Angelica Lopez of Palawan is crowned Bb. Pilipinas International 2023

After besting 39 Filipina beauties from all over the country, Angelica Lopez of Palawan City has been given a new prestigious title tonight: Binibining Pilipinas queen.

Bininbining Pilipinas Charities Inc. bestowed the pageant's highest title of Binibining Pilipinas International to Lopez at the grand coronation night held on Saturday, May 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

She was crowned at the 59th edition of the national pageant by her successor Binibining Pilipinas International 2022 Nicole Borromeo and Miss International 2022 Jasmin Selberg.

Joining Lopez as another Binibining Pilipinas titleholder is Bataan's Anna Valencia Lakrini who inherited the crown for Binbining Pilipinas Globe from last year's winner, Chelsea Fernandez.

During the question and answer portion, Lopez was asked by Quezon City Mayor Honey Lacuna why she is a Binbini who walks the talk and is beyond mere self-promotion. The beauty queen answered, "I stand here tonight because it is my mother that instilled [in] me the values and morals that I use as a woman that I am today. A woman who has the strength, courage, tenacity. The strength to decide for herself what she wants, really works hard to achieve it, to really have the courage to face the obstacles of life, and tenacity to hold on to her wisdom of choice."

"And I believe that [it's] a dream come true to be here, and I believe that I am always the Binbini that I am meant to be," she concluded her speech.

During her reign, the 22-year-old beauty queen will be advocating for education for underprivileged children. 

Lopez is no stranger to beauty pageants as she represented the country in the Miss Asia Global 2022 pageant in Malaysia last year. This is in addition to finishing in the top 16 of Miss Universe Philippines in the same year.

She is now set to represent the Philippines in the Miss International global pageant happening on Oct. 26 in Tokyo, Japan.