aspirants who were disqualified from the Binibining Pilipinas pageants in the past.

Joey Mead King - Binibining Pilipinas 2001

Joey Mead King - Binibining Pilipinas 2001. When Miriam Quiambao failed to wow the judges with her answer in the Miss Universe 1999 Final Q & A, and the subsequent miss of Nina Ricci Alagao to the Miss Universe 2000 Top 10, Filipino pageant fanatics thought of no other candidate to represent Philippines in a total package than Joey Mead. A video jock for Channel [V] International in Hongkong from 1990 to 1996, Mead has modeled internationally for several brands including Heads and Shoulders and Lexus alongside.

Originally assigned the number Binibini 26, she was removed from the official list because of alleged citizenship issues. Eventually, it was Zorayda Ruth Andam who bagged the top title Bb. Pilipinas - Universe 2001.

Juliana Palermo - Binibining Pilipinas 2003

Even before the controversy between her and Cezar Montano blew up, Juliana Palermo, whose real name is Alvy July Juanico was already controversial when she was removed from the official list of Binibining Pilipinas 2003 candidates. While a beauty queen herself -- bagged Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2002 title --she was not given the opportunity to represent Davao City in the pageant for reasons not disclosed to public. The hype paved the way for her to be cast to a lot of appearances both in film and on television though.

Carla Gay Balingit bagged the top title Bb. Pilipinas - Universe 2003 title.

Sandra Seifert - Binibining Pilipinas 2009

A well-travelled nurse and international model from Bacolod, Sandra has been assigned the number Binibini 13 in the Bb. Pilipinas 2009 pageant. A few days before the finals, she was deemed disqualified because of her endorsement contracts conflicting with that of the pageant sponsors. Fueled by her fan-base support and prodding, she joined Miss Earth Philippines 2009 which she won. Eventually, she bagged the Miss Earh Air 2009 title.

Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2009 winner was Bianca Manalo.

Megan Young - Binibining Pilipinas 2012

While still with ABS-CBN and Star Magic in 2011, Megan Young has been undergoing training with Aces and Queens in preparation for the Bb. Pilipinas 2012 pageant. She appeared for screening and took all the hype away from Janine Tugunon and Mary Jean Lastimosa to be the next Miss Universe Philippines. However, prior to the announcement of the official list of candidates, Megan Young withdrew from the competition. But rumors has it that she was disqualified from the pageant because of her sexy cover photo for a men's magazine.

The withdrawal or disqualification paved the way for her to star in her first leading role in the soap Precious Hearts Romances: Hiyas. She joined Miss World Philippines the following year and made history by winning the first Miss World crown for the Philippines.