Gwendoline Soriano crowned Binibining Pilipinas International

MANILA, Philippines - Gwendoline Meliz Soriano of Baguio City and Sasha-Juli Belle Lacuna of Tarlac Province captured the two covetedtitles at the 62nd Binibining Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, earning the right to representthe Philippines at the Miss International and The Miss Globe pageants, respectively.Soriano was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2026, succeeding Katrina Johnson.Lacuna was named Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2026, succeeding Annabelle Mae McDonnell and securing the opportunity to represent the Philippines at The Miss Globe pageant.Julianne Raine Antonio of Dumaguete City finished as first runner-up, while Tracy Mae Sunio of Bacolod City placed second runner-up.The winners emerged from a field of 35 delegates.The finalists were asked "What future do you envision for yourself, and how will a Binibining Pilipinas title help you get to that destination?"Soriano said she hopes to become "an aspirational leader" who inspires others to pursue their dreams."With a Binibini crown, hopefully I get to inspire other people to believe in the beauty of their dreams and to be faithful," she said. "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. And I am here to sharethat 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."Lacuna, meanwhile, highlighted service and charity as the core of her pageant journey."The values of Binibining Pilipinas is all about charity work, and it's all about serving the Filipino people," she said. "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 has already set that legacy, and I stepped into this pageant in order to be a vessel, to be part of that legacy, and continue with the work that the organization has already built upon."