Many heeded the call, but only a few were chosen.

After a deliberate and rigorous week-long screening process, the officials of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. led by chair Mrs. Stella Marquez Araneta revealed the 40 official candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2018 in the wee hours of January 16, 2018 at the Kia Theatre.

The applicants were first trimmed to 53 before they faced the screening committee anew in closed-door interviews where they focused on the ladies’ background, personality, and other traits.

Beauty pageant veterans, models, TV personalities and professionals from different fields make up the Top 40.

The official Binibining Pilipinas 2018 candidates are:

Jerelleen Rodriguez
Jehza Huelar
Angelica Corbe
Juliana Kapeundl
Wynona Buot
Rosantonette Mendoza
Sigrid Grace Flores
Kristie Rose Cequeña
Enalouis Velasco
Ana Patricia Asturias
Muriel Orais
Angelie Aubrey Asuncion
Karen Gallman
Trixia Marie Maraña
Edjelyn Joy Gamboa
Janette Sturm
Sarah Margarette Joson
Janice Roman
Henna Kaizelle Nicole Cajandig
Eva Patalinjug
Anjame Magbitang
Samantha Avestruz
Loren Artajos
Samantha Bernardo
Marie Sherry Ann Tormes
Katherine Ventura
Maria Andrea Verdadero Abesamis
Patrizia Garcia
Mary Joy de Castro
Vickie Marie MIlagrosa Rushton
Catriona Gray
Samantha Lemonon
Analiza Vizcarra
Kayesha Chua
Ma. Ahtisa Manalo
Sophia Baino
Agatha Romero
Rose Marrie Murphy
Stephanie Joy Abellanida
Michele Gumabao

These women will vie for a crown in the most prestigious pageant in the Philippines, and represent the country in the following international beauty pageants: Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Grand International, Miss Globe, and Miss Intercontinental.

They will follow the footsteps of last year’s queens who cemented the Philippines’ reputation as a powerhouse in international pageants. Nelda Ibe was Miss Globe first runner up. Elizabeth Clenci won second runner up in Miss Grand International. Rachel Peters finished in the Top 10 of Miss Universe, while Chanel Olive Thomas secured a Top 10 placement and won Miss Friendship in Miss Supranational. Binibining Pilipinas International Mariel de Leon has a budding showbiz career debuting as Coco Martin’s leading lady in the movie “Ang Panday.”

In recent years, Binibining Pilipinas also produced beloved queens: Pia Wurtzbach ended the country’s 40-year drought when she won Miss Universe in 2015. Kylie Verzosa emerged as the Philippines’ sixth Miss International in 2016, while Ann Colis won the Miss Globe crown in 2015.

Follow these ladies’ exciting journey to the most celebrated Binibining Pilipinas crowns by visiting the official website www.bbpilipinas.com. Like the Binibining Pilipinas official Facebook page www.facebook.com/realbbpilipinas and follow @bbpilipinasofficial on Instagram.