Katrina Anne Johnson’s victory ‘one heck’ of a Father’s Day gift

Newly-crowned Bb. Pilipinas Katrina Anne Johnson (right) with her father. ARMIN P. ADINA

As the Binibining Pilipinas 2025 Grand Coronation Night was held on Father’s Day, June 15, newly crowned Binibining Pilipinas-International Katrina Anne Johnson said her victory served as her Father’s Day gift to her dad.

Clinching the title in ceremonies held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City, Johnson had one special audience member, her father who flew 16 hours from the United States to watch her a second time around on the pageant stage.

“I was luckily able to see him just before Binibini started. And that’s when I mentioned to him, like, ‘Hey Dad, I think I wanna try one more time,'” Johnson shared with members of the media after her coronation.

That was also the first time she saw him after he watched the 59th Binibining Pilipinas pageant held in 2023 where she was proclaimed first runner-up. “Binibini is really special for both of us,” Johnson said.

In the middle of her interview, she excused herself to greet her father who climbed onstage. He then wrapped her in a tight embrace. Returning to face the media, she shared: “He just whispered in my ear just now, ‘This is one heck of a Father’s Day Gift.’ I’m really so grateful.”

Johnson said her father has been very supportive of her pageant quest, aware that her late mother once dreamed of joining Binibining Pilipinas. “To be able to carry out that dream, and to be part of the Binibini legacy is just so special,” the new queen said.

She said she sees her Binibining Pilipinas crown as “the highest honor I’ve ever received in my life,” and is something that she will not take lightly. “I’m so emotional about it. I really never thought that this would happen to me. It is such an honor, and I really hope that I am able to represent the Philippines well.”

This early, pageant fans have expressed confidence that she will do well in the Miss International contest, not only because she fits the perceived physical archetype that usually excels in the competition, but also because of her gift of gab.

“I knew I wasn’t necessarily the strongest before, in terms of stage presence, so that was something that I really tried to work on this year. So I think, all in all, each portion kind of chipped in to the results a little bit, I would like to think,” Johnson told INQUIRER.net.

She also said she felt “content” and “relieved” when the final round of competition concluded. “It was up to God and the judges at that point. So I knew I had done everything that I could’ve done in that moment. I wasn’t stressing out,” she said.

“I was really just trying to soak in that this could potentially be the last time that I was on the Araneta stage. I’m really grateful that it worked out in my favor, and they saw something in me. And it’s such a blessing,” Johnson continued.

She has more than a year to prepare for her first time to carry the country’s name across her chest and fight for the Philippines on the international stage.

Her predecessor Myrna Esguerra is still set to compete in the 63rd Miss International pageant in Japan in November, and Johnson will take part in the global tilt’s 64th edition next year. /edv