Binibining Cabanatuan 2023 candidates wow in their ‘Philippine Carnival’ costumes
Bb. Cabanatuan 2023 bets show off ‘carnival costume’ at 73rd Banatu Festival
CABANATUAN CITY – Thirteen beautiful ladies vying for the “Binibining Cabanatuan 2023” beauty pageant crown strutted their wares during the first staging of the event’s “Philippine Carnival Costume” competitions held at the Plaza Lucero open grounds here on Wednesday night, January 25, 2023.
Dr. Jean Yasmin-Cruz, a former city councilor-now-turned city tourism development and promotion officer, said this maiden holding of the “carnival costume” competitions for this year’s beauty pageant was meant to “showcase the talent, creativity, and ingenuity of the Cabanatueño designers” through their elegant Filipiniana masterpieces as worn and displayed by the 13 candidates.
“Sa gabing ito ay nais nating ibahagi hindi lamang sa Lungsod ng Kabanatuan kundi po sa buong Pilipinas at sa buong mundo ang kagandahan at kakayanan ng ating mga designers dito po sa Lungsod ng Cabanatuan, ang kanilang imahinasyon, ang kanilang creation at kung paanong dadalhin ito ng ating mga kandidato (sa Binibining Cabanatuan),” said Dr. Yasmin-Cruz, in her welcome address during the event.
Also introduced during the event as the pageant’s members of the board of judges were Armando Giron, Irma Cecilio, Atty. Rossini Ann Torres, and provincial board member Jojo Matias.
The Binibining Cabanatuan 2023 is one of the most anticipated events of the annual “Banatu Festival” in celebration of the 73rd founding anniversary of Cabanatuan as a component city from January 27 until February 3.
The event carries the theme for this year, “Bagong Sigla at Pag-asa ng Isang Lungsod na Nagkakaisa.”
Incidentally, in view of the celebration, February 3 was declared a special “non-working holiday” in Cabanatuan City by Malacañang, according to Proclamation No. 127 that was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin by the authority of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yasmin-Cruz, a dentist by profession and who is the architect behind the “minimalist” lighting designs and decorations at the Plaza Lucero, added that the Bb. Cabanatuan 2023’s grand coronation night will be held on February 2, also here at the Plaza Lucero.
“Ang formal opening ng Banatu Festival ay sa January 31, may Mass tayo ng 8:30 a.m. after noon ay pangungunahan ni Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara at PO Vice Mayor Jay Vergara ang selebrasyon at ang lahat ng events na ito ay hindi magaganap kung hindi dahil sa pag-iisip ni Mayor Myca Vergara na siya po ang nagbigay ng order para dito sa okasyon,” said the city tourism officer.
Other activities highlighting the eight-day-long festivities include the “Sayaw Cabanatuan” on January 27 and 28; the Department of Education (DepEd) night on Jan. 29; Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) night on Jan.30; the Ginoong Tricycle Driver 2023 on January 31; the Miss Gay Cabanatuan coronation night and wellness check-up by the city health office on Feb. 1; Pet Day by the City Veterinary Office on Feb. 2; and the Langgoniza Festival, Araw ng Magsasaka, Zumbang Gabi and “Gawad Parangal” for the “Natatanging Anak ng Kabanatuan” on Feb. 3, 2023.
