ALBAY to GUIPOS, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR

ALBAY – Rani Lachmi Dado. Skipping 2023 didn’t go without repercussions for the home of Mayon as it missed the cut upon its return. Hoping to restore its fortunes is this junior architect, whose vaguely Indian features and bubbly personality make her a worthy possibility. Parading first may or may not help.

ANGELES CITY – Ira de Castro. This dancer and fitness instructor earned her International Business degree in The Hague, and we all know why that Dutch city made recent headlines.  This year’s field is way too vast to peg her as a shoo-in, but she can conceivably defy those odds.

BACOLOD CITY – Louise Lian Enumerable-Bobe. As a single woman, this banker represented Negros Island in Mutya ng Pilipinas 2017, where she won Miss Photogenic and placed in the Top 12. She can still excel, if not necessarily to the same degree. It’s great to see her earn another lease in pageantry as a married mom.

BACOOR CITY – Natsumi Sekiguchi. There’s comfort knowing that Victoria Velasquez Vincent eventually found her way to the Miss Universe stage, even if she didn’t exactly restore New Zealand’s fortunes. Now, we have this half-Japanese representing Cavite’s gateway city as its third consecutive bet of foreign lineage. She may not be as highly-touted as her Kiwi predecessor, but this car enthusiast makes a striking impression.

BAGO CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF SAN FRANCISCO) – Kayla Jane Usison. Angles of this Bay Area beauty call to mind a younger Katrina Dimaranan, which might be an ace. And, thanks to the sash switch, the country’s Boxing Capital now makes its first appearance in this tilt. That Runway Showcase placement was a good start.

BAGUIO CITY – Gwendoline Meliz Soriano. No clear reason was given for this actress’ withdrawal from Bb. Pilipinas 2022, but what a way to rally back. She’s another stunner from the City of Pines, which has been on a roll since 2022. And, much as there are powerful veterans in her midst, remember that this contest has penchant for rewarding last minute contenders. Just take her Hello Glow placement and Wuling Philippines’ Queen of the Drive win as possible hints. It’s also great to see her bounce back after her medical emergency.

BASEY, SAMAR – Yoshabel Lebico. Had the second edition of The Miss Philippines pushed through, this model would have represented Tacloban. It’s curious that she “crossed the sea” for this tilt. While no frontrunner, she’s a worthwhile debutante from her municipality, aptly named after the Waray word for “beautiful”.

BATANGAS – Yana Ysabel Maranan. Turns out, the Batangueña breakthrough already happened last year, except Patricia Bianca Tapia represented Hawaii. It lessens the burden for this Tanaueña model, who, while no favorite, has infectious personality to spare. 

BENGUET – Maiko Ibarde. Comparisons to Miss Universe 2022 2nd Runner-Up Andreina Martinez aren’t exaggerated, as this proud Igorita does channel the iconic Dominicana on certain angles. If she plays her cards right, her Cordillera province may just be poised for a breakthrough. Her placements in both Personality and Swimsuit showcases could be added aces.

BOHOL – Tyra Rae Goldman. There were murmurs that Pauline Amelinckx considered Round Four. She herself hinted as much in a social media post. But, surprise, surprise, here we have one of her Mutya ng Pilipinas successors donning her provincial sash. There’s reason to believe she still has a shot, even if pre-pageant buzz has noticeably dissipated. She’s one of the Hello Glow Top 10 placers and is currently up for Face of Mags.

BULACAN – Franchezca Mae Pacheco. For one thing, she’s from the incumbent titleholder’s home province. So, even if this psychology graduate is hardly mentioned, Chelsea Manalo’s luck might still rub off on her.

BUTUAN CITY – Jadine Lezz Banagan.  Agusan del Norte first placed in 2023, and there’s thrill in finally seeing its constituent city in action. This out-and-proud 21-year-old may be no favorite, but her back story of recovering from a barangay pageant mishap did inspire.

CALOOCAN (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA) – Allyson Mei Ee. She may hail from Northern California, but, here, she represents the North of NCR. Her grasp of Tagalog is still quite solid, which adds to this chemical engineer’s relatable charm. Much as her overall prospects remain unclear, winning the Pili.Pina Sustainability Advocate Award gives her further mileage.

CAMARINES NORTE (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA) – Karenza de Leon. Of the imports from Down Under, this Fil-Korean’s the one donning her home country’s sash. She’s a solid contender, though she’s not particularly top of mind among both Aussie and Bicolana contingents. Still, it’s a welcome, overdue debut for the northern half of Camarines.

CAMARINES SUR – Shaina Rabacal. The home of Venus Raj and Rachel Peters finally returns after bowing out early in 2021. This aspiring psychologist may not be the earning much buzz, but she can possibly outrun the other Bicolanas in the final tally. With luck, she might even go further.

CAMIGUIN – Larsine Grace Jensen. From her surname, this CosmoWorld Philippines alumna’s obviously of Eurasian lineage, and how cute that she has an equally stunning twin sister. Granted she defies the odds, she might just finally score a breakthrough for her island province. It should be about time, since her viral predecessor was just as competitive.

CAVITE – Jezreal de Ocampo. Dia Mate, may have missed the cut last year, but she went on to win the country’s second Reina Hispanoamericana crown by way of another franchise. This Miss Philippines Earth alumna is also of high calibre, but is not unanimously pegged as a shoo-in.

CEBU CITY – Gabriella Mai Carballo. Since the contest’s inception, at least one Cebuana has made the cut each year. And remember: the best Miss Universe placer from this franchise hailed from this city. This Miami-born doctor may not be foreseen to follow Bea Gomez’s footsteps, but we can safely expect the streak to continue. Her preliminary interview pretty much seals her chances.

DAVAO (FIIPINO SOCIETY OF HAWAII) – Angeleyh Pasco. It’s unclear whether this Oahu-based artist is representing Davao the city or Davao the region. Either way, her cosmopolitan pan-Asian looks are a standout. She could very well be the second consecutive Hawaiian to make the cut, and third overall, since Iloilo Province 2022, Vanessa Caro, is also from the Aloha State.

DIPOLOG – Jazzle Shannen Iba. With social studies major Faith Genobaten bowing out early, this student journalist is now sent in her stead. Much as she might ace the interview-based categories, it’s a steep uphill climb overall.

DUMAGUETE (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN) – Shamara Krupa. This poised young lady from Leicester was reassigned to Negros Oriental’s capital, which spares us the confusion of seeing the “Great Britain” and “England” sashes going head to head. She’s the more competitive of the two Fil-Brits in the lot, though a placement feels far from assured.

GUIPOS, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR – Princess Nanda Ibrahim. This 18-year-old took a shot at MUPH-Dipolog before being appointed to represent Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte. It’s unclear why she ended up representing the Zamboanga del Sur municipality instead, and if the locality-hopping will do this charming teen any favor.