For the second straight year, I was asked to judge Miss Teen International Philippines by its pageant director, film and TV writer Charlotte Dianco. Once again, the contest was held in Tanghalang Pasigueño, with actor Lance Raymundo taking over as host. 

Unlike the whirlwind stint that was 2023, I received the invite months ahead this time. What made this go-round a nail-biter, though, were the delays caused by Typhoon Kristine, which forced the organization to postpone from its original October schedule. So, notwithstanding the January 2025 pageant date, this sixth staging was still considered the 2024 edition. But, hey, it’s not like we’ve never seen the big leagues like Miss Universe and Miss World resort to the same over the past decade. What matters is that the show went on. 

It was a pleasantly exhilarating evening, as I got to reunite with past industry colleagues. To my left was MTRCB board member Ms. Joann Bañaga, one of the head honchos during my early years in the Home Network. Now, she’s involved in a Hollywood movie set to be filmed in our shores. To my right was the pageant’s maiden titleholder, Simone Nadine Bornilla, whom fans remember as Marinduque’s representative in both Miss Universe Philippines 2021 and Miss World Philippines 2022. As you’d expect, she got to share a few anecdotes with me, through our small talks. And, by the way: how amusing that they still introduced me as a tarot reader.

10 teens vied for the plum prize, with each going through four areas of competition: National Costume, Swimsuit, Evening Gown, and Interview. The upside of having such a small roster, aside from a faster show, is that it’s already a hallowed group. In other words, it already felt like the semifinals, with nobody subject to elimination midway. Everyone remained eligible to win from beginning to end. And, technically, everyone did. 

Outside of the winners’ circle, five titles were awarded to the young ladies outside the statistical Top Five. Winning Miss Teen Heritage and Miss Teen Culture, respectively, were aspiring actresses Audrey Nicole Angeles of Taguig and Sabrina Renee Bautista of Cagayan Valley. The latter was a National Costume standout because she was accompanied by a man disguised as a carabao. 

Mountain Province’s Eizhlai Junella Baggay, the Congeniality winner and the closest this batch had to a Cinderella story, won Miss Teen Environment. While Giulliane Aebryl Taperla, the Closed Door Interview champ from Bulacan, won Miss Tourism. 

Scoring the most accolades in this tier was Parañaque’s Jomelle Joegy Marquez, one of two Miss Alta sponsor award winners, and recipient of the Pageantry Fanatics Queen and Best in Long Gown citations. With her off-shoot of a name and the city she represented, one can easily pinpoint her pedigree, and switching to that green gown before the announcement should have dropped more hints. And perhaps, the family tradition served her well: She won Miss Teen Charity. Not bad for a beginner who’d turned 15 merely two weeks prior. 

Now, we move to the royal court. 4th Runner-Up was Nueva Vizcaya’s Danielle Alexandria Villalba, who was styled like a pink-wearing Audrey Hepburn in her gown.She also articulated her advocacy the best. 

3rd Runner-Up was Batangas’ Princess Feona Lupena. It’s interesting that, for the second year in a row, I personally crowned the girl who drew me during Q&A. Earlier, I asked for her message to the sampaguita vendor kicked by the security guard in that viral video. I’m glad to say, she provided a balanced response. She praised the girl for standing up for herself, but she also reminded her of the tenets of respecting elders.  

I wish Muntinlupa’s Romina Andrea Rellosa earned more than Miss Photogenic. But, then, she wasn’t the only frontrunner here. The pre-pageant favorite finished 2nd Runner-Up, a great start for her pageant journey nonetheless. And, then, there’s the province of Camarines Norte, earning 1st Runner-Up for the second straight year, thanks to the very eloquent Chiara Mae Gottschalk. Earlier that night, the FIl-German chatterbox also bagged awards for Casual Wear, Introductory Video, and Audience Choice. She also shared the Miss Alta sponsor title with Parañaque. 

Yet, tight as the competition seemed, one young lady eventually emerged as the clear frontrunner. And that was Rizal’s Eliana Jeanne Dequina. Honestly, it was impossible to score her below 95 in all categories, given her amazing presence and stage chops. So, it was no surprise that she topped both National Costume and Swimsuit categories, in addition to her special awards for Pasarela, Talent, and curiously, Halloween Costume (because, again, the competition did kick off in October). You can only imagine how she’d fare on the international stage, or for that matter, if she forays into adult competitions. That one’s not far-fetched. 

Much as the pageant has yet to make huge impact, its fortitude is worth commending. Since 2018, its titleholders have gone on to shine in their respective global competitions. And given Charlotte’s stint as a scriptwriter, a number of its notable alumnae have started testing the waters in showbiz, particularly acting. If anything, it proves that it’s not always about the hype, but about the doors it opens. I look forward to witnessing its growth in years to come.