IFUGAO to OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

IFUGAO (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF NEW YORK) – Valerie Claire West. True, this singer’s every inch a New Yorker, with no trace of Cordillera upbringing. Then again, we don’t always see the home of Banaue Rice Terraces emblazoned on a national sash. And, judging from her placements in the Swimsuit, Runway, and Personality Showcases, this could very well be an auspicious debut for her home province. She’s the likeliest to go far among the overseas girls.

ILIGAN CITY – Juliana Fresado. This industrial city in Northern Mindanao pre-qualified in 2021, but now finally makes its onstage debut. This stunner may have entered under the radar, but outrunning the veterans in both the Personality Showcase and the Wuling Philippines’ Queen of the Drive fashion show might be an auspicious sign. We’re now looking at another potential usurper.

ILOCOS SUR (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON) – Jeanne Nicole Lipa. She may hail from Seattle, but now, she’s determined to follow through Jewel Palacat’s 2022 breakthrough. It’s not far-fetched, as she does have the eye-catching looks (think Pinay Mila Kunis). It’s the lack of buzz thus far that worries.

ILOILO CITY – Karen Nicole Piccio. Obviously, this city has a stronghold to defend, with Rabiya Mateo being the maiden titleholder and Alexie Brooks now being the country’s third Miss Eco International winner. Not much was said about this veteran at first, but her poignant interview may have bolstered her chances. She wasn’t a Miss Philippines Earth finalist for nothing.

ILOILO PROVINCE (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF ENGLAND) – Angeline Kailani. The last time we had two Ilonggas in the mix, both of them made the first cut. While the scenario isn’t foreseen to happen again just yet, this London-based lass did place in the Personality Showcase. Her gimmicky two-in-one gown presentation might also help.

ISABELA – Jarina Sandhu. Among this year’s first-timers, this half-Indian enjoyed the most pre-pageant hype. It’s safe to assume that eyes are still on her, especially with her Swimsuit and Personality Showcase placements. Having the same surname as Miss Universe 2021 also enhances recall. 

KALIBO, AKLAN – MJ Fernandez. This 18-year-old started the race as the lone Aklanon, albeit confined to the provincial capital. The re-sashing might have given her American compatriot the edge, but she’s still a worthwhile candidate.

LAGUNA – Eloisa Jaoud. Her winning an actual provincial contest didn’t stop an appointed veteran from her home province from gaining an edge. Nevertheless, this Fil-Indian is also enjoying quite a momentum, especially with her Swimsuit Showcase placement. She’s now pegged as the newcomer likeliest to pull a Chelsea Manalo, and understandably so. It would only take a Final Night showstopper to secure that upset.

LAPU-LAPU CITY – Natasha Shay Testa. She was supposed to represent Cebu in The Miss Philippines 2024, but was re-directed here instead. Muted buzz aside, it’s nice to her ending up where she intended to be. Isn’t it why she joined MUPH-Cebu last year, in the first place?

LAS PIÑAS CITY (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF CANADA-WEST) – Kristel David. She may be the least experienced Canadian in the fray, but she had a great start as a Swimsuit Showcase qualifier and, now, winner of the Pili.Pina Spirit of Beauty award. That’s more than enough to put this Vancouver native in the radar. Plus, it’s good to see the Home of the Bamboo Organs back after three years.

LEYTE (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF FLORIDA)- Victoria Maelona Johnson. This Tampa native was a Runner-Up in last year’s Miss Philippines Earth, but her low-key presentations so far don’t assure a similar finish.

LILIW, LAGUNA (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF NEW JERSEY) – Pauline Rowbelle del Mundo. She may be overshadowed, but it’s a huge stride seeing a 32-year-old divorcee aiming to represent a country that still adamantly resists divorce. And, hopefully, she does eventually score a part in Hamilton.

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA – Rendelle Ann Caraig. Fresh from her exciting run at the 60th Bb. Pilipinas Pageant, this marketing associate now aims to make her city proud here. It’s a tough call, though, since two of the top contenders already hail from her province. It remains to be seen if they can afford another slot for Laguna.

LUCENA CITY (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF SYDNEY) – Renee Isabella Dela Cruz. As a member of both Fil-Aussie and Quezon Province contingents, she’s overshadowed by veterans. There’s a remote chance she can still salvage her prospects, but she’ll practically need to claw her way up.

MALAY, AKLAN (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA) – Taylor Marie De Luna. The municipality she represents holds jurisdiction over Boracay, though she failed to figure in the Aqua Boracay Swimsuit Showcase. She’s still the Aklanon-most-likely, nonetheless, as she figured in both Runway Showcase and Face of Mags. She can also easily overtake Ifugao in the overseas race.

MANILA – Jasmine Robelle Paguio. Of the three Fil-Canadians in the fray, she’s the only one not sent by the Canadian accredited partner. In fact, prior to this, she’s already proven her mettle in both Miss Philippines Earth 2022 and Hiyas ng Pilipinas 2024. There’s a strong chance she can bring the nation’s capital back in contention. Anything further than that would be a welcome bonus.

MUNTINLUPA – Teresita Sen “Winwyn” Marquez. Lo and behold, she’s finally heeded her fans’ call. 10 years since she started her pageant journey and eight since winning the country’s first Reina Hispanoamericana crown, the actress is finally taking a shot at the Universe stage once again. And, of course, this time, we have the abolished restrictions to thank, since she’s now a 32-year-old mom. Yet despite the understandably astronomical hype and deluge of special awards, she has no reason to rest on her laurels. Apart from the presence of other highly-esteemed veterans, the odds of cousins winning two years apart remain uncertain. Whatever the case, it’s exhilarating to see her firing on all cylinders, whether she’s working the catwalk or grabbing the mic. She’s bound to put up a show (as if that isn’t happening already).

NAGA CITY – Zoe Sofia Gabon (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA). She’s not your run-of-the-mill Pinay kontesera, that’s for sure. She’s a US Navy veteran who proposed to her now-husband unbeknownst to her mother and her right sleeve is heavily-tattooed, which she somehow cleared up for the preliminaries. Should she parlay that Swimsuit Showcase citation to a placement, she’s bound to add color to the mix.

NAIC, CAVITE – Kaye Pastelero. She may be the most overlooked Caviteña, but she has enough charm to salvage points, especially in her candid preliminary interview.

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – Franches Anne Laquibla. Bacolod and Bago City may have more experience and challenge citations, respectively, but the provincial bet doesn’t trail behind, looks-wise. With luck, this young mom can join (or even outrun) her city counterparts in making the cut.

NUEVA ECIJA (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF MELBOURNE) – Chanel Olive Thomas. It’s sentimental to see this Miss Supranational 2017 finalist still in top form in what she hinted as her final hurrah. Much as she’s criminally underrated, expect her to still edge out a favorite or two, once she gets handed a mic. Nothing’s stopping her from rallying harder.

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO – Ain Nigyla Abad. Not only are both Mindoros competing together for the first time, their bets are also both making waves. Not much is said about this 20-year-old, but she has enough competitive spirit to bolster her chances. How else could she manage joining three minor pageants one year prior?