Marie-Ann Umali is Miss Philippines

Marie-Ann Umali is Miss Philippines (Binibining Pilipinas World) 2009. See photos, video and a biography of the beauty queen here.

The beauty pageant took place on Saturday March 7, 2009 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The program was hosted by Paolo Bediones and Iza Calzad and broadcast live in the Philippines over GMA channels.

In total there were three Binibining Pilipinas 2009 winners, the other two winners were Melody Gersbach, crowned Binibining Pilipinas-International and Pamela Bianca Manalo, crowned Binibining Pilipinas-Universe.

Marie-Ann Umali also won the Best in Long Gown and Miss Photogenic plum contests during the pageant. (A talent competition was also held, a week earlier.) She competed against 23 finalists to win the crown; one finalist of the original, Sandra Inez Seifert, was disqualified when it was discovered she had posed for a provocative photo spread in a men’s magazine.


As Binibining Pilipinas World, Marie-Ann Umali will now go on to compete in the Miss World pageant in South Africa later this year.

The beauty pageant, which stretched into the early hours of Sunday morning, March 8, also featured guest appearances from JC Tiuseco, Aljur Abrenica, Dingdong Dantes and the PMA Choir. Additionally, the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. honored the legendary fashion designer Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, Gloria Diaz (Miss Universe 1969), Margie Moran (Miss Universe 1973) and Aurora Pijuan for their noteworthy contributions to Philippine culture and society.

As a biography, Marie-Ann Umali is 22 years old. She was born in Batangas City, Batangas, in the Philippines. She is 5′7″ tall and her measurements are 35-25 1/2-36.

She received a B.S. in tourism and graduated from DLSU College of St. Benilde and she aspires to become a flight attendant and to open and run her own restaurant. She has previously competed in other beauty pageants: 2006 Bb. Lungsod ng Batangas (3rd Runner up) and 2006 Bb. Pilipinas Candidate.

When asked during the pageant what her idea of fun is, she said it is being yourself and living a positive outlook on life.

Now having achieved a goal, Marie-Ann Umali is Miss Philippines and a promising future awaits.

By Patricia