RACHEL PETERS bagged the most coveted Miss Universe Philippines 2017 crown, besting 39 other ladies in this year’s edition of the annual Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

Peters, who was also adjudged Best in Swimsuit, will be the country’s bet at the Miss Universe pageant later this year as she vies to win the fourth crown for the Philippines, previously won by Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran-Floriendo (1972), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).

Binibining Pilipinas International 2017 is Maria Angelica De Leon, who faces a big challenge herself as she tries to win back-to-back for the Philippines. Reigning Miss International is Filipina beauty Kylie Versoza, who passed on the Philippines’ sash early morning of May 1 in Manila. De Leon also won Best in Long Gown and Miss Creamsilk.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Miss Universe Philippines 2017: Rachel Peters (19)
Bb. Pilipinas International 2017: Maria Angelica De Leon (15)
Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2017: Chanel Thomas (42)
Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2017: Elizabeth Clenzi (39)
Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017: Katarina Rodriguez (31)
Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2017: Nilda Ibe (18)
First Runner-Up: Charmaine Elima (32)
Second Runner-Up: Kristel Guelos (40)

A ‘Beauty and Brains’ Competition

While the search for the next Filipina beauty queen remains a beauty competition, it’s widely believed that the Question and Answer portion is what really sorts the ladies into their places.

Whether we admit it or not, every lady in the competition wants nothing less than to represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe pageant. And as everyone knows, the Miss Universe pageant changed its rules back in 2015, with the Top 3 winners now battling it out in the Q&A portion for the crown.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach pulled that off, but our 2016 bet, Maxine Medina, didn’t — hence the steeper competition this year. The Miss International and Miss Grand International competitions demand the same of their winners too.

It was clear that all the ladies came well-prepared for this year’s Q&A segment. Aside from a few letdowns, including some of our early favorites — Sirene Sutton, who failed to settle on a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No’ for her answer, and Charmaine Elima, who never quite pinned hers down — almost all the ladies did great.

But only four competed neck and neck until the very end: our two favorites, Rachel Peters and Maria Angelique ‘Mariel’ De Leon, plus the ever-competitive Katarina Rodriguez and Filipina beauty Elizabeth Clenzi.

Though it may sound like a cliché, it was Rachel Peters’ answer on what her message would be to the leaders attending this year’s ASEAN Summit in the country that won her the crown. She pointed to divisiveness in politics, religion, and even culture as something felt the same way across the world: “I believe that when people can learn to tolerate each other’s differences and respect each other’s opinions, we will have a stronger nation, and… world.” Her delivery was nearly flawless too — something that should give the Philippines a good shot at the Miss Universe 2017 pageant.

Mariel De Leon‘s answer, that there’s “no better gender,” was just as strong. It surely gave the judges a tough call before choosing Peters over her for the MUP crown — though they were confident enough to send her to defend the crown currently worn by our own Kylie at the Miss International pageant.

Katarina Rodriguez‘s answer was definitely among the best. Asked for her definition of a winner, Rodriguez said, “The definition of a winner is how you execute your responsibilities after you win… a winner is somebody who knows how to inspire, who is kind and brave, and so ever curious.” She’s also Miss Philippine Airlines.

Elizabeth Clenzi‘s answer to “What to do in traffic?” — sleep, read books, and/or talk with loved ones — earned her a spot competing in the Miss Grand International pageant, succeeding Nicole Cordoves, last year’s first runner-up.

Overall, the winners were well-chosen, though we’re genuinely sad that Huelar and Sutton didn’t make the winners’ circle.

Top 15 finalists include Jehza Huelar (10), Sirene Sutton (14), Christagle Borja (20), Camille Manli (17), Gabriela Ortega (34), Lara Lacap (16), and the People’s Choice Juliana Kapeundi.

To everyone’s surprise, early favorites Angelique Celine De Leon (12) and Dindi Joy Pajares (24) didn’t even make the Top 15 cut.

What can you say about the results, our dear readers? Let us know in the comments.