The Binibining Pilipinas community is mourning the loss of Sarah Jane Paez Santiago, who passed away on 13 January 2026. More than three decades after she wore the crown, her name once again resonated across the pageant world in remembrance and gratitude.

Through a heartfelt post on its official social media page, Binibining Pilipinas paid tribute to the 1989 Binibining Pilipinas Universe titleholder, honoring the grace and pride she brought to the institution.

“We remember and honor the life and legacy of Sarah Jane Paez Santiago, Binibining Universe 1989. Thank you for the light you shared and the pride you brought to Binibini. You will always be remembered. Rest in peace,” the organization stated.

The message echoed the sentiments of pageant fans and former candidates who recognize the lasting imprint of queens who helped shape Binibining Pilipinas into a national symbol of excellence.

Crowned in 1989, Paez represented the Philippines on the global stage during an era defined by elegance and a strong sense of national duty. Her reign reflected the aspirations of Filipinas at a time when the pageant stage served as a powerful platform for confidence and representation.

While she lived much of her life away from the spotlight following her reign, her legacy within the Binibining Pilipinas sisterhood remained intact. Former queens and supporters remember her as part of a lineage that elevated the standards of the pageant and inspired generations of young women to dream beyond the crown.

In honoring Paez, Binibining Pilipinas reaffirmed that a queen’s impact lives on in tradition and the collective pride of a nation. As tributes continue to pour in, the Philippine pageant community remembers a timeless queen whose light remains part of Binibini history.