Binibining Pilipinas 2026 winners’ post-coronation musings
The recently crowned Binibining Pilipinas queens and runners-up just proved that there is no single formula to winning a pageant because the four of them tell different stories with their diverse backgrounds.
Bb. Pilipinas International Gwendoline Meliz Soriano has had a long journey to the crown. She was already selected as an official candidate four years ago in 2022, but withdrew from the competition for personal reasons.
As for Bb. Pilipinas Globe Sasha-Juli Belle Lacuna, her victory tells a story of redirection. She was crowned Bb. Kanlahi in 2024, making her Tarlac’s official delegate to the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant.
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The two saw each other at last year’s Miss Universe Philippines pageant. Soriano advanced to the Top 12, while Lacuna made it to the Top 24. Ahtisa Manalo won the crown, sending her to the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand where she finished fourth overall.
“We are all unique. We all went through a lot of different stuff. There are things that the publlic doesn’t know about us. And everything that we’ve been through makes us stronger,” Soriano told Inquirer Entertainment.
Lacuna underscored the wealth of experiences collectively held by all 35 candidates in this year’s pageant. “We all have different backgrounds, we all have different experiences. We all have different ages…The fact that we all got close together, we all got to share and hear each other’s stories, everything truly happens for a reason,” she said.
As a certified pageant neophyte, Bb. Pilipinas first runner-up Julianne Raine Antonio trod a path that was far different from the ones Soriano and Lacuna took.
Although she may not be a pageant veteran like the two queens, Antonio has been familiar with Bb. Pilipinas because she saw the pageant’s posters whenever she joined her father William during his professional basketball matches at the Big Dome.
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“My message would be, don’t overthink, and then just trust in God’s plan. It’s better than what you have in store for yourself. He really wants what’s best for you, and you just have to put your 100 percent into anything that is given to you and in a new journey. And just pray and relax, and have fun,” Antonio said.
Bb. Pilipinas second runner-up Tracy Mae Sunio’s story was one of redemption. She first joined the pageant, her first national competition, in its 60th anniversary edition in 2024. She landed a Top 15 spot that year.
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“Turn pain into power, and power into purpose. That’s my guiding light throughout this journey. Because for the past two years in my hiatus, I found my purpose. and that’s the reason why I joined,” she said.
During the crucial final question round of the competition, Sunio said earlier that she returned to the Bb. Pilipinas pageant to push for “holistic elderly wellness” in the country.
“When my father died a few months ago, I experienced first hand how hard it is to be able to take care of our elderly, and at the same time provide for them,” she said.
Soriano, Lacuna, Antonio and Sunio now join the roster of distinguished Bb. Pilipinas queens who have showcased their grace, elegance and heart for service on and beyond the pageant stage.
Soriano will represent the Philippines at the 65th Miss International pageant next year, while Lacuna will be competing at this year’s edition of The Miss Globe pageant in Thailand in November. /ra