MANILA, Philippines?More changes will be implemented in the 2010 Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

After the early selection of official contestants almost two months before coronation night, there is now a special pre-pageant show, to be telecast tonight at 10:30 on GMA 7.

Ali Nocom-Dedicatoria, program manager for official network partner GMA 7, said they proposed the idea to Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI). ?In the past, the coronation night usually ran for about four hours. Having the pre-pageant ceremonies will shorten the final night by about 50 percent,? she told Inquirer Entertainment during the candidates? press presentation recently at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.

The swimsuit and evening gown parade will be incorporated in the pre-pageant night.

?Viewers should still look forward to the pre-pageant, where the winners of special awards will be announced,? the network official said.

The regional costume competition also returns this year after being scrapped in the ?90s. ?The costumes will be executed by different Filipino designers. The Best in Regional Costume award will also be given during the pre-pageant,? Dedicatoria added.

Genny Marcial, corporate affairs and PR manager of BPCI?s parent organization Araneta Group, said the staging of pre-pageant ceremonies was a mutual decision of GMA 7 and the pageant officials. ?This will give the public more time to get to know the candidates,? she said.

Idea from Miss U tilt

The idea was actually adapted from the Miss Universe pageant, which has been holding televised pre-pageant rites for the past several years. It features the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Other countries, including pageant-crazy Venezuela, do the same.

Dedicatoria promised a ?world-class? pageant for viewers through both the pre-pageant and coronation night. She added: ?Rico Gutierrez, who codirected the fantasy film ?Ang Panday,? will handle the opening segment of the coronation night. That is something everyone should watch out for.?

The Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown and Miss Photogenic awards are also reserved for the finals night, along with the three titles at stake: Bb. Pilipinas-Universe; Bb. Pilipinas-World; and Bb. Pilipinas-International.

Rhiann Ramos, Drew Arellano and Jay-R will host the pre-pageant night.

Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda will serenade the ladies on coronation night. Screen hunks Akihiro Sato, Daniel Matsunaga and Victor Aliwalas will act as escorts.

Dingdong Dantes and Carla Abellana will host the finals night on March 6, 7 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum. GMA 7 airs the pageant at 10 that same night.