As we await the fate of Katarina Rodriguez, the last of the 2017 Bb. Pilipinas queens to compete on the world stage, we now have the full list of official candidates who will try to make the country proud this year. The local pageant is slated to take place on March 18, 2018, an earlier date than usual, with six (6) crowns up for grabs.

Here’s the official roster of Binibinis for 2018, with their official candidate numbers:

1. Vickie Marie Rushton
2. Katherine Ventura
3. Muriel Orais
4. Ana Patricia Asturias
5. Rose Marie Murphy
6. Janice Roman
7. Sigrid Grace Flores
8. Shane Quintana Tormes
9. Agatha Romero
10. Kayesha Chua
11. Aya Abesamis
12. Janette Roanne L. Sturm
13. Istie Cequeña
14. Samantha Bernardo
15. Juliana Kapeundl
16. Annalita Vizcarra
17. Ma Ahtisa Manalo
18. Rosantonette Mendoza
19. Michelle Gumabao
20. Catriona Gray
21. Anjame Magbitang
22. Sophia Baino
23. Ena Velasco
24. Edjelyn Joy Gamboa
25. Jerelleen Rodriguez
26. Wynonah Buot
27. Henna Kaizelle Cajandig
28. Angelica Corbe
29. Samantha Avestruz
30. Sarah Margarette Joson
31. Jehza Huelar
32. Eva Patalinjug
33. Stephanie Joy Abellanida
34. Mary Joy de Castro
35. Sandra Lemonon
36. Loren Mar Artajos
37. Patrizia Garcia
38. Karen Gallman
39. Trixia Marie Maraña
40. Angelie Aubrey Asuncion

Some curiosities (and familiar names):

1. Ana Patricia Asturias (#4) and Kristie Cequeña (#13) hope to outdo their Top 25 last year, while Juliana Kapuendl (#15) hopes to finally earn a title after finishing in the Top 15.
2. Jehza Huelar (#31) hopes to follow the trajectory of MJ Lastimosa and Pia Wurtzbach and finally earn a title in her third attempt, especially after flubbing her second.
3. Edjelyn Gamboa (#24) was a Top 15 semi-finalist in 2016.
4. Karen Gallman (#38), a heavy favorite in 2012, is finally giving it another shot after five years. In between, she auditioned for a local talent search and even appeared in an independent film.
5. This will be the second Binibini attempt for Henna Cajandig (#27), who first competed in 2013 and was a Top 15 placer in Miss World Philippines 2017.
6. DLSU Lady Spiker and former PBB housemate Michelle Gumabao (#19) makes her debut on the pageant stage. Ditto for supermodel Aya Abesamis (#11), who is the daughter of Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1984, Desiree Verdadero. 
7.  Also in the mix are two former Mutya ng Pilipinas titleholders, who never got to compete internationally during their respective reigns: They are Vickie Rushton (#1) from 2011 and Eva Patalinjug (#32) from 2014.
8.  From Miss Philippines-Earth, we have Murielle Orais, who was Miss Philippines-Water in 2011, and Loren Mar Artajos (#36) who replaced Imee Schweighart after the latter was dethroned in late 2016. It is also interesting to note that Artajos was disqualified in 2016. We hope the same won’t happen again this year.
9. The curiosity to end all curiosities is the inclusion of Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Gray (#20) in the roster. Fans who felt she was robbed in Miss World 2016 can now rejoice knowing that she’s taking a shot at vindication. More on this interesting development as the pageant progresses, but it is interesting to note that this will be a rematch between her and her local compatriot Sandra Lemonon (#35)