By Neil Ramos
At A Glance
- Baguio City's Gwendoline Meliz Soriano and Tarlac's Sasha-Juli Belle Lacuna emerged victorious at the Binibining Pilipinas 2026 coronation night, winning the International and Globe crowns, respectively.
Baguio City's Gwendoline Meliz Soriano and Tarlac's Sasha-Juli Belle Lacuna emerged as the country's newest beauty queens after capturing the top titles at the Binibining Pilipinas 2026 coronation night held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, July 18.
Soriano was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2026, succeeding Katrina Anne Johnson. She will represent the Philippines at the Miss International pageant next year.
Meanwhile, Lacuna was named Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2026, taking over the title from Annabelle McDonnell.
Completing the winners' circle were Julianne Raine Antonio of Dumaguete, who was named first runner-up, and Tracy Mae Sunio of Bacolod, who finished as second runner-up.
The four finalists advanced to the last stage of the competition after surviving the Top 12 and two rounds of question-and-answer segments, where they tackled topics ranging from personal growth and women's empowerment to artificial intelligence and the role of pageantry in today's society.
Soriano impressed the judges with a heartfelt answer about trusting God's plan and embracing failures as stepping stones to success.
Soriano entered the final round as one of the night's strongest contenders after sweeping several special awards. She won Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Binibining Philippine Airlines, Binibining Urban Smiles, and Miss SnowCaps Radiance, making her one of the most decorated candidates of the competition.
The pageant also introduced Binibining Tourism as a new special award, with Pauline Thea Ann Ibuyan of Aklan becoming its inaugural recipient.
Other special awardees included Georgette Nicole Coronacion of Carmona, Cavite as Binibining Friendship, Zilanni Eve Rojas of Zamboanga City as Face of Binibini, Samantha Marie Zabarte of Dasmariñas as Manila Bulletin Readers' Choice, Jarina Sandhu of Cauayan City, Isabela as Binibining The MedClub, and Anne Klein Castro of Pampanga as Nustar Online Binibini.
Five candidates were likewise recognized in the Best in National Costume competition: Mylene Manschus of Tanza, Cavite; Ain Niqyla Abad of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Samantha Marie Zabarte of Dasmariñas; Iris Oresca of the Bicol Region; and Patricia Lynn Beerda of Iloilo.
