Davao’s Katrina Anne Johnson bags Binibining Pilipinas International 2025 crown

MANILA, Philippines, June 16 ------ Katrina Anne Johnson of Davao bagged the Binibining Pilipinas International 2025 crown during the pageant’s coronation night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Johnson bested 35 other candidates in the competition to succeed Binibining Pilipinas International 2024 Myrna Esguerra of Abra, who is set to represent the country in Miss International 2025 in November. This means that Johnson will be competing in the global pageant’s 2026 edition. The 25-year-old stunner also took home the Best in Evening Gown award and won Binibining Dunkin’, one of the special awards.

Meanwhile, Iligan City’s Annabelle Mae McDonnell was named Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2025, succeeding Pampanga’s Jasmin Bungay, who notched a 2nd runner-up finish in Miss Globe 2024. Dalia Varde Khattab of Las Piñas then finished as 1st runner-up, while Kathleen Enid Espenido of Siargao was named 2nd runner-up.

During the question-and-answer portion, pageant judge and MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto asked Johnson what she thought about the statement: “Lies told a thousand times become the truth” within the context of fake news. Johnson answered by first mentioning how social media helps everyone connect with each other regardless of where they are in the world. Then, she acknowledged the spread of fake news and proposed ways to address it. “I think the best way we can combat that is to make sure that we are educating people on how to discern information. We need to be aware, we need to regulate, and make our online communities a safe space for everyone,” she said.

For McDonnell, the Q&A felt like a full-circle moment after she was asked what she would tell the woman who was seen crawling out of the Makati drainage if she had the chance to spend time with her. The Iligan stunner took this as a chance to speak about her own experience with poverty, sharing that she had gone through “involuntary hunger and malnourishment” when she was 15.

“I say that I wish you never go hungry another night. I think that when you hit rock bottom, don’t despair and don’t use that as your identity. But rather, use rock bottom as your launchpad,” McDonnell answered. “I have done exactly that, I have sold bread, I sold ukay-ukay clothes and all the more rackets just to survive and support my family. You can do it, as long as you believe in the beauty of your dreams.”

Source: rappler.com