Beauty pageant organizations share condolences on the passing of Sara Jane Paez
Around GMA
Around GMA
Pekeng pulis, bumangga sa sasakyan ng mga tunay na pulis! | GMA Integrated Newsfeed Andi Eigenmann looks back on 2016 experience LIST: LGUs announce class suspension due to #AdaPHArticle Inside Page
Showbiz News
Both the Binibining Pilipinas organization and the Miss Universe Philippines organization lauded Sara Jane Paez's contribution to local pageantry.
Two of the country's biggest beauty pageant organizations are sharing their condolences following the passing of Sara Jane Paez, one of the country's former titleholders.
In recent posts on their respective Instagram accounts, the Binibining Pilipinas organization and the Miss Universe Philippines organization released statements expressing their condolences over the passing of Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1989 Sara Jane Paez.
The Binibining Pilipinas organization uploaded a collage of Sara's photos from 1989, thanking her in the caption for the light she shared and the pride she brought to the organization.
In another post, the organization released a statement describing Sara as someone who exemplified “grace, intelligence, and dignity throughout her life and reign.” It also noted that she will continue to inspire future generations.
Meanwhile, the Miss Universe Philippines organization wrote that Sara represented the country “with grace and pride on the international stage, leaving a lasting mark in our pageant history.”
Multiple pageant-related social media pages, including The Qrown PH and Pageant Trend, also reported on Sara's passing. They posted a graphic stating that she passed away on January 13, 2026. The graphic also shared that her wake is being held at the Santuario de San Antonio Parish in Forbes Park, Makati, until Sunday, January 18.
No details have been released regarding the cause of her passing.
Sara Jane Paez won the Binibining Pilipinas Universe crown in 1989 at the age of 20. According to the Facebook page OPMB Worldwide, Sara was a 5'9” Spanish-speaking favorite of the press from the moment she was presented. Her fellow winners that year were first runner-up Suzanne Fahling, second runner-up Michelle Blardony, Binibining Pilipinas Tourism Marichele Cruz, Binibining Pilipinas International Lilia Eloisa (Lia) Andanar, Miss Maja Pilipinas Jeanne Theres Hilario, and Binibining Pilipinas Flower Queen Maria Rita Apostol.
Sara went on to compete in the Miss Universe 1989 pageant held in Cancun, Mexico. That year's crown was won by Holland's Angela Visser, the first and only Dutch winner of the Miss Universe title.
