PAGEANT Circle

The reigning Miss Grand International Abena Appiah has kicked off her first international tour since winning her title. She is scheduled to visit the US, Ecuador, and Mexico. Now based in Thailand for her reign, Abena left the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Saturday, May 29 for her first destination, the USA. Part of her month-long itinerary is to attend as a special guest at the Miss Mexico 2021 pageant in Chihuahua this July. The singer and model of Ghanian descent became the first black woman and the first US representative to win the Miss Grand International pageant last March. Photos: Miss Grand International

After several schedule changes for its coronation night, the highly anticipated Binibining Pilipinas 2021 pageant has been moved from June 27 to July 11. The announcement was made in a virtual press conference for the homecoming of Miss Grand International 2020 first runner-up Samantha Bernardo last Friday, May 21. Here are some inspiring Binibining Pilipinas candidates and their personal advocacies in their latest shoot with Raymond Saldaña: Photography: Raymond Saldaña / Videography: Owen Suan Reyes / Styling: Patrick Henry, Justine Aliman / Associates: Sasa Magno and Queen Star Francis Ocampo / Set Design: Arvin Pingol of Eventistry Events

Adriana Moya has been officially announced by The Finalists organization on Saturday, May 21 as Miss Grand Costa Rica 2021. The 26-year-old architect from San Pedro, Montes de Oca, succeeded Gabriela Jara and will represent her country Costa Rica at Miss Grand International 2021 possibly in Bangkok later this year. No stranger to beauty pageants, Adriana was named first runner-up during the 47th edition of Miss Intercontinental in Manila, Philippines. "It will be my fourth time representing Costa Rica internationally, but the butterflies still feel the same and the emotion is the same," she wrote on social media. "I can't wait to live for the last time, together with you, one of my greatest passions," she added. Photos: Adriana Moya / Instagram

Alba Dunkerbeck was crowned Miss Grand Spain 2021 in a national competition held last Sunday, May 16 at Bahia Feliz, Gran Canaria. The 19-year-old student of international business and global marketing from Costa Canaria bested 26 other beauties to win her national title. In a post on social media, she expressed her commitment to work for bringing the first golden crown to her country. "It is a great pride but also a great challenge, and like all challenges I am going to achieve them," she said. Alba will represent Spain at the Miss Grand International 2021 competition whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Photos: Jose Sanchez / Miss Grand Spain

Indonesian-English model from Bali, Sophia Rogan, has been officially named Miss Grand Indonesia 2021 on Thursday, May 20. The 19-year-old beauty was chosen to succeed Miss Grand Indonesia 2020 and Miss Grand International 2020 third runner-up Aurra Kharishma. "With this platform, my goal is to embody an authentic and genuine spirit, and use my voice to stand up for what I believe in - because at the end of the day making a positive impact in the world is what really matters," she wrote on her official social media page. Sophia will represent her country at the Miss Grand International 2021 competition whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Photos: Mozawahyu Photography

Miss Mexico 2021 grand final will be held this July 3 in the northwestern Mexican state of Chihuahua. The recent announcement was made by the Miss Mexico Organization on its official social media pages. Chihuahua's Ashley Alvídrez, the reigning Miss Mexico, has been waiting to crown her successor who will compete in the 70th Miss World pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico, later this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 4th edition of the national competition has been postponed a few times. The national organization is responsible for sending Mexican representatives to Miss Grand International and Miss World pageants. Its greatest achievement was producing the first-ever Mexican woman to win Miss World, Vanessa Ponce (Miss World 2018). Photo: Miss Mexico Organization

The 57th edition of Binibining Pilipinas will be held on Saturday, April 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Thirty-four contestants are vying for the beauty titles at stake. Binibining Pilipinas 2021 winners are expected to represent the Philippines at the next Miss International, Miss Grand International, Miss Intercontinental, and Miss Globe international competitions. The anticipated national pageant, to be hosted by actor Xian Lim and former Miss Universe Catriona Gray, will take place with no live audience allowed at the venue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bea Patricia Magtanong of Bataan, Samantha Mae Bernardo of Palawan, Emma Mary Tiglao of Pampanga, and Leren Mae Bautista will crown their respective successors at the end of the event. From the latest official shoot by photographer Raymond Saldaña, we picked our Top 9 favorites among 34 contestants only based on their photos. Meet our favorites: Photos: Raymond Saldaña / Bb. Pilipinas (Official)