Stella Marquez Araneta at opening of Bb. Pilipinas 2023 glam exhibit at Gateway Mall in Araneta City on April 12 (Facebook photos)

Guess who made a surprise visit at a special event of Bb. Pilipinas?

Stella Marquez Araneta, founder of Bb. PIlipinas Charities Inc. and Bb. Pilipinas pageant, greeted the 40 official candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2023 at the opening of the glam photo exhibit of the girls at Gateway Mall in Araneta City on April 12.

The candidates were amazed at Mrs. Araneta who shook hands and engaged in brief conversations with them. She also posed for photos with the girls.

Even pageant fans expressed happiness in seeing Mrs. Araneta joining the pre-pageant event for Bb. Pilipinas.

Mrs. Araneta lessened her public appearances following the pandemic.

Under the leadership of Mrs. Araneta, the annual Binibining Pilipinas Pageant has become the biggest and most anticipated beauty event in the Philippines, with an impressive roster of empowered women who showcased Filipino beauty, intellect, culture, and values before the international stage.

Mrs. Araneta is the first winner of the Miss International beauty pageant in 1960.

Originally from Colombia, Mrs. Araneta settled in the Philippines when she married Jorge Araneta, CEO, chairman and president of the Araneta Group.

The grand coronation of the 2023 Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant will be held at the Araneta Coliseum on May 28.