Baguio, Tarlac queens rule Binibining Pilipinas 2026
MANILA, Philippines — After withdrawing in 2022, Baguio City queen Gwendoline Meliz Soriano returned stronger to claim the Binibining Pilipinas International 2026 crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday.
This is the first time in 10 years that a candidate from Baguio won the title since Kylie Verzosa in 2016, who eventually won Miss International 2016.
Since then, the country has yet to win the International crown as well.
Soriano bested 34 other candidates with Sasha-Juli Belle Lacuna of Tarlac winning the Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2026 crown.
She took five special awards, including Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown.
Dumaguete’s Julianne Raine Antonio and Tracy Mae Sunio of Bacolod were hailed as first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively.
During the first round of Q&A, Soriano was asked by Sen. Risa Hontiveros: How do political and government issues affect you when you have been very busy for months already with your goal of winning a crown tonight?
“As a Filipina aiming not just for the crown, but for this platform so I could finally speak and stand for the things that I believe in, I’ve been very aware of our government issues, even global issues,” Soriano answered.
“And I’m proud to say that right now, as I stand here, I’m very happy that you are here so that we can have discussions about things that matter in our country. And I would like to also encourage everyone, let’s be aware and let’s demand the things that we deserve for the country,” she added.
Soriano sealed the deal when the finalists were asked during the Top 4 Q&A: “What future do you envision for yourself, and how will a Binibining Pilipinas title help you get to that destination?”
“I envision myself to be an aspirational leader. And with the Binibini crown, hopefully I get to inspire other people to believe in the beauty of their dreams and to be faithful. I’m here now not because of my own strength, not because of my own beauty and skills, but only by the grace of God,” the Baguio City queen said.
“And I am here to share that hope, that message, that hopefully, even after this and beyond the crown, I will be remembered as someone who has a big faith and a big heart,” she added.
For her part, Lacuna was asked in the Top 12 Q&A: “How do you value and protect your privacy now that we’ve all lost much of our privacy because of the intrusive nature of social media?”
“This is one of the core factors on why I’ve really considered joining pageants in the first place. I protect my own privacy. And through social media, I set my own boundaries,” Lacuna responded.
“This is why I encourage everyone to please respect us public figures and everyone you interact with online. Because behind every screen, everyone is just as human as you are,” she added.
She secured the crown with the answer in the Top 4 Q&A: “The values of Binibini Pilipinas (are) all about charity work and are all about serving the Filipino people. And my life’s purpose is to put myself in situations of inconvenience in order to be of service to the Filipino people.”
“And Binibining Pilipinas is already set on that legacy. And I stepped into this pageant in order to be a vessel, to be part of that legacy, and continue up with the work of the organization that it is already built upon,” she added.
Lacuna is glad to clinch one of the crowns and is looking forward to competing in Thailand for the upcoming Miss Globe competition and making the country proud.
“It feels so surreal. One main thing that I was really worried about, although it was out of my control, is that I put all of the time into Binibini and to clinch one of the crowns would pay off,” the beauty queen told reporters on the sidelines of Binibining Pilipinas 2026 coronation night.
“Now that the crown is in my head, I hope that I made my province proud. I hope in the coming Miss Globe this year, I hope that I’ll make the Philippines proud,” she added.
With the Philippines winning the last Miss Globe title in 2021, Lacuna is laser-focused, sharing her initial game plan as she sets her sights on giving the country another crown in October.
“Tuloy-tuloy po tayo. Magre-relax but at the same time, Miss Globe in our hands now. I heard that it’s gonna be in Thailand and Miss Globe (2025 Chayathanus Saradatta) earlier said that she’ll see me there. Which is so exciting. Last year sa Albania, (and) since Asia na lang po tayo, tatalon na lang po tayo,” Lacuna said.
“I would review the former pageants of Miss Globe, find out what the organization seeks in the future Miss Globe and work towards that. We have to play the part in being the next Miss Globe,” she added.
For her part, Soriano felt that all of her hard work paid off as she won the Binibining Pilipinas International title.
“I couldn’t believe it. It hasn’t sunk in yet. Maybe, later if I am able to rest but now I am full of joy and gratitude. My supporters and family are here. I got to achieve this crown,” the beauty queen said.
“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a kid and now that I’m here, it feels so surreal. Masaya lang po talaga ako na all the hard work really paid off tonight. It’s not just me, it’s really a collaborative effort between my team,” she added.
After withdrawing in 2022, Soriano felt it was perfect timing that led her back to the competition.
“I believe in perfect timing. In 2022, I have to face a lot of losses and failures that time, with the loss of my dad and in this journey, I just trusted that this is the perfect timing that I get to do my duties and do the things that I love — better, wiser and stronger,” she said.
While Binibining Pilipinas International 2025 Katrina Anne Johnson’s international competition is still happening in November, Soriano stressed that her work begins now to clinch the International crown next year.
“Today is the start and the beginning of all the preparations needed for the international pageant. I’m so excited to go to Japan and learn about their culture and serve the people and to join their initiatives, their advocacies,” Soriano said.
“They’re very advocacy-driven and I’m very excited for that because they’re very aligned with BPCI and they’re very aligned with the things that I want to do,” she added.
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