Sixty years after Myrna Panlilio was crowned the first Binibining Pilipinas in 1964, a namesake took the title at the heritage pageant’s diamond anniversary- Myrna Toribio Esguerra.
A dusky beauty from Abra, Myrna was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2024 in front of hundreds of past Binibini winners, including Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa.
At the City College of Angeles in Pampanga, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in tourism and management with specialization on MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) events, business administration and management.
A seasoned contesera, Myrna was part of the Miss Teen Philippines 2019 pageant. Unfortunately, she didn’t place in the Top 5, but this batch has now produced three national winners: top winner was Fil-Brazilian Nikki de Moura, who was crowned Miss Grand Philippines in 2023; the second runner-up was Nicole Borromeo, who emerged third runner-up at Miss International 2023; and Myrna.
At the Binibining Pilipinas 2024 finals, Myrna won Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Urban Smiles Dental Clinic Award, Binibining Philippine Airlines, and was among the Top 5 Best in National Costume.
Crusader Against Corruption
Myrna, 24, became a working student at the age of 17, helping ease the burden of her parents who also had to raise her 16 siblings. She knows how it is to work hard and reap the fruits of her labor, and how frustrating it is that Filipino taxpayers are being robbed by our own politicians.
So, this writer had to ask Myrna during her send-off on October 28: ‘It’s a sad reality that our corruption scandals have gained international attention. When you’re with your fellow candidates, how will you defend the Philippines?’
This is the impassioned response of the beauty from Abra:
‘You know, despite all the things that’s happening in our country, especially the things regarding corruption, one thing that is never going to change is the Filipino heart.
‘We Filipinos are very hopeful, and until there’s hope in our hearts, there will always be change. And I will tell that to my co-candidates when I get to Japan, that I hope that they will support the Philippines in every way they can to fight corruption. And I think to fight corruption, it will really have to start with ourselves.
‘Greed should not be our god, but love, kindness, and compassion should be the one who’s leading our nation. And if we can teach this to all the children that we have here in the Philippines, then we can rebuild our system, and hopefully corruption will no longer be in our country. In everything that we do, corruption will no longer be allowed.
‘And the way we think, we should always set it that we are here to serve the people, not just for our own needs, but because the people need a service that is true and from the heart.’
Seventh-Crown Itch
More than any other pageant, it is at the Miss International that Filipinas have performed exceptionally well. Gemma Cruz-Araneta was Miss International 1964, the first Filipina and Asian winner. Aurora Pijuan won in 1970, the first Binibini to achieve the feat; Melanie Marquez in 1979; Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005; Bea Rose Santiago in 2013; and Kylie Verzosa in 2016.
Myrna aims to clinch the elusive seventh crown.
At Myrna’s send-off at World Kitchens at Gateway Mall, Araneta City in Cubao, fellow 2024 queens Jasmin Bungay, Christal Jean de la Cruz and Trisha Martinez; and 2025 Binibinis Katrina Anne Johnson, Dalia Khattab and Kathleen Enid Espenido; and Miss Grand International 2016 First Runner-up Nicole Cordoves were among her excited well-wishers.
A determined Myrna, teary-eyed but with a steely resolve, gave a heartwarming message:
‘You know, I’ve been imagining this day for over a hundred times. But nothing really beats the real thing. Seeing all your faces here, grabe. You know, I’m not gonna say that it’s a waiting time of more than one year. But it’s a preparation for more than one year. Along the way, I saw the beauty in waiting.
‘And ever since I started my career in pageantry, I always appreciate kung gaano kaganda ‘yung waiting time. Because it’s really all about perspective. And the way I see it, it’s an advantage for us.
‘Because I was able to do everything and prepare everything in one year. And right now, if there’s gonna be a mistake, Actually, there will not be a mistake. Because sobrang prepared po tayo.
‘From everything, planchado lahat. And I am so proud that in one year, me and my team were able to visit the three major islands of the Philippines. Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
‘And we saw the beauty of the Philippines. The culture of the Tineg in South Cotabato. And the beauty of Santa Fe, Bantayan Island.
‘And the children from World Vision Philippines to SOS Pilipinas and from around the Philippines. And there I saw children who reflect the same stories that I have when I was a kid.
‘And it was just, my journey, it became even more special. Because I have a reason, a strong reason for why I’m doing this. Kaya maraming maraming salamat po for trusting me.
‘That I have the capability to win the Miss International crown this year. And I’m not gonna make any promises. But the thing that I’m gonna say is, I’m going to Japan with my most authentic self.
‘And my genuine heart and intentions. Thank you so much!’