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MANILA, Philippines – For more than 60 years, Binibining Pilipinas has played a vital role in shaping the Philippines’ legacy as one of the world’s pageant powerhouses.
Beyond celebrating Filipina beauty on the global stage, the pageant also amplifies the advocacies and initiatives of its candidates through the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), making it a meaningful platform for social impact.
Through this project, Binibining Pilipinas continues to honor the strength and diversity of Filipino womanhood, proving that being a beauty queen means more than just glamour — it demands intelligence, heart, and a deep commitment to uplifting marginalized communities.
This year’s candidates embody all that and more. On June 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, 36 Filipinas representing various cities and regions will showcase their distinct styles, sharp intellect, and powerful causes, all vying for the chance to represent the Philippines at the 63rd Miss International pageant in Tokyo, Japan.
From veterans to faces you may have first seen on screen, here are some of the standout candidates to watch out for in this exciting new edition of the pageant:
Francesca Beatriz Alvalajon, Aklan Province
Beatriz of Aklan Province is a rising star in the Philippine pageantry scene. In 2022, she proudly represented the country at Miss Eco Teen International in Egypt, finishing as first runner-up — or first princess — to the crown. During the competition, she delivered a standout performance in the Resort Wear segment, showcasing her poise and stage presence.
Now 22 years old, Beatriz is balancing her ongoing education in psychology, and her professional roles as a hotelier and media producer, proving her dedication both on- and off-stage.
Jeannette Reyes, Batangas City
A graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Communication at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, Jeannette is a lieutenant in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary who advocates for marine environmental protection and conservation and promotes sustainable eco-tourism.
In 2022, Jeannette won Mutya ng Pilipinas and went on to compete at the 2023 Miss Tourism International pageant held in Sabah, Malaysia. She bagged the Miss Tourism Metropolitan International title and Miss SouthEast Asia Tourism Ambassadress special award.
Katrina Anne Johnson, Davao Province
Katrina, representing Davao Province, returns to the Binibining Pilipinas stage as a strong contender. She previously made a strong impression in Binibining Pilipinas 2023, having finished as first runner-up, fulfilling a promise to her late mother, who once dreamed of joining the pageant herself.
Katrina’s return reflects not only her passion for pageantry but also her determination. Her strong finish in 2023, combined with her authentic personality and striking presence, has earned her a dedicated following. As she takes another shot at the crown in 2025, Katrina remains a symbol of resilience and heartfelt motivation.
Annabelle Mae McDonnell, Iligan City
After being named Miss Universe Philippines 2022 first runner-up, Annabelle went on to represent the country in the Miss Charm pageant the following year, where she also notched a first runner-up finish.
Annabelle has been a longtime volunteer with Save the Children Philippines, contributing to their mission of protecting and improving the welfare of children in marginalized communities. Through her Binibining Pilipinas journey, she hopes to continue and expand this advocacy.
Dalia Varde Khattab, Las Piñas
You may have first encountered Dalia in the hit series He’s Into Her, where she played Kim.
Born in Kuwait to an Egyptian father and a Filipino mother, the 21-year-old Star Magic artist is now a Binibining Pilipinas 2025 candidate representing Las Piñas, bringing her entertainment industry background into the world of pageantry.
Jercy Raine Cruz, Makati
Jercy is one of this year’s pageant veterans who started joining beauty competitions when she was 15. Her major break was in 2023, when she was crowned Miss Chinatown Philippines, fueled by her goal of uplifting the Filipino-Chinese community.
Now 26 years old, she hopes her advocacy on volunteerism will extend to a larger population of Filipinos through Binibining Pilipinas.
Alyssa Rae Zabala, Marikina
Representing Marikina, Rae is a cum laude graduate in architecture from the University of Santo Tomas. The pageant hopeful follows in the footsteps of her mother and aunt — both of whom were former Binibining Pilipinas candidates — highlighting a family legacy in pageantry.
Currently, she is an architecture apprentice, and an advocate for sustainable cities and environmental preservation.
Mia Betina Golosino, Malabon
Making her pageant debut, Mia is among the youngest candidates for this year at 19 years old. Her Binibining Pilipinas run is shaped by her advocacy on early childhood development.
In an interview with The Qrown Philippines, she shared that despite being raised in the United Kingdom, her family makes sure that she never loses sight of her origin, teaching her Filipino values and culture.
Back in 2017, when she was 11 years old, she made headlines for having an intelligence quotient or IQ of 162.
Kathleen Enid Espenido, Siargao
Kathleen, better known as Kai, is a Filipino-Australian beauty queen, model, and surfer who first rose to prominence as a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10.
Raised in her hometown of Siargao by a family of mostly women, she was inspired to champion women empowerment. She also launched her own advocacy initiative, the KAI (Knowledge, Action, and Inspiration) Project, which aims to support communities in fostering growth in resilience and push individuals to take positive actions.
She currently holds the title of Miss Fit Philippines and aspires to make Binibining Pilipinas her next crown. – Rappler.com
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