More than giving people the time to reflect and ponder on their spiritual standing, the holy week also signals the start of the Filipino summer. This is the season when Pinoys really take the time to hit the country’s world-renowned beaches, donned in the skimpiest suits, and showcase the fit and sexy muscles and curves they worked so hard for. While the pandemic deprived them of actually practicing this annual tradition under the sun last year, Filipinos excitedly made plans to stage their beach comebacks this year. With COVID19 cases rising to, what is now thought, as a second or third surge, and even to new record highs, the government has been left with no other choice but to keep us locked in homes again for a second summer. For now, we can only wish and dream of what ifs, for a summer we will most likely miss—yet again.
For this edition of the Thillmaker, let us venture into one of those what ifs: What if the situation were different and this were a non-pandemic summer? Since the beaches are a place to see beautiful people and to be seen with them, who do we want to see frolicking and enjoying the summer waves? And where could we possibly see them? Here are six of the loveliest and sexiest Binibining Pilipinas candidates who shared with us their plans for this hot and sizzling time of the year. Take a close look at their photos as one of them could very well win the Best in Swimsuit plum!
SAMANTHA PANLILIO
Of course, in the islands of the Philippines! I usually spend my summer months in Fridays Boracay or Fridays Puerto Galera helping promote and manage my family business while traveling and discovering new dive spots around the area. I am also very much looking forward to getting a professional driver’s license this summer!
PATRICIA BABISTA
For summer, I plan on visiting some private beaches should travel restrictions permit, of course, while still following health and safety protocols and making sure I test negative for COVID. Should the situation worsen, which I hope not, throwback photos will have to do. But who knows, we might be able to showcase our swimsuit bods on the Binibining Pilipinas stage soon!
MAUREEN MONTAGNE
Health and wellness is a huge part of my life. It’s all about functionality and treating my body like a temple. As soon as the pageant ends, I hope to return to Siargao to volunteer, get back to my personal businesses, and get back to nature. The pandemic really opened my eyes to how much I value the outdoors and our beautiful natural wonders.
KIMBERLY TIQUESTIQUES
Cliché as it may sound, but I really wish to showcase and flaunt my swimsuit body this summer in Boracay. I’ve never been in this place and as we all know, it was rehabilitated a couple of years ago and I hope I can have the chance to personally see the beauty of this island paradise. And my summer plan is just to make this quarantine a more memorable one to my family and loved ones. Maybe we can just put an inflatable swimming pool infront of our house and we’ll eat together. For me, that is something special that we can truly treasure because at the end of the day, it is not about the place but the people I am spending my time with.
HANNAH ARNOLD
First, I would like to tell everyone, in order to have a swimsuit body: Step 1: put a swimsuit on your body you’re ready!
I will be flaunting this swimsuit body on the Binibining Pilipinas pageant stage. I cannot ait to step out and show everyone what I’ve got.
Before summer ends, I would love to go back to Masbate, it’s been one year since I was last there and the beaches of my beautiful province are like no other. Tara!
FRANCESCA TARUC
I would definitely love to go to Boracay! First, because it's in the Philippines! As we all know, we have the best beaches in the world! Second, I have really good memories in Boracay. It's a place where I healed during the lowest point of my life, and where I realize that life is really wonderful! My summer plans will be just like last year. Same time last year, I was locked down in Vigan. I never really got bored there because it’s such beautiful and relaxing place. A place where I could just unwind and enjoy nature. There are a lot of things you can do in Vigan such as going to the beach, walking in the beautiful streets of Calle Crislogo, feed different kind of animals in Baluarte and the likes. And of course, hopefully when this pandemic is over, Aqua Planet in Clark will be open again soon so that we can all enjoy their different giant slides and pools.