ORIENTAL MINDORO to TUGUEGARAO

ORIENTAL MINDORO – Rechel Hoco. As Rechel in Dubai, this content creator has quite the following. That’s bound to give her an edge in anything that involves a Fan Vote of sorts (BingoPlus, perhaps?). Not that she would rely solely on that, mind you, because she does have competitive edge. Her preliminary evening gown was a dazzling showstopper.

OZAMIZ – Irish Raine Sescon. Similar to Guipos, this animal welfare advocate was  initially set to represent Pagadian, before defaulting to her home city. She’s another underrated performer who looks like the second coming of Gazini Ganados.

PAMPANGA – Rhancoise Marie Mayangitan. Her local pageant endured the most shake-ups, from Porac’s transgender entrant, Keylyn Trajano, mysteriously pulling out before the finals to eventual winner, Krizza Yco, prioritizing her studies instead. It’s unclear why the 4th Runner-Up ended up taking over. While a Mutya ng Pilipinas also-ran in 2016, this medical doctor now seems more equipped for a better finish, especially with her Runway Showcase placement. 

PANGASINAN – Andrea Cayabyab. Not much was said about this engineering student prior to her Runway and Swimsuit Showcase placements. Now, she seems to have a fair shot at scoring a second placement for her province, if not replicate Maureen Wroblewitz’s achievement. 

PARAÑAQUE – Jenny Kim Agasid. The city may have skipped 2022 and 2024, but it placed in the editions it did attend. This Mutya ng Pilipinas alumna isn’t mentioned much, though she did show polish in the preliminaries.

PASAY – Amanda Russo. The only time this city placed thus far was courtesy of 2022 winner Celeste Cortesi, and it still hurts to recall what transpired after. This Gal Gadot dead-ringer from Chester County seems poised to put her adoptive city back in contention – despite not actually living there. She was a qualifier in the Runway Showcase.  

PASIG – Alessandra Isabella Eugenio. It’s hard to blame anyone who initially misreads her surname as Eusebio, because, remember, Mandaluyong did once send an Abalos. Well, that, of course, isn’t the case. And while this dark horse isn’t enjoying the same hype as her barrier-breaking predecessor, Selena Antonio-Reyes, she has the props to fight for a slot.

QUEZON CITY – Zoe Hinay Honeyman. Just like Manila’s Canadian representative, this FIl-Aussie wasn’t sent by the Australian accredited partner, but by the city she’s actually representing. She’s another worthy entrant, with a fair shot at continuing what Michelle Gumabao started  – that is, if she overcomes the onslaught of heavy favorites standing in her way.  

QUEZON PROVINCE – Maria Ahtisa Manalo. At this point, you either take her surprise return as perseverance or overthink the implications, given that she’s still technically a titleholder within the same holdings group. So, are the finally going to give it to her? Well, much as it feels overdue, it’s, frankly, even harder to call. It’s a more intense all-star battle this time, and we still don’t discount the possibility of another underdog conquering it all. Best she can do for now is pull all stops, which she always does, even in worst-case scenarios like suffering a sprain in Vietnam. More than likely, she’ll ease into the winners’ circle once again, especially now that she’s started to really reveal her different sides. It’s earning the plum title that remains in dispute. 

QUIRINO – Bianca Ylanan. Going for this medical scientist are her dusky complexion, pan-Asian features, and lively personality. She’s another worthy dark horse.

ROMBLON – Mariah Nicole Valdez. The country’s Marble Capital placed consecutively in the first two editions before going on hiatus. Now, that it’s back, it might just struggle to regain its momentum. She’s a worthwhile contender, but largely overshadowed.

SAMAR ISLAND – Kathreen Kaye Dacanay. She may hail from Borongan on the Eastern side, but she’s here representing her entire island – which is funny, because one of its dinky municipalities is also present. She’s a near-dead ringer to Miss Universe 2020, Andrea Meza in certain angles, which might warrant second looks.  

SAN FERNANDO, CEBU – Thelma Suzanne Dayao. In a way, she’s the new Miss Cebu Province, with early favorite Chella Falconer now out of the running. But, then again, this is the accredited partner system, so she continues being her municipality’s bet. In another year jam-packed with Cebuanas, she isn’t exactly the most hyped. Although, she did briefly figure in the Runway Showcase tally.

SAN JOSE, BATANGAS (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF CANADA-EAST) – Jessica Victoria Cianchino. This Fil-Italian Ontario native has had quite a track record, having joined both Miss Asia Pacific International 2019 and Miss Earth 2022 under the Canadian sash. Now that she’s tapping her Filipina side, she started strong with placements in both the Swimsuit and Runway Showcases. If this keeps up, the name “Batangas” might just finally earn more airtime. 

SIARGAO – Millien Joy Cabigas. For the third time, the surfing paradise competes in Surigao del Norte’s stead. This aspiring lawyer made great progress with her Swimsuit and Runway Showcase citations. Now, her solid preliminary performance might just seal the deal.

SINILOAN, LAGUNA – Yllana Marie Aduana. The clamor was already persistent even before she stepped down as Miss Earth-Air. So, imagine the emotional roller-coaster fans went through when she skipped MUPh-Laguna, only to be appointed by her municipality soon after. It’s nice to see her fire still ablaze, given that she’s been in the circuit non-stop since 2021. It’s like still seeing her for the first time. And, while it’s too soon to peg her as the undisputed favorite, there’s this gnawing feeling she’ll grace the global stage once again – even if it won’t necessarily be via the main crown.  

SULTAN KUDARAT – Chelsea Lovely Fernandez. Clearly, it wasn’t the end when the former Bb. Pilipinas Globe opted out of MUPh-Samar, or even representing Eastern Visayas, for that matter. Because, here she is, now representing her province of birth, which last pre-qualified in 2022. It’s more than certain she’ll obtain a record high not just for her sash, but for the whole of Soccsksargen. As for her overall prospects, however, she still has to face off with other heavy frontrunners.

TACLOBAN – Angela Norwillen Cabel-Quiloña. Last year, the Happiest City secured its breakthrough when Tamara Ocier won the Casting Reel challenge. There’s a fair chance this married mom can continue that trajectory with her Personality Showcase placement. But even without that possible fast track, she also has the merits to gain ground.

TAGUIG – Maria Katrina Llegado. She’s always looked Universe-ready, even though she tends to be out-performed in Q&A. And it’s probably the only thing that stands between this accomplished veteran and becoming the absolute frontrunner. Now that her rhetoric has started showing more polish, she can still aim for the winners’ circle, if not exceed her previous 2nd Runner-Up finish. It’s the emerging contenders that still leaves less room for guarantees. 

TANDAG CITY, SURIGAO DEL SUR – Dañelle Ann Catalan. Again, it’s peculiar that the Surigao girls aren’t competing under their respective provinces. This one entered the race below the radar, but raised her stakes after being shortlisted in the Personality Showcase.

TARLAC – Sasha Juli Belle Lacuna. This Bb. Kanlahi alumna may lack the Challenge placements to substantiate the early hype, but she’s not one to sleep on. On the contrary, she might just rally for a breakthrough for her province, whose best previous shot was being pre-qualified in 2021. Talk about making up for lost time.

TUGUEGARAO – Thea Samantha Lacanlalay. Thanks to the accredited partner system, the Cagayan Valley competes under its capital since for the second straight year. This future veterinarian appears to have better prospects than her predecessor. But in this elevated field, she might be subject to the same outcome.