MANILA, Philippines — Gwendoline Meliz Soriano of Baguio City and Sasha-Juli Belle Lacuna of Tarlac Province captured the two coveted titles at the 62nd Binibining Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, earning the right to represent the Philippines at the Miss International and The Miss Globe pageants, respectively.
Soriano was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2026, succeeding Katrina Johnson as the country's next representative to the Miss International competition.
Lacuna, meanwhile, 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 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 after the competition narrowed its Top 12 finalists to the Top 4 for the final question-and-answer round.
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.
"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.
"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, 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."
The coronation night was hosted by former titleholders Catriona Gray, Nicole Cordoves, Mary Jean "MJ" Lastimosa and Miriam Quiambao.
The evening also featured musical performances by actor-singer Jericho Rosales, singer Kyle Echarri and P-pop group ALAMAT.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros served as chair of the board of judges. Joining her on the panel were Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, reigning Miss International 2025 Catalina Duque, reigning 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.
