MANILA, Philippines – Annabelle Mae McDonnell of Iligan City was named Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2025 on Sunday, June 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. She succeeds Jasmin Bungay from Pampanga, who finished 2nd runner-up in Miss Globe 2024.
This marks Annabelle’s return to the national pageant spotlight after a string of high-profile finishes: first runner-up in Miss Universe Philippines 2022, and again in the international Miss Charm pageant the following year. Outside of pageantry, she also works as a professional model and events host.
Personal story, advocacy
Annabelle graduated cum laude with a degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, an achievement she reached while balancing independence, grief, and public life.
On coronation night, the Iliganon stunner walked with the confidence of a seasoned queen, earning not just the Binibining Pilipinas Globe title but also the special Binibining Philippine Airlines sponsor award.
Orphaned at a young age and raised by her Tito Tata, Annabelle became financially independent at 15. She has openly shared that during those years, she sold bread and ukay-ukay clothes to support herself and her family — efforts that allowed her to continue school while helping out at home.
She drew from her own life experiences during the Q&A, wherein she reflected that rock bottom was not her identity, but her “launchpad.”
The question, posed by Dr. Ralph Delas Alas, president of Urban Smiles Dental Clinic, referenced a viral news story about a woman seen emerging from a drainage canal in Metro Manila — an image that sparked discussion on poverty, welfare systems, public health, and dignity.
“A woman was seen emerging out of a drainage recently. If you could spend time with her, what insights or lessons do you wish to gain from the circumstances that led her to her life condition?” he asked.
“Speaking as someone who experienced involuntary hunger and malnourishment at the age of 15, I say that I wish you never go hungry another night. I think that when you hit rock bottom, don’t despair and don’t use that as your identity,” she stated.
Her story, and her work, extend beyond the pageant stage. She has been a longtime volunteer with Save the Children Philippines, supporting initiatives focused on protecting and empowering marginalized Filipino youth. Through her Binibini platform, she hopes to expand this advocacy further — reaching not just children, but the systems that fail them.
In her official tourism video for Binibining Pilipinas, she featured Iligan City, known as the “City of Majestic Waterfalls.” Beyond celebrating her hometown’s beautiful natural landscapes, she attributes the true beauty of the city to the warmth and resilience of its people, as their culture reflects the very values that brought her success.
From runner-up to rightful queen
It’s rare for a returning contestant to maintain momentum over multiple years, but Annabelle has built a reputation precisely on persistence. “I think the universe rewards a stubborn heart,” she stated, citing her desire to represent Iligan as a driving force towards continuing her pageant career.
The beauty queen’s latest crown adds to an already extensive portfolio. Her impressive list of titles include Miss Iligan 2018, Miss Lanao del Norte 2019, and a second runner-up finish in Miss Millennial Philippines 2019.
Her national breakthrough came in 2022, when she finished first runner-up in Miss Universe Philippines, followed by another first runner-up placement in Miss Charm 2023, where she represented the Philippines on the international stage.
Now, as Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2025, she heads to an international stage with renewed fire and hard-earned grace.
With her Iliganon upbringing, volunteer work, intelligence, and deep belief in transformation, she carries a message larger than pageantry: that beauty, resilience, and impact can grow from even the most difficult beginnings. – Rappler.com
Angela Divina is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the Ateneo de Manila University.