(L-R) Katrina Anne Johnson (Binibining Pilipinas 1st runner-up), Anna Valencia Lakrini (Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2023), and Sharmaine Magdasoc (Binibining Pilipinas Manila Bulletin Readers Choice awardee) visit the Manila Bulletin main office in Intramuros. (Images by Juan Carlo de Vela)

After being crowned as Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2023, 25-year-old nutritional scientist Anna Valencia Lakrini and fellow Binibinis shared their excitement about what's ahead in their pageant journey.

During a sponsor's visit with Katrina Anne Johnson (Bb. Pilipinas 1st runner-up) and Sharmaine Magdasoc (Bb. Pilipinas Manila Bulletin Readers Choice awardee) at the Manila Bulletin head office in Intramuros last July 4, these ladies shared what they looked forward after the competition.

"I'm looking forward to competing (Miss Globe) since the competition is close, it's not yet announced when exactly the competition is going to happen, but I think it's around October, so I'm excited to prepare and finally wear the Philippines sash, and I'm also excited to get involved more with Binibining Pilipinas platform, do more projects for our society and also spend more time with my queen sisters," Anna said. 

Binibining Pilipinas 2023 winners with Badette Cunanan, Public Relations Manager, Manila Bulletin and Barbie Atienza, Head of External Affairs, Manila Bulletin.

Winning the special award for Bb. Pilipinas Manila Bulletin Readers Choice, Sharmaine said that after the competition, she is now back to running her small business. 

"As of now po, I'm busy running my business, back to my routine na po ulit, and I'm very happy that I got this opportunity to win the Manila Bulletin Readers Choice, " Sharmaine said. 

(As of now, I'm busy running my business, back on my routine again, and I'm very happy that I got this opportunity to win the Manila Bulletin Readers Choice) 

For Katrina, she looks forward to being more present and involved in the community. 

"For now, I've just had a blast from the past month and a half being able to go around being able to meet new people and kinda develop a relationship with my queen sisters as well, so I'm looking forward to developing that relationship and also getting more involved in the community," she said. 

(L-R)  Anna Valencia Lakrini (Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2023) poses with Vicente Bartilad asst. editor-in-chief and Loreto Cabanes, editor-in-chief, Katrina Anne Johnson (Binibining Pilipinas 1st runner-up) and Sharmaine Magdasoc (Binibining Pilipinas Manila Bulletin Readers Choice awardee) 

After appearing on several TV shows and doing fan meets with supporters, these ladies couldn't hide their smiles when they revealed the celebrities and beauty queens they wanted to meet. 

"I've wanted to meet Kylie Versoza, but honestly, there's so much beauty queens that I wanted to meet in person. I think if I could meet all of the Binibini sisters or Ate's, I would love to do that, but first thing that comes in my mind is Catriona Gray and Kylie Versoza," Katrina said.

"I've also met Catriona during Binibining Pilipinas, but I really want to meet is Pia Wurtzbach because she's my biggest inspiration," Sharmaine mentioned. 

Anna and Katrina also shared their sacrifices they made along the way. 

"For me, I would say my biggest sacrifice right now, because I'm from Davao, being away from my home and my dogs, family, and friends, but at the same time, I'm so excited to kinda further my life here in Manila, to make new friends, and new relationships and hopefully move my life from Davao here, so in terms of sacrifices it's a no little hiccup for anything because honestly it's part of the ride," Katrina said. 

(L-R) Katrina Anne Johnson (Binibining Pilipinas 1st runner-up), Sharmaine Magdasoc (Binibining Pilipinas Manila Bulletin Readers Choice awardee) poses with PB/Gen Reynaldo Rafal (ret.) Vice President for Administration, Manila Bulletin; and Anna Valencia Lakrini (Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2023)

Joining the pageant for the second time and winning the Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2023 title, Anna said that her sacrifices were all worth it. 

"Honestly, it's been a long journey because this is my second time joining, and I'm finally here, so it's just the time, money, and effort that you spend that you still have to invest for your international competition. I really embody something that one of my supporters told me that it's okay because I really want this, and if you want it in your heart that much there's nothing that you have to sacrifice because every sacrifice is worth it," Anna said. 

Before ending the interview, Anna and Katrina gave their warmest thanks to all their fans throughout their Binibini journey. 

"I am super thankful for all of them, especially to my Annastapables, who's always been there since day one last year, to have such a long journey, two years, and we're finally here without them I wouldn't reach the Globe. I hope they still believe in me, and my promise to them is I would give my all, and I will be prepared," Anna said.  

"My message to my fans is of course thank you, I started out as a bit of a nobody, so to be able to develop a kind of support, the fact that the fans have been so nice, I'm so thankful for that. In terms of promises, I can say that I promise that on this journey for the next year and onwards, I'm still always gonna be true to myself," said Katrina.