Get to know Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2025 Annabelle Mae McDonnell
Annabelle McDonnell is the new Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2025.
Among the pageant standouts, McDonnell bested 35 other delegates from across the Philippines clinching the coveted title, alongside Katrina Anne Johnson of Davao Province, who was hailed the Binibining Pilipinas International 2025 queen.
Apart from the crown, she will take a slew of prizes, including six months' supply of Wellness Whispers by Dani Barretto, along with a P250,000 smile makeover from Urban Smiles Dental Clinic, P200,000 worth of club membership of women's health services from Med Club Diagnostics, and an 18-month Gold's Gym membership with personal training and nutrition counseling.
She will also receive full scholarship training and total personality and human development coaching sessions from the Executive Training Institute of the Philippines, and P50,000 worth of accessories from Christopher Munar Accessories.
But outside the glitz and glam, McDonell is a true queen with her advocacy, which she hopes to continue in her reign as the new queen. Get to know her below.
A beauty queen at heart
Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Iligan City, the 24-year-old beauty queen has long been passionate about joining beauty pageants. In her profile videos for Binibining Pilipinas, she shared that while she can do so much with her Consular and Diplomatic Affairs degree that she earned from the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, she chose to focus on becoming a beauty queen.
"Dreams are always worth pursuing, and this is exactly what I set out to do at Binibining Pilipinas," saying that she wants to pursue her dream as a beauty queen "without regrets."
Among her notable achievements, she was named Miss Universe Philippines 2022 first runner-up. The following year, she proudly represented the Philippines at the Miss Charm pageant, where she again secured the first runner-up position.
She was a working student and a full scholar
McDonnell truly embodies the phrase "beauty and brains," as she was a working student while at the same time a full academic scholar. At the same time, she's also a feature writer for her university publication.
During the question-and-answer portion, she revealed that hitting rock bottom in the past became a powerful motivator for her to work harder.
"I think that when you hit rock bottom, don't despair and don't use that as your identity, but rather use rock bottom as your launch pad. I have done exactly that. I have sold bread, I've sold ukay-ukay clothes, and all the more rakets just to survive and support my family. You can do it as long as you believe in the beauty of your dreams," she said.
McDonnell worked as a DJ in a local radio station and the local government of Iligan City. Apart from being a Miss Charm 2023 first runner-up, she also worked as an events host.
She is an advocate for children's rights
Pauline Amelinckx visit at Save the Children programs in Marawi City and Marantao, Lanao del Sur in November 2022.
Save the Children website
Throughout her pageant journey, McDonnell carried with her the passion to uplift children's rights and welfare. Since 2022, she has been working with Save the Children Philippines, a non-government organization focused on advocating for underprivileged children.
Being an orphan and someone who experienced malnourishment at age 15, this advocacy was close to her heart: "I wanted to have that time not only for a passing grade but also to do something more meaningful," she said. This is also where she spent her internship for her bachelor's degree.
"I am so proud to advocate for the welfare of children...The continuous protection and enhancement of children’s welfare and children’s rights," she added.
