Bianca Manalo’s sister joins Bb. Pilipinas for the second time

This year’s edition of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant (to be held on April 17) has attracted an interesting mix of beauty queen hopefuls — from neophyte beauties such as a 26-year-old Kim Ross Delos Santos to pageant veterans like Sissel Ria Rabajante

Among the standout candidates is number 28, Nichole Marie Manalo of Pampanga. As her name might suggest, she’s the sister of actress and 2009 Miss Universe Philippines titleholder Bianca Manalo.

Nichole, 26, landed in the top 15 of the 2014 Binibining Pilipinas pageant. That same year, current Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach was a fellow candidate, though she did not land in the winners’ circle.

“Last year, alam ko marami pa akong kailangang ayusin sa sarili ko. One year is not enough time for you to fix yourself,” Nichole said when asked why she did not join Bb. Pilipinas immediately after her first attempt. “Sinigurado ko na kung babalik ako, bigay todo na. Walang kahit anong aspect na kulang.

“Alam ko na itong taon na ito, buo ako. So why not try?”

As a Bb. Pilipinas “repeater” — a term used by pageant enthusiasts for candidates who’ve entered the beauty contest more than once — Nichole said she is “very inspired by Pia.”

“Kung si Pia nga hindi nag-give up, bakit ako (susuko)? So I tried again,” she said.

“Natatandaan ko, right after our Binibining Pilipinas 2014 pageant, tatlo kami na nasa dressing room. Malungkot kami… Sinabi ko pa nga sa kanya n’un na ‘I-try mo ulit.’ Sinabi niya sa akin, dapat nga hindi na kasi napapagod na siya. But she tried again. So bakit ako hindi?” Nichole added.

The expectations are high for Nichole, especially since she is the younger sister of two beauty queens — Bianca and Kate Manalo, the Bb. Pilipinas-World 2002 titleholder. She is also the niece of Bb. Pilipinas-International 1968 Nenita Ramos. But she does not let that pressure her.

“Hindi ko pa rin naman siya maaalis na coming from a family of beauty queens, the pressure will always be there. But somehow, I was able to prepare. I was able to prepare harder. So bakit ako kakabahan? Bakit ako maprepressure kung alam kong binigay ko naman ang lahat,” she explained.

“It’s a disadvantage because of the pressure but she gives me useful tips,” Nichole said of Bianca. “Advantage rin siya.”

Nichole said she is calmer, more prepared and more confident this time around.

“Possible ang back-to-back (win),” Nichole said when asked if she thinks the Philippines can win the Miss Universe crown again.