Push Admin

After PUI status, struggling Binibining Pilipinas candidate now sells fishballs

Article (news)

Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News

<h3>Mentors Catriona Gray, Nicole Cordoves impressed by authentic stories of candidates</h3><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9TWdV-pH5V/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"> </div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"> </div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"> </div><div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9TWdV-pH5V/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div><div style="padding-top:8px"><div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9TWdV-pH5V/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"> </div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"> </div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"><div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"> </div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"> </div></div></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"> </div></div><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9TWdV-pH5V/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Binibining Pilipinas (@bbpilipinasofficial)</a> on <time dateTime="2020-03-04T06:53:06+00:00" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px">Mar 3, 2020 at 10:53pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div><p>MANILA -- The quest for the next Binibining Pilipinas queens continues with several pageant hopefuls baring compelling in-your-guts accounts of their struggle as candidates. </p><p>Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves have been tasked by the Bb. Pilipinas Charities to motivate the candidates in a series of workshops, beginning with #iambinibini, a personal video account of their life stories. </p><p>One of the biggest revelations come from Candidate 19 from Balagtas, Bulacan, Kimberly Ann Tiquestiques, who shared her experience as a COVID-19 person under investigation or PUI at the start the pandemic lockdown last March 2020. </p><p>Experiencing body pain on March 19, Tiquestiques submitted herself for examination to the Bulacan municipal health officer. She was put on isolation as PUI from late March to April 15. It was suspected that she may have contracted the virus from her frequent travels from home to Cubao, Quezon City base of Bb. Pilipinas. </p><p>“Sabi ko, bakit ako pa? Parang mali ito! Pero thankful ako andun ang suporta ng pamilya at mga kaibigan ko,” she said. </p><p>It was a big blow financially for Tiquestiques who helps support her family with her part-time job as model. “Ang daming nagastos nung quarantine ko. Naubos ang naitabi kong savings,” she said. </p><p>Tiquestiques, a Tourism graduate, is not ashamed to disclose that she is now selling street food to earn money. “Naisip ko mag-tindera ako. Nagtitinda ako ng fishballs at kikiam. Binalikan ko &#x27;yung pagtitinda ko nung high school ako. Kailangan ko talaga ng income para makatulong sa pamilya. Kailangang malagpasan natin ‘to!” she said.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sn00IcLQwxM?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Both Gray and Cordoves are impressed by Tiquestiques&#x27; matter-of-fact account of her journey as a beauty contest candidate. </p><p>“You gave us lessons in going through your challenges,&quot; Gray commented after Tiquestiques presented her video. “It wasn’t heavy listening to, it was uplifting. At times, we throw away words like confident, empowered, inspired but it’s totally okay to tell your story. You don’t have to say it’s empowering or I’m glad it’s over because in reality, sometimes we don’t have a happy ending. We are still a work in progress.” </p><p>“Walang script na binabasa, walang gimik, “ Cordoves told ABS-CBN News. “Tiquestiques is a talented storyteller, she used her hugot sa life to turn it into something so effortlessly inspiring.” </p><p>Cordoves likewise cited the raw but inspiring accounts of Binibini candidate from Sultan Kudarat, Honey Perrenas, a vegetable farmer who was allegedly abandoned by her father; and Lovely Mercado from Isabela, a volunteer teacher who helps run her family’s sari-sari stores.</p><p>Both Gray and Cordoves are urging the candidates to share their true life experiences from the heart, setting aside memorized or formulaic narratives. </p><p>Cordoves also shared her sense of fulfillment in being part of the Bb. Pilipinas legacy. “It’s a huge validation for me a teacher. I am honored that they recognize our efforts to pass on our valuable experience in the pageant. It’s also fulfilling to work with Cat who’s my friend. I used to be her mentor and now we’re partners! She surpassed expectations!”</p><p>The uncertainty of the future of beauty pageants in the last five months of the pandemic have admittedly taken a toll on the morale of candidates but Cordoves is happy to note that the 40 Bb. Pilipinas candidates are officially still intact. </p><p>“We shall soon focus our mentoring on the contestants’ advocacies. Nakaka-motivate pa rin sa amin ni Cat to see the girls still making an effort. We also want to encourage them to get their minds off things,” she said. </p><p>The Binibining Pilipinas Charities has yet to set a date for the pageant coronation for the new titlists of Bb. Pilipinas International, Grand International, Globe and Intercontinental.</p>

<p>The quest for the next Binibining Pilipinas queens continues with several pageant hopefuls baring compelling in-your-guts accounts of their struggle as candidates. </p>

The quest for the next Binibining Pilipinas queens continues with several pageant hopefuls baring compelling in-your-guts accounts of their struggle as candidates.

After PUI status, struggling Binibining Pilipinas candidate now sells fishballs

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Lifestyle

After PUI status, struggling Binibining Pilipinas candidate now sells fishballs

Mario Dumaual,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 10, 2020 03:24 PM PHT

Read More:

Binibining Pilipinas

beauty pageant

coronavirus

lockdown

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.