Beyond the crowns, Binibini queens embrace sisterhood and purpose

July 27 ------ Winning a crown may be the dream, but for the newest Binibining Pilipinas titleholders, the real journey begins after coronation night.

Less than a week after the July 18 finals, Binibining Pilipinas International 2026 Gwendoline Meliz Soriano of Baguio, Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2026 Sasha-Juli Belle Lacuna of Tarlac, first runner-up Julianne Raine Antonio of Dumaguete and second runner-up Tracy Mae Sunio of Bacolod City visited The Manila Times newsroom for a special interview.

There, they reflected on the friendships they built throughout the competition and the responsibilities that come with representing the pageant institution. Despite their different backgrounds, all four agreed that the greatest reward from the experience was not the crown itself but the sisterhood they found along the way. “Yes, we were competing with each other, but we were also cheering for one another. We were rooting for each other, and that’s something we’ll continue to treasure even beyond [our] crowns,” Soriano shared.

Antonio admitted that she entered the competition expecting rivalry but instead found genuine friendships. “I honestly thought everyone would be so competitive. But when I joined, I realized everyone wanted each other to succeed. We learned so much from one another, and I always say we’re all winners at the end of the day,” she said.

Their friendships extended beyond the competition. Lacuna revealed that the candidates had already begun planning trips together even before the finals, while Sunio credited Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) for organizing activities that encouraged meaningful connections among them. “That’s why I think BPCI is different. They value relationships, respect every candidate and make sure that sisterhood becomes real,” Sunio said.

While audiences often see only the glamorous side of pageantry, the queens said the four months leading to coronation night demanded discipline, consistency and resilience. They balanced early call times, rehearsals, charity visits, workshops and public appearances, learning to perform at their best even when physically and mentally exhausted. “The hardest part was simply showing up every single day. There were mornings when we were tired, but someone would always cheer everybody up. That’s what made the journey lighter,” Soriano said.

For Lacuna, one of the biggest lessons was learning to embrace what she called “the boredom of consistency.” “We had to prepare every single day and show up every single day, especially during the times when we didn’t feel like it. Although it was hard, we always encouraged one another. We would laugh together, talk to each other, and make the journey enjoyable,” she said.

The experience also strengthened their commitment to their respective advocacies. Soriano plans to continue promoting Filipino culture through the performing arts, while Lacuna remains committed to HIV awareness and youth mental health initiatives.

Antonio hopes to expand her work in animal welfare, and Sunio aims to strengthen programs supporting elderly Filipinos. For the two runners-up, the pageant may have ended without a national title, but it left them with a deeper sense of purpose and greater confidence in what lies ahead. Antonio, who entered her first beauty pageant only this year, said the experience proved she was capable of far more than she had imagined. “I’ve never been on stage before. I’ve never held a microphone for a question-and-answer portion. I just started training in January, so everything was new to me. I learned that when you believe in yourself, nothing can stop you. I just had to trust God’s plan and give my one hundred percent,” she said.

Asked if she would consider returning to pageantry for another chance to represent the Philippines internationally, Antonio said she is leaving the decision to faith. “I’ll just pray about it. If the time is right, then maybe. For now, I want to focus on becoming the best first runner-up I can be, use my platform wisely and continue growing — not just for myself, but for others as well,” she said.

Sunio, meanwhile, believes her Binibining Pilipinas journey has already reached its perfect ending. After returning to compete following her first attempt during the pageant’s Diamond Year in 2024, she said this year’s result gave her a sense of fulfillment. “I’m already 26 years old, and I’m satisfied with my life right now. This is the big ending that I want for my life. I joined Binibining Pilipinas to serve people, and even without another crown, I know I can continue doing that,” she said.

While she has no immediate plans to compete again, Sunio said the experience has already fulfilled its purpose. “I’ve found my purpose. If you’re content with where you are, you’ll continue to grow. I’m just grateful to have been part of Binibining Pilipinas,” she added. With their national titles secured, Soriano and Lacuna are now preparing to represent the Philippines in international competitions.

Lacuna, who will compete at The Miss Globe in October, said she is eager to embrace every aspect of her preparation. “I’m excited about all the workshops that BPCI will provide. I’m excited to learn another language, continue improving myself, and represent the Philippines in the best way possible,” she said.

Soriano, whose Miss International campaign is scheduled for next year, sees the additional preparation time as an advantage. “It gives me time to focus first on serving communities here in the Philippines. Later on, I’m excited to learn another culture, but I’m equally excited to share ours because I’ve always wanted to showcase what Filipinos have to offer to the world,” she said. With more national pageants now competing for attention, the queens also reflected on what has kept Binibining Pilipinas relevant after 62 years.

Antonio pointed to the genuine sisterhood the organization continues to nurture, while Sunio cited BPCI’s unwavering commitment to charity and service. Lacuna described the pageant as a celebration of Filipino culture that brings together women from different provinces and backgrounds.

For Soriano, its enduring relevance lies in the legacy built through generations of queens. “Binibining Pilipinas has left a legacy that no one can ever question. They’ve been here so long. For decades, it has produced not only beauty queens but advocates, role models and leaders. That’s something that will always remain relevant,” she concluded.

Source: manilatimes.net