Binibining Pilipinas: An institution reinventing pageantry 61 years on

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Bb. Pilipinas International Katrina Anne Johnson (second from right) and Bb. Pilipinas Globe Annabelle McDonnell (second from left) with runners-up Dalia Varde Khattab (right) and Kathleen Espenido. ARMIN P. ADINA

This year’s edition of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant delivered a Grand Coronation Night that incorporated elements unprecedented on the national scene.

Many thought it would be hard to top the massive 60th anniversary show last year that assembled more than 100 beauty queens on the same stage, and highlighted the longest-running national pageant’s legacy. But Bb. Pilipinas showed it can still do more.

Ushering a new era of the beloved national pageant, the 61st edition’s coronation ceremonies held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City on June 15 surprised those watching the show live and on TV.

The program opened with the 36 candidates parading in their magnificent national costumes, showcasing a colorful montage of the country’s rich and diverse culture on a dynamic stage that incorporated a wide runway in the center, and strategically placed LED panels of various shapes and sizes that set the mood in the show’s different segments.

READ: LOOK: Binibining Pilipinas 2025 starts grand coronation night

The panels also showed a close up shot of each candidate, as well as a full-body shot magnified for the audience while they walked one-by-one down the runway.

After a pre-taped individual introduction of the candidates in their costumes was shown, they reappeared in shimmery short dresses with Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2015 Christi McGarry in the DJs booth, spinning Lady Gaga’s latest hit “Abracadabra” that the ladies danced to.

McGarry, one of the national pageant’s “jewels” as the 2015 Miss Intercontinental first runner-up, also stayed on to engage the crowd, deliver some spiels, and banter with her Bb. Pilipinas sisters who handled the show.

The pageant’s alumnae Nicole Cordoves, MJ Lastimosa, Maureen Montagne, and Kylie Verzosa hosted the ceremonies. Coming in after the candidates’ dance routine, they asked the ladies to go backstage, only to return to the stage for the swimsuit competition that ensued right away.

Taking the stage once again, for the third time, still with no commercial breaks, the ladies reappeared in their blue one-piece Dia Ali swimwear, already their third outfit for the show.

They strutted down the runway, one-by-one, while McGarry fired up MMJ’s catchy ditty “Daleng Dale,” taking the runway with no interruption from any performer. The common practice was to have singers waltz in and out, with the candidates clearing the stage for them.

The Binibinis in their resplendent evening gowns.

This continued in the evening gown round, with the Kings of P-Pop, SB19, performing. The boys opened the segment with just them on stage. But the moment the first candidate came out, the ladies paraded with no interruption.

The quintet shared the spotlight with the contestants, singing while the Binibinis showcased their couture creations. The voice-over announcement for every delegate overlapped with the music during the portions that the boys came back singing.

Even the handing out of special awards veered away from the usual. While the customary sequence was to announce the award and the winner before the presenters, the 2025 Bb. Pilipinas pageant called out the presenters first on stage, who later joined the winner centerstage.

This allowed the winner to be the focal point of the awarding, being the last name that the hosts announced while she basked in her moment of glory on stage.

Two international titleholders also shared the stage with their Filipino predecessors. Reigning The Miss Globe Diana Moreno from Colombia and current Miss International Thanh Thủy got to chat with Montagne and Verzosa.

The two Filipino queens were the most recent winners from the Philippines in their respective pageants. Montagne was crowned The Miss Globe in 2021, while Verzosa was proclaimed Miss International in 2016.

Some viewers shared their appreciation for the show. “Wow. What a bold move from Binibining Pilipinas. Ganda ng opening. No dull moments, alive na alive!” a pageant observer said on Facebook.

Another wrote: “Wow and Christi McGarry in the DJ booth!” while another commented, “Ganda gumawa ng BBP.” (BBP made the show awesome)

“Iba parin tlaga ang Binibining Pilipinas at every year pina patunayan nila na sila parin ang the best national pageant ng pinas,” said another.

(Wow, Binibining Pilipinas is still something else, and every year they prove that they are stil the best national pageant in the Philippines.)

Mindanao maidens dominated the competition when the ceremonies ended on the same evening (also another welcome change to the usually extended programs). Davao’s Katrina Anne Johnson was crowned Bb. Pilipinas International, Iligan City’s Annabelle McDonnell was hailed Bb. Pilipinas Globe, while Siargao’s Kathleen Espenido was second runner-up.

“He’s Into Her” actress Dalia Varde Khattab from Las Piñas was the lone lady from outside Mindanao to join the winners’ circle. She was first runner-up.

Aika Events and Productions, the same team that mounted the 60th Bb. Pilipinas celebration, returned to stage the 2025 edition. It was also the same production company that created the 2023 show that also received rave reviews. /edv