PALAWAN’S Angelica Lopez and Bataan’s Annalena Valencia Lakrini bested this year’s field of 40 contestants to emerge as winners of the 59th grand coronation night of Binibining Pilipinas held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
Lopez, a 22-year-old, 5-foot-7 second year Psychology student from Palawan State University in Puerto Princesa, bagged the Binibining Pilipinas International 2023 title succeeding Nicole Borromeo, who has yet to compete for the 61st Miss International in Tokyo this October.
The reigning Miss International Jasmin Selberg from Germany graced the event and crowned Lopez aside from sitting in the panel of judges.
Lopez will compete for the 62nd edition of Miss International next year.
Furing the q&a round of the top 11 finalists, Lopez, who was also a top 16 finalist at last year’s Miss Universe Philippines pageant, was asked: “What makes you a Binibini who walks the talk and who is beyond mere self-promotion?”
Her answer: “I stand here tonight because it is my mother that instilled in me the values and morals that I am using to be the woman that I am now today — a woman who has the strength, courage, and tenacity. The strength to decide for herself, what she wants, really works hard to achieve it, to have the courage to face any obstacles in life and tenacity to hold onto her wisdom of choice. I believe it is always a dream come true to be here. That is why I am a Binibini that I’ve always been meant to be.”
Lakrini, 25, the tallest contestant at almost 5’11”, is a half German nutritional scientist from Stuttgart who represented her mother’s home province of Bataan.
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, who is Anna’s role model, also hails from the same German city.
Anna also won the Best in Swimsuit and Miss Jag Denim Jeans titles.
When asked “In what ways is a beauty pageant candidate aiming for a crown similar to a politician running for an electoral post?,” Anna replied: “As someone who’s joining for the second time, I know that a beauty pageant has a platform on which we can talk about causes which are dear to our heart. My cause that is dear to my heart is nutrition. As a nutrition scientist…I know that in advocating with this platform from Binibining Pilipinas, we can inspire so many people. A politician can inspire a whole community, and so can we.
The first runner-up was licensed pharmacist Katrina Anne Johnson, 25, from Davao del Sur, while the second runner-up was former PBB Season 8 Housemate Atasha Reign Parani, 19, from General Trias, Cavite.
The star-studded pageant was hosted by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves and Miss Universe Philippines 2014 Mary Jean Lastimosa.
The board of judges, chaired by Manila Mayor Dr. Honey Lacuna-Pangan, also included award-winning actors Dolly de Leon and Piolo Pascual, Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, social media influencer Small Laude, presidential son William Vincent Marcos, SB19 member Josh Cullen, Tatler editor-in-chief Anton San Diego, restauranteur Peter Zwiener and Miss Selberg.
