Sunday, 22 December 2024

Once a Binibini, Always a Binibini: Aida Margarita Gaerlan - Tomassini

Six months ago, I watched the introduction of the 2024 Binibining Pilipinas (video below) when I noticed a familiar face in a photo they used in the video. I screenshotted that part and scrutinized it. It was Margarita!😆  

                               

Our dear 'Margarita' was Aida Gaerlan, a contestant at the 1964 Binibining Pilipinas, representing Baguio City. That was the first ever Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant. It was won by Ms. Myrna Panlilio Borromeo. Margarita told me she was named Miss Luzon. 


And thanks to Ms. Irene of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities for sharing with me a digital copy of that year's souvenir memorabilia (above), we have the photographs of the beautiful contestants of 1964.

According to the video, the original coronation night was July 3, 1964, but a very strong Typhoon Dading  caused damages in Manila and Central Luzon that day and pushed the coronation night to July 5, 1964, a Sunday. I highlighted in pink Margarita's photograph below.  

I met Margarita and her husband, Maurizio, here in Seoul, Korea, and were the among the most wonderful, thoughtful and caring couples I have known. With our other dear friends in Seoul, we were one big family! After Maurizio retired in 2010, they went back home to Rome and invited me to visit them. I did and I stayed at their home in the quiet Monte Sacro neighborhood, which was a bus and a tram away from the Vatican City. 

During our parties and get-togethers in Seoul, I was always the one taking photographs, and Margarita was the best in posing! I guess, once a binibini, always a binibini!

Sadly, our dear Margarita passed years ago, but today, December 22, her family and friends remember her on her birthday. 🙏

Happy birthday in Heaven, our dearest Margarita!💗

(Binibining Pilipinas 1964 Miss Luzon - 
Aida Margarita Gaerlan-Tomassini)

#binibiningpilipinas #missphilippines


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