Just a few minutes after news broke that former Miss Earth Air 2012 Stephanie Stefanowitz made it to the Top 55 of this year's Binibining Pilipinas 2017 screening, a lot of pageant fans got excited about the idea of another successful back-to-back-crossover win from Miss Earth Philippines to Binibining Pilipinas title. The last time it happened was in 2001 courtesy of Carlene Aguilar.
However, in the next twenty-four-hours, pageant fans' excitement turned into disappointment upon not seeing Stefanowitz' name in the list of Final 40 candidates. How did that happen? What are the underlying reasons why Stefanowitz' sure-win Binibining Pilipinas 2017 crown-bid ended that early. Pageant fans thought of the politics going on inside Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., the organization behind the Binibining Pilipinas pageant as the main reason. Why? Stefanowitz and most of Miss Earth Philippines beauties are from Kagandahang Flores (KF) camp. On the other hand, it's arch-rival beauty camp Aces and Queens led by Jonas Gaffud is behind Megan Young's Miss World 2013, Pia Wurtzbach's Miss Universe 2015, and Kylie Versoza's Miss International 2016 win. Some of these Aces and Queens beauties sat as members of the Binibining Pilipinas 2017 screening committee. Oh, did I say I smell politics during the deliberation?
Well, anyways, here's the list of the Final 40 candidates of this year's Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
| 1. Ana Patricia Asturias |
| 2. Leitz Camyll M. Ang |
| 3. Jessica M. Ramirez |
| 4. Dane Felisse R. Marasigan |
| 5. Mae Lanie Chan |
| 6. Arienne Louise Braga Calingo |
| 7. Maria Gail Devora Tobes |
| 8. Gabriela Patricia M. Ortega |
| 9. Katarina Sonja A. Rodriguez |
| 10. Joselle S. Mariano |
| 11. Kristi Rose D. Cequeña |
| 12. Rachel Peters |
| 13. Maria Camille P. Manalo |
| 14. Jennyline Carla F. Malpaya |
| 15. Vanessa N. Saliba |
| 16. Juliana M. Kapeundl |
| 17. Ma. Bejieleen T. Nama |
| 18. Thoreen D. Halvosen |
| 19. Sarah Jireh C. Asido |
| 20. Arah A. Salientes |
| 21. Beatrice O. Valente |
| 22. Mae Liezel J. Ramos |
| 23. Larah Grace Lacap |
| 24. Clarice Marion E. Villareal |
| 25. Chanel Olive V. Thomas |
| 26. Nelda C. Ibe |
| 27. Christagale Borja |
| 28. Ruffa Nava |
| 29. Angelique Celine L. De Leon |
| 30. Jamaica Elysse D. Ambal |
| 31. Karla May R. Manongsong |
| 32. Dindi Joy Pajares |
| 33. Kimberly L. Pajares |
| 34. Maria Angelica A. De Leon |
| 35. Sirene Sutton |
| 36. Charmaine F. Elima |
| 37. Jehza Mae Huelar |
| 38. Elizabeth Durado Clenci |
| 39. Kristel N. Guelos |
| 40. Sammie Anne L. Legaspi |
It seems that controversy always hounds the Binibining Pilipinas pageant every year. There's no way of knowing what else will shock or excite the pageant fans as the events unfold in this year's edition of the pageant.
