MANILA, Philippines, February 26 ------ It will be a fierce, cutthroat battle among the candidates in this year’s edition of the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) as pageant veterans and even titleholders are ready to compete at the national beauty pageant. Sixty-nine delegates were recently presented at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati who will vie for the MUPH crown slated for May 2. The international competition is happening in November in Thailand.
Among the bets are actress and Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez of Muntinlupa City; Miss International 2018 first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province, who also finished among the Top 10 in Miss Cosmo 2024; Miss Earth-Air 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana of Siniloan, Laguna; Miss Globe 2022 Top 15 finalist Chelsea Fernandez of Sultan Kudarat; and MUPH 2022 second runner-up Ma. Katrina Llegado of Taguig City.
Albay’s Rani Lachmi Dado, Angeles City’s Ira de Castro, Bacolod City’s Louise Lian Bobe, Bacoor City’s Natsumi Sekiguchi, Bago City, Negros Occidental’s Kayla Jane Usison, Baguio City’s Gwendoline Meliz Soriano, Batangas’ Yana Ysabel Maranan and Basey, Samar’s Yoshabel Lebico are also taking part in MUPH this year. They are joined by Benguet’s Maiko Ibarde, Bohol’s Tyra Goldman, Bulacan’s Franchezca Mae Pacheco, Butuan City’s Jadine Lezz Banagan, Cabanatuan City’s Maica Martinez, Caloocan’s Allyson Ee, Camarines Norte’s Karenza de Leon, Camarines Sur’s Shaina Ong Rabacal, Camiguin’s Larsine Grace Jensen, Cavite’s Jezreal de Ocampo, Cebu City’s Gabriella Mai Carballo and Cebu Province’s Chella Falconer.
The list went on with Davao’s Angeleyh Caballero Pasco, Dipolog City’s Jazzle Shannen Taga Iba, Dumaguete City’s Shamara Krupa, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur’s Princess Luab Ibrahim, Ifugao’s Valerie Claire West, Iligan City’s Juliana Fresado, Ilocos Sur’s Jeanne Nicole Perez Lipa, Iloilo City’s Karen Nicole Piccio, Iloilo Province’s Angeline Cordero Kailani, Isabela’s Jarina Sandhu. Kalibo, Aklan’s MJ Fernandez, Laguna’s Eloisa Jauod, Lapu-Lapu City’s Natasha Testa, Las Piñas’ Rayanne Kristel David, Leyte’s Victoria Maelona Johnson, Liliw, Laguna’s Pauline Rowbelle del Mundo, Los Baños, Laguna’s Rendelle Ann Caraig, Lucena’s Bella Dela Cruz, Malay, Aklan’s Taylor Marie De Luna, and Manila’s Jasmine Paguio are also participating.
The roster of candidates also includes Naic, Cavite’s Kaye Pastelero, Naga City’s Zoe Sofia Gabon, Negros Occidental’s Franches Anne Laquiba, Nueva Ecija’s Chanel Olive Thomas, Occidental Mindoro’s Ain Niqyla Abad, Oriental Mindoro’s Rechel Hoco, Ozamiz City’s Irish Raine Sescon, Pampanga’s Rhancoise Mayangitan, Pangasinan’s Andrea Cayabyab, Parañaque’s Jenny Kim Agasid, Pasay’s Amanda Russo and Pasig’s Alessandra Eugenio.
Rounding up the list are Quezon City’s Zoe Honeyman, Quirino’s Bianca Ylanan, Romblon’s Mariah Nicole Valdez, Samar Island’s Kathreen Kaye Dacanay, San Fernando, Cebu’s Thelma Suzanne Dayao, San Jose, Batangas’ Jessica Victoria Cianchino, Siargao’s Millien Joy Cabigas, Tacloban City’s Angela Norwillen Cabel, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur’s Danelle Ann Catalan, Tarlac’s Sasha Lacuna, Tuguegarao City’s Thea Samantha Lacanlalay and Zamboanga City’s KC de Fiesta.
MUPH executive vice president Voltaire Tayag shared that this year, they partnered with law firm DivinaLaw “in order to provide people protection for both the MUPH organization and the delegates.” “We have 69 delegates this year. Not because we wanted to have a huge number of delegates. We have that because of our successful local director program that makes joining Miss Universe Philippines (more accessible) for a lot of women throughout the country and also other countries,” he added. “This year, there are a lot of queens who have won, both in local and international pageants. When they asked us for advice, we told them that no one can stop them from pursuing their plans. But we also cannot promise or guarantee what the results will be… proud to say, it is always the judges that have the final say.”
During the press event, Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida was named the new MUPH national director, succeeding Shamcey Supsup-Lee. The latter earlier filed her certificate of candidacy as Pasig City’s first district councilor. Ariella thanked the MUPH organization for the trust and opportunity that they had given her. “I know these are big shoes to fill in. But not everyone knows that even from the start, on how the MUPH started, I was there, looking at them,” she said. “I still got to talk with them. So, I’m still involved in what’s happening and I’ve supported them from the very start. And little did I know that after five years, I would be here. And now I’m part of the team. And not only that, I’m the national director.”
She is excited for what’s coming in with the organization. “Let’s be more mindful. Let’s spread kindness and love to all our delegates and to all the people around the organization.” “And to all the girls backstage, I know it’s so hard to be part of MUPH. If you would ask me if I’m gonna join again, I don’t think I can because every year, it gets harder and harder, tougher and tougher but I salute all the girls for joining and for pursuing their dream,” concluded she.
Source: philstar.com
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