Binibining Pilipinas 2025: These ladies are early favorites to win the crown
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(From left) Annabelle McDonnell, Kathleen Espenido, Katrina Johnson, and Dalia Verde. Images: Instagram/@annabelle.mcdonnell via Biboy Sajulga, @kaiespenido, @katrinacastanedajohnson, @daliavarde
The race to be the country’s representatives at the Miss International and Miss Globe pageants is heating up, as the 2025 edition of the Binibining Pilipinas tilt will be a showdown between pageant veterans, crossover queens, and newbies with a fiery drive to win.
The coronation night, to be held at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, June 15, where reigning queens Myrna Esguerra (Binibining Pilipinas International 2024) and Jasmin Bungay (Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2024) will pass their crowns to their successors. Esguerra is set to represent the Philippines at the upcoming Miss International pageant in November, while Bungay clinched the second runner-up title at Miss Globe 2024.
With 36 candidates competing for two crowns and two runner-up titles, here are nine candidates poised to bring a fierce fight on the pageant stage based on performances in the pre-pageant activities:
Annabelle McDonnell (Iligan City)
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Annabelle McDonnell is no stranger to pageant competitions, as she already has several titles under her belt: Miss Charm 2023 first runner-up, Miss Universe Philippines 2022 first runner-up, and Miss Charm Philippines 2023. She crossed over to the Binibining Pilipinas stage this year, noting that bumping into Binibining Pilipinas alums Desiree Verdadero, Patty Beti, and Sarah Jane Paez was a fateful encounter.
“On the day I met with [Gerry Diaz] and our [Aces and Queens] Mamas to confirm my desire to become a Binibini this year, I couldn’t help but feel so light and happy, and such happiness was only tripled when I bumped into three iconic [Bb. Pilipinas] queens,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Even before becoming an official candidate, I immediately enjoyed the warmth and joy of the sisterhood, and before we parted ways, I was honored to say the ‘Once A Binibini, Always a Binibini’ mantra with them,” she continued.
Katrina Johnson (Davao Province)
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One of the heavy favorites to win the crown, Katrina Johnson’s doll-like beauty has captivated fans, with many noting that she has the potential to bring home the Binibining Pilipinas International title. This is her second attempt at clinching a Binibining Pilipinas crown after she was named first runner-up in 2023.
Prior to the coronation night, Johnson topped the hot picks list of global pageant observer Missosology, hinting that she is armed with experience in hopes of winning a title.
Kathleen Espenido (Siargao)
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Ranking second on Missosology’s final hot picks, Kathleen Espenido is hopeful that her experiences in pageantry and TV will be enough to bring home a Binibini title.
The Filipino-Australian multi-hyphenate is the reigning Miss FIT (Face, Intelligence, Tone) Philippines, and became known to the public after competing at “Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10” in 2021. She was also among the attendees of last year’s ABS-CBN Ball.
Anna Carres De Mesa (Batangas)
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Anna Carres De Mesa, who is also part of Missosology’s final chosen candidates, is aiming to get a higher placement at the coronation night three years after ending her Binibining Pilipinas stint as a semi-finalist. Apart from pageantry, she is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
Dalia Varde (Las Piñas)
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Another Kapamilya star part of this year’s candidates is Las Piñas bet Dalia Varde (whose real name is Dalia Khattab), best known for her appearances in the series “He’s Into Her” and “Click, Like, and Share.” She is also the leading lady of the music video of Zack Tabudlo and Al James’ song, “Gusto.”
Jenesse Viktoria Mejia (Pangasinan)
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A crossover beauty and another favorite to win one of the Binibining Pilipinas crowns, Jenesse Viktoria Mejia is the reigning Limgas ng Pangasinan titleholder and a Miss Grand Philippines 2024 semi-finalist.
Jemille Rustia Zosa (Mandaluyong)
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A model before entering the Binibining Pilipinas tilt, Jemille Rustia Zosa is not new to the world of pageantry as she is the granddaughter of Benigna Rustia (Binibining Pilipinas 1968 runner-up). Zosa also clinched the fourth runner-up title at the Miss Mandaluyong pageant earlier this year.
Francesca Beatriz Alvalajon (Aklan)
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Armed with experiences of competing in national and international tilts, Francesca Beatriz Alvalajon is another veteran who is hoping to clinch a Binibini title. Her pageant portfolio includes Miss Teen International 2019 (third runner-up), Miss World Philippines 2022 (Miss Eco Teen Philippines 2022), and Miss Eco Teen International 2022 (first runner-up). /edv
