Aklan beauty up for tough Binibining Pilipinas challenge

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Three weeks from now, Aklan beauty Ladylyn Riva will compete for the 2014 Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

The 26-year old native of Nabas, Aklan will be joining the country’s prestigious beauty tilt for the second time.

Beauty pageant bloggers and followers have high expectations this year for Kagandahang Flores beauty camp-trained Ladylyn to clinch top spots in the Binibining Pilipinas.

Ladylyn, who is sporting No. 39 on March 30 grand coronation night at Smart Araneta Coliseum, is the reigning Miss Casino Filipino queen. The legged beauty also won the 2011 Miss Resorts World. 

She also participated in the 2011 Binibining Pilipinas and the 2013 Miss Bikini Philippines.

“Both harder and easier being a second timer (in Binibining Pilipinas). It is harder because I am up against tough competition, but easier also because I'm more relaxed and enjoying the experience,” she said in her official Facebook account.

She is also ranked No. 2 in Binibining Pilipinas 2014 National Costume Competition, which was part of the annual fashion show at the Big Dome.

Ladylyn’s passion has always been the preservation of environment. She believes that locals and tourists must do their share in sustaining the viability of Boracay Island and other tourist destinations.

Ladylyn said, “she is working on very close to her heart.”

In an online beauty blog, Ladylyn spoke that “simple things such as ceasing the use of plastic bags, stiffer penalties for littering, and proper segregation of garbage can all be done with a minimum of legislation.”

 “Mangrove forests, she says, are often sacrificed to construct beach resorts. But what many do not know is that mangroves act as a shock absorber to approaching typhoons.”

Being active in tennis, badminton and wakeboarding, Ladylyn is also a registered nurse, commercial and print model and a make-up artist. 

In the official Binibining Pilipinas introduction of candidates, Ladylyn said "she believes that her experience in the pageant will make her a better person overall, and that it would help her get over her habit of doubting herself and her capabilities."

She sacrificed her job since this is her last year of eligibility in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. She is determined to win one of the crowns as a tribute to her grandmother, who recently passed away.  

Ladylyn considers passing the nursing board exam as one of the best moments of her life.