Czarina Catherine Gatbonton, Binibining Pilipinas-World 2010

19-year-old Czarina Catherine Gatbonton from Malolos, Bulacan is the new Binibining Pilipinas-World titleholder and will represent the Philippines in the Miss World 2010 pageant happening this November in Vietnam.

Born on November 19, 1990, Czarina stands 5'10.5 and measures 34-23-34 1/2. She's currently a student of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Czarina joined Bb. Malolos 2009 where she won the title and three special awards: Miss Photogenic, Best in Long Gown and Best in Casual Wear.

She later joined La Bulaqueña 2009 (Miss Bulacan 2009) but lost to Laurese Ann Caparas, who also joined Binibining Pilipinas 2010 but failed to enter the semis.

Though among Mykiru's Top 12 faves, Czarina as Binibining Pilipinas-World is still a surprising one, just like Pamela Bianca Manalo's victory last year and also in 2008 when Janina San Miguel won.

During the Q&A portion, Czarina was the only one who answered in Tagalog (with full confidence) and maybe that made her score high from the judges, including those foreign judges who did not understand what she said.

WINNING Q& A:
If given another life to live, what would you like to be and why?
"[She answered in Filipino] Akin pong sasagutin ang inyong katanungan sa ating sariling wika, ang wikang Pilipino. Kung ako'y pagbibigyan pong muli ng isa pang buhay, mas gugustuhin ko pong maging halam...PUNO! Puno na nagbibigay sa atin ng hininga, na...nagbibigay sa atin ng buhay." [English translation: I will answer your question in our own language, the Philippine language. If I were given another life, I would rather be a TREE, a tree that gives us breath...that gives us life.]

She is also the only pure Filipina among the three titleholders this year. Binibining Pilipinas-International 2010 Krissa Mae Kleiner is half-American while Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj is half-Indian.

Aside from the title, Czarina also won Manila Bulletin Readers' Choice Award.

Have you realized? She looks like Wendy Valdez, who was Binibining Pilipinas 2005 1st Runner Up, also a Pinoy Big Brother ex-housemate and now an actress.

Photo Credits: BPCI, Bruce Casanova and Jory Rivera