Baguio City's Gwendoline Meliz Soriano and Tarlac Province's Sasha-Juli Belle Lacuna emerged as the newest queens of the country's longest-running national beauty pageant after winning the top titles at the 62nd Binibining Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night held on Saturday, July 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Soriano was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2026, succeeding Katrina Johnson, and will represent the Philippines at the next Miss International pageant.
Lacuna, meanwhile, earned the title of Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2026, succeeding Annabelle Mae McDonnell and securing the country's spot at The Miss Globe competition.
Completing the winners' circle were Julianne Raine Antonio, who finished as first runner-up, and Tracy Mae Sunio of Bacolod City, who was named second runner-up.
The new titleholders were selected from a competitive field of 35 delegates, with the competition narrowing to the Top 12 before culminating in a Top 4 final question-and-answer round.
For the final challenge, 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 delivered a faith-filled response, expressing her desire to become a leader who inspires others beyond the pageant stage.
"I envision to be an aspirational leader, and 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.
She further emphasized that her journey was rooted in faith rather than personal achievement.
"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 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."
Lacuna, on the other hand, centered her answer on service and the organization's long-standing mission of charity and nation-building.
"The values of Binibining Pilipinas is all about charity work, and it's all about serving the Filipino people," she said.
She added that joining the pageant was driven by a deeper purpose of continuing the organization's legacy of public service.
"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."
Throughout the competition, Soriano established herself as one of the strongest contenders after collecting multiple special awards, including Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Binibining Philippine Airlines, Binibining Urban Smiles, and Miss SnowCaps Radiance.
This year's edition 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.
The Best in National Costume honors were awarded to 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.
The star-studded coronation night was hosted by former Binibining Pilipinas and international titleholders Catriona Gray, Nicole Cordoves, Mary Jean "MJ" Lastimosa, and Miriam Quiambao, with musical performances from Jericho Rosales, Kyle Echarri, and P-pop group ALAMAT.
Leading the distinguished panel of judges was Sen. Risa Hontiveros, joined by Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, Miss International 2025 Catalina Duque, The Miss Globe 2025 Cheraim Chayathanus Saradatta, Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman, actress Janine Gutierrez, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, Erika Lipton, fashion designer Paul Cabral, Filipino-Australian chef Oliver Buenviaje, and basketball star Scottie Thompson.
Soriano and Lacuna were no strangers to the pageant stage, having both previously competed in the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 competition. Soriano finished in the Top 12, while Lacuna advanced to the Top 24. Their campaign that year was ultimately surpassed by Ahtisa Manalo, who won the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown.
Coincidentally, Manalo is herself a former Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 titleholder, making this year's victory for Soriano a full-circle moment as she now inherits the same Binibining Pilipinas International crown once held by Manalo.
With their victories, Soriano and Lacuna now carry the responsibility of representing the Philippines on the international pageant stage, aiming to continue the country's rich tradition of excellence while championing causes rooted in leadership, compassion, and service.
