MANILA, Philippines – The pursuit of the country’s second blue crown is now in full swing as Miss World Philippines officially sashed this year’s candidates at Okada Manila on Friday, January 16. Most of the contenders are fresh faces in the pageant industry, but each arrives with a long-standing advocacy and a clear sense of purpose.

Headed by Miss World Philippines 2025 Krishnah Gravidez and national director Arnold Vegafria, 24 queens were formally introduced to compete in the 2026 edition of one of the most anticipated beauty competitions in the country.

The candidates faced the public for the first time, offering a glimpse of their stage prowess through a group performance number and a swimsuit runway. Beyond poise and presentation, their wit and motivation were also put to the test during a question and answer portion with members of the media, where they shared their perspectives on various social issues and demonstrated depth beyond beauty.

This year’s competition is marked by an influx of new faces, reflecting the growing interest in pageantry not only among Filipino communities within the Philippines, but also among Filipinos abroad.

“We tried our best to get new faces. Actually, it was intentional and we were successful. I want to develop new faces, especially ladies coming from different provinces,” Vegafria said. “I want to give them a chance to be part of the national stage.”

Among the standouts was Jayvee Lyn Lorejo, representing the Davao Region, who despite being a newcomer in the industry, was named Darling of the Press during the event. She is joined by Valerie Pawid West of Ifugao Province and Margarethe Romano from the Filipino community in the United Kingdom.

DARLINGS OF THE PRESS. Jayvee, Valerie, and Margarethe were recognized by the pageant media for their strong initial presentation and performance during the question and answer portion of the event. Kevin Ian Lampayan/Rappler

For Vegafria, selecting candidates from a wide range of regions strengthens the organization’s mission to expand representation while using the pageant as a platform to support local tourism.

“Aside from ensuring that we truly get representation from even the farthest corners of our provinces and cities, this directive also allows us to continue our legacy of promoting local tourism through our humble efforts,” he said.

A shared pressure toward four crowns

Other than the Miss World Philippines title, the candidates will also vie for Miss Global Philippines, Universal Woman Philippines, and Miss Tourism International Philippines, all part of the growing roster of pageant franchises under ALV Pageant Circle.

With the country’s strong track record in international pageants in the previous year, the call for a second blue crown since Megan Young in 2013 has long been a resounding one among Filipinos.

Just recently, ALV made history by securing back to back wins with CJ Opiaza and Emma Tiglao at Miss Grand International, on top of other victories from 2025. These include Dia Mate, who was crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2025, and Nikki Buenafe Cheveh, who won Face of Beauty International 2025.

As for Gravidez, her run at Miss World 2025 proved to be a powerful one, noted for her majestic presence, captivating singing talent, and an impactful advocacy centered on the youth. While she did not take home the crown, she finished gracefully in the top eight and was later awarded the title Miss World Asia.

QUEENS OF THE WORLD. Universal Woman 2025 Jasmine Omay, Miss World Asia 2025 Krishnah Gravidez, and Miss World Philippines 2025 Sophia Bianca Santos grace the sashing ceremony of this year’s pageant edition. Kevin Ian Lampayan/Rappler

Because of this, national director Arnold Vegafria shared that there is strong pressure this year to finally bring home the Miss World crown, turning the pursuit into both a personal challenge and a national mission.

“It’s about time that we have to have a new Miss World coming from the Philippines. It’s a pressure actually. I’m putting pressure on myself and I’m also pressuring my team,” Vegafria said. “Let’s deliver naman what the Filipinos want.”

More than the competition

Beyond winning a crown, the national director hopes that the competition continues to hone and support the candidates’ advocacies in line with the Beauty With a Purpose initiative of the Miss World organization, a standard the candidates have strongly upheld.

“The Beauty With a Purpose advocacy has snowballed into diverse initiatives such as education, cancer prevention, and mental health, all contributing to the betterment of marginalized and disadvantaged sectors of society,” Vegafria shared.

He further emphasized that as the country has faced numerous calamities in recent months, outreach efforts and fundraising initiatives aimed at empowering affected communities have remained a top priority for the organization.

Additionally, Vegafria hopes that win or lose, the candidates carry with them the value of sisterhood, where they are encouraged to support one another and build meaningful relationships that extend beyond the pageant season.

“Experience is on top of the list, but most important is the sisterhood. The way I look at it, our organization is not only after the show and then it ends. I want them to continue the relationship and continue their charity work,” he said.

A TEASE OF WITS. The 24 candidates of Miss World Philippines 2026 showcased their wit and personalities during a question and answer session with the press. Kevin Ian Lampayan/Rappler

Ultimately, for Vegafria, pageantry has always played a broader role. It serves as a platform to promote national and local tourism while bringing attention to communities that are often overlooked, proving that beyond glamour lies purpose, responsibility, and the ability to inspire change.

A series of mini-competitions will take place in the coming days, including the Beauty With a Purpose presentation and a charity gala. The journey will culminate on coronation night on February 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasig City. – Rappler.com