Bb. Pilipinas 2026 queens open up on pageant journey, love life, online bashing
MANILA, Philippines — The Binibining Pilipinas 2026 queens have credited their families and faith in God as the greatest influences throughout their respective pageant journeys.
Beyond beauty and grace, Bb. Pilipinas International 2026 Gwendoline Meliz Soriano, Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2026 Sasha-Juli Belle Lacuna, first runner-up Julianne Raine Antonio and second runner-up Tracy Mae Sunio opened up about their personal experiences and stories in an exclusive interview with The STAR during their recent visit to the publication’s head office.
“I would say my mom and God (inspirations),” began Julianne. “I’ve prayed a lot. This has not been an easy journey for any of us. And I think my mom has been there for me and she’s given me advice. And then with God, I’ve prayed so much and He’s kept me calm through it all. I’ve learned to just let go of all my worries. Because I just lift it up to Him and just trust in His plan.”
For Gwendoline, her biggest influence and inspiration is her faith in God as well.
“With all the things going on with the pageant, even external forces, it’s really important that I am secure in my identity and in God. And that I know my purpose while I’m here,” she reflected.
Throughout the competition, she kept her sights focused on God and constantly reminded herself of her purpose.
Gwendoline initially joined Bb. Pilipinas in 2022 but had to withdraw from the pageant due to personal reasons. Recalling that time, she shared, “I was working that time as a commercial model and there were conflicts with the contract. And so I had to withdraw. A lot of things happened to me. My dad passed away. Just a month or two months after that, my business closed. I was betrayed by a friend.”
Gwendoline described it as a “year of testing and proving.”
“And I realized after that that God was just really molding me and preparing me for the perfect time and the perfect moment for me to pursue my dream,” she added.
Despite the challenges she faced, Gwendoline eventually took the risk of joining Bb. Pilipinas once again this year, a decision that led her to the crown.
“This is my last chance and opportunity I’d say because I’m 27. And with the competition that of course there’s an age limit for the international crown that I’m aiming for… I really tried to be courageous, to pursue this dream now and I’m really blessed and grateful to God that this is also the perfect time for me that I’m on the crown finally.”
Coming from a family-oriented background, Sasha expressed her gratitude to her family and manager for their unwavering support.
“And of course, my faith in God keeps me sane. Gosh, there were so many days where I felt like, ‘Do I deserve to be here? What am I even doing? Should I keep going?’ It’s just my faith in God knowing that He has something big planned for me, my faith in the unknown of where He’s leading me and asking for wisdom and guidance in His plan that have kept me going,” she added.
Sasha is currently in Thailand, vying for The Miss Globe title, with the coronation night scheduled for Nov. 6.
Tracy, for her part, confessed that she is a daddy’s girl and that her late father was the person she ardently looked up to.
“I really admire him because he is very kind to everyone around him… He really teaches me how to respect and be kind to everyone. He also instilled the values and principles in me that I carry until now and that I also want to share with others. And because of him, I am very focused on my spiritual journey. God was also the one who really helped me stay calm in times of moments of chaos.”
The conversation continued as the beauty queens shared their goals, love lives and thoughts on online bashing. Here’s the rest of the interview:
Aside from pageantry, what are your career plans? Are you also interested in pursuing a career in showbiz?
Julianne: “For me, I’m just focused right now on my goals as first runner-up and just going with the flow. I’m also looking forward to next year (when we get to do more of our) Bb. Pilipinas (duties).”
Gwendoline: “I’m also focused on my responsibilities now, and I’m excited for next year because I’ll be representing the Philippines at Miss International. After that, let’s see what happens. I’m open to any opportunities. I graduated with a degree in Communication Arts, and after that, I worked in the financial industry and in the real estate industry.”
Sasha: “We currently have our responsibilities to represent the Philippines on the international stage. Even after our reign, I hope that we still get to visit the organizations partnering with Bb. Pilipinas and continue doing charity work with them. And, of course, I’m really keen on finishing my bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. I’m still attending school, and I’m homeschooled as well.
“I’m also really interested in business. We’re looking into the flower business, and we’re hoping that all four of us can collaborate on it.”
Tracy: “I have a business back in Bacolod. It’s poultry farming, but we had to put the construction on hold during our pageant journey because I needed to focus on the expenses. After my reign, I will definitely focus on it more.”
Have you ever had to put your romantic relationships on hold to focus on your careers and achieving your dreams?
Gwendoline: “1, 2, 3.”
All: “No!”
Are you all currently in relationships?
Gwendoline: “1, 2, 3.”
All: “Yes!”
Julianne: “We should all be allowed, no matter what job you have or what title you have, you’re still allowed to be in a relationship. Just make sure you know how to separate the two. I’m so proud that we’re like that. We know our worth… We’re very blessed to have a lot of support from all around us.”
Tracy: “We’re blessed with our love lives.”
Gwendoline: “I believe we’re all here now because we have very supportive partners. We’ve maintained our individuality. We’re busy here, and they’re busy with their own stuff. We’re empowered knowing that even as we pursue our own things, we still get their support and all that.
“They’re just an addendum to what we’re doing. And as women, we’re not defined by our relationships.”
Sasha: “Especially as public figures, because there’s a tendency to think stereotypically that we have to choose one over the other. But thankfully, thank God, we have supportive partners. We still have our own individual lives. When work is work, they respect that. And, of course, we have our responsibilities as titleholders.”
Tracy: “And vice versa. We support our partners as well.”
Have you ever experienced online bashing?
Tracy: “I don’t read comments. I’m not always on social media So I don’t know baka meron din somewhere.”
Gwendoline: “Whenever I read comments, I try to filter them by asking myself, ‘Is this true?’ There are a lot of people who say negative and bad things about you, especially if they don’t know you. So, if I get to read something and I know that it’s not true, deadma.
“There are times when I do comment, but I make sure that I do so gracefully and kindly. There are also instances when some posts or people try to promote hate and share lies about you. I just feel compelled sometimes to respond gracefully, just so I could correct the narrative because I don’t want to tolerate or allow the culture of hate, especially online.”
Sasha: “I also address comments that I read sometimes, although I don’t let the hate sink in. I look for constructive ones as well. But, of course, as much as possible, I reply respectfully.
“Let’s say, for example, I have a skin condition right below my eye and above my forehead. It’s hyperpigmentation, and I was born with it. My parents raised me not to treat it as an insecurity. So, I grew up knowing that I’m a normal girl who just happens to have hyperpigmentation. And there are younger girls out there who have it as well.
“There was this one comment on my post where this person said I’m not beautiful because of it. So, what if a younger Filipino girl sees that and believes that she’s not beautiful because of what she has?
“So, I kindly addressed that because I also got bullied growing up in high school. Back then, I just let it slide because I didn’t know how to respond. I just didn’t have the courage. But now that we have these platforms, we have the opportunity to share courage with young women.
“So, in addressing the comment, I said, ‘First of all, this is a skin condition. It’s not merely a wound or a bruise. And second of all, it’s not something to be ashamed of. I did not treat it as an insecurity. My parents did not raise me that way.’ After that, the person who commented was like, ‘OK, thank you. I’m sorry.’”
Julianne: “I’ve read things by this author, Mel Robbins, who also has a podcast… I always remember that, no matter what the situation is—not only when it comes to bashing, but in anything in general—I just let them be. And honestly, people’s actions toward somebody are a reflection of who they are.
“So, just let them be who they want to be. Let them say whatever they want to say, as long as you’re being yourself and growing every day. You’re staying kind to people every day. Just let them. You can’t control everyone. You can’t control anyone except yourself and your actions.”
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