Notable Miss Universe Philippines Repeaters

When Binibining Pilipinas 2015 coronation night ended, there were three topics talked about the most in social media; Wyn-Wyn Marquez not winning a title, Toni Gonzaga's hosting, and Pia Wurtzbach being a repeater. The first two issues eventually died down, but with Pia being a repeater is something that continued to hound her title to date. But Pia is no pioneer being a repeater. Her predecessor MJ Lastimosa was also a repeater. And so was Janine Tugunon, who was a first-runner up the year preceding her Miss Universe Philippines title win.

Looking back at the history of Binibining Pilipinas pageant, it seems that "try and try again" is an adage that holds true not just with Pia, MJ and Janine. Let's take a look at the other five Bb. Pilipinas who gave it another shot at the Miss Universe Philippines crown.

Miss Universe 3rd Runner Up Desiree Verdadero posing with the eventual winner from USA and Miss Venezuela.

Maria Desiree Verdadero was adjudged first runner up in the Bb Pilipinas 1982 pageant. The BB. Pilipinas Universe title went to the more eloquent Maria Isabel Lopez.

When Lopez failed to place in the Miss Universe 1982 pageant in Peru, a lot of pageant fans clamored that Philippines would have placed better had it been Verdadero who was sent to the pageant. That gave Verdadero the idea of joining the pageant again after two years. Strange enough, she in fact replicated the third runner up placement of Chat Silayan in the Miss Universe 1984 pageant.

Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1985 Joyce Burton in the traditional Santacruzan event in Araneta Center, with her escort Tonton Guttierez.

Joyce Ann Fellosas Burton first joined Bb Pilipinas in 1981 and was adjudged Miss Young Pilipinas. The Miss Universe title was won by Maria Caroline Mendoza.

Inspired by Desiree Verdadero's second attempt victory in Bb. Pilipinas 1984 and eventually a third runner up placement in Miss Universe 1984, Joyce decided to give Bb. Pilipinas Universe title a second shot the next year.

She joined Miss Universe 1985 in Miami, Florida, USA but did not place. The title was won by Yvonne Ryding of Sweden that year.

Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1997 Abbygale Arenas

Abbygale Williamson Arenas joined Bb. Pilipinas 1994 pageant and became a runner-up to queens; Charlene Gonzales - Universe, Cara Subijano - World, and Alma Concepcion - International. The three Binibini titleholders all made a semi-finals placement in their respective pageants.

She joined the 1997 edition of Binibining Pilipinas and got the ticket to represent Philippines in the Miss Universe 1997 pageant held in Miami Florida, USA. Abbygale missed the tenth spot in the semi-finals by just a hundreth point (.01 ). Along with Nina Ricci Alagao, she's one of the few Miss Philippines who placed 11th in the Miss Universe pageant.

Binibini winners from left-to-right: Rachel Soriano - World, Collete Centeno - International, Jewel May Lobaton - Universe

Jewel May Lobaton first joined Bb. Pilipinas in 1995. She made it to the Top 15 semi-finals. The titles went to Joanne Quintas-Universe, Reham Snow Tago - World, and Gladys Dueñas - International.

After three years, she joined the pageant again and became one of the crowd favorites to win the crown following her eloquence during the question and and answer portion. She turned out to be first runner up, though. A few weeks after the coronation, Tisha Silang who was originally crowned Bb. Pilipinas Universe was dethroned because of residency issue. Jewel May being the runner-up automatically assumed the crown and got on to represent Philippines in the Miss Universe 1998 pageant in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Jewel didn't make a placement on that pageant which was won by Trinidad and Tobago's Wendy Fitzwilliam.

Bb, Pilipinas Universe 2004 Maricar Balagtas being crowned by the outgoing winner Karla Gay Balingit.

Maricar Manalaysay Balagtas is the first to win the Bb. Pilipinas - Universe title on a third attempt. She joined in 2000 but failed to make a placement. Tried again the next year and became second runner-up. Her placement that year  became her ticket to represent Philippines in the Miss Globe International 2001 pageant held in Istanbul, Turkey, which she apparently won the title.

Despite having won an international pageant title, she was allowed to join Bb. Pilipinas in 2004 the third time. That year, she got the Bb. Pilipinas - Universe title and represented Philippines in the Miss Universe 2004 pageant held in Quito, Ecuador.

Balagtas was unable to make a placement. The title was won by Australia's Jennifer Hawkins.

It seems the trend's not new. Will we be seeing more of repeaters finally snagging the Miss Universe Philippines crown in the future? We'll find out!