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December 7, 2025 | 2:28pm
MANILA, Philippines — In local pageant lore, there is an urban legend of a “Binibini Curse.” It supposedly prevents a former contender at the Binibining Pilipinas pageant from winning the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) crown or any of The Miss Philippines titles.
In 2020, the year of the first stand-alone MUPH pageant, the past Binibinis who competed were Michele Theresa Gumabao, second runner-up; Apriel Smith, Alaiza Flor Malinao, Riana Agatha Pangindian, and Sandra Lemonon ended at Top 16. Rabiya Mateo won.
In 2021, Katrina Jayne Dimaranan was named MUPH Tourism while Leren Mae Bautista ended at the Top 10. Bea Luigi Gomez won.
In 2022, finishing at the Top 10 were Julia Saubier and Anjelica Lopez (who later became Binibining Pilipinas 2023). Celeste Cortesi, a former Miss Earth Philippines 2018, won.
In 2023, the year Michelle Marquez Dee won, at the Top 18 were Samantha Panlilio while CJ Opiaza was first runner-up.
In 2024, Stacey Daniella Gabriel was first runner-up, Maria Ahtisa Manalo was second runner-up, Christi Lynn McGarry was fourth runner-up; Kris Tiffany Janson and Cyrille Payumo were in the Top 10; and Selena Alexis Antonio Reyes was in the Top 20. Chelsea Ann Manalo, a former Miss World Philippines 2017 Top 15, won.
It was in 2025 that the Binibini Curse was finally broken at MUPH. Ahtisa, Binibining Pilipinas International 2018, was crowned. Chelsea Ann Fernandez, Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2022, was named The Miss Philippines Cosmo. Cyrille Payumo was also announced as The Miss Philippines Charm 2025.
Cyrille, from Porac, Pampanga, will vie for Miss Charm 2025 on December 12 at the LaChateau Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.
Another curse to break
The fear of the “Vietnam Curse” among Filipino flag bearers rears its ugly head again.
Consider the dark history of our pageant winners when competing in Vietnam:
Miss Universe 2008: Jennifer Barrientos, from San Mateo, Rizal, was unplaced. Riyo Mori of Japan crowned Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela. Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Lam was in the Top 15.
Miss Earth 2010: Psyche Resus, from Infanta, Quezon, was unplaced. Larissa Ramos of Brazil crowned Nicole Faria. Vietnam’s Luu Th Diem Huong in the Top 14.
Miss Earth 2023: Yllana Aduana was Miss Earth – Air. Mina Sue Choi of South Korea crowned Drita Ziri of Albania. Miss Earth – Water 2023 was Vietnam’s Do Thi Lan Anh.
Miss Cosmo 2024: Ketut Permata Juliastrid from Indonesia was crowned. Vietnam’s Xuân Hanh Bùi was in the Top 5. Maria Ahtisa Manalo, surprisingly, ended her stint in the Top 10.
Miss Charm 2023: The first edition was won by Luma Russo of Brazil. The first runner-up was our Annabelle McDonnell. Vietnam’s Thanh Thanh Huyen Dang finished in the Top 20.
The current Miss Charm 2024 is Rashmita Rasindran from Malaysia. Kayla Carter, who replaced Krishnah Gravidez, managed to be in the Top 20. Vietnam’s Quynh Nga Nguyen was second runner-up.
And then at Mister World 2024, Jack Heslewood of England crowned Daniel Mejía of Puerto Rico. The first runner-up was Vietnam’s Pham Tuan Ngoc. The Philippines’ Kirk Bondad ended his run at the Top 20 but he was later crowned Mister International 2025 in Thailand.
Because we never win in Vietnam, will Cyrille finally break the curse?
“I think people don't know that me and Chelsea have been friends since 2022. We've been supporting each other's journey,” said Cyrille. “We're just so happy that we are competing in the same country. So, Chelsea, let’s break that curse!” said Cyrille.
She and Chelsea are currently in Vietnam hoping to take home two more crowns for the Philippines in a year marked by back-to-back wins.
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