Miss Universe Philippines 2026 kicks off with 51 aspirants and a digital twist

Beyond the glitz of the launch, this year signals a pivotal shift in format. The organization introduced a multi-stage competition that combines traditional judging with digital audience participation — allowing supporters to help shape the outcome from preliminaries to coronation night.

For Philippines national director Ariella Arida, the freshness of the batch makes this edition particularly exciting.

“Every year naman surprising lagi ang mga batch ng girls especially now. I think this is a different one kasi it’s all raw beauties, and ang mga napansin ko rin, the girls are all tall coming from different provinces. They have different faces–super pinay, may ‘half’ pero, all of them look so beautiful,” she said in an interview with radar Entertainment.

“It’s very exciting kasi when the girls are ‘raw.’ You don’t really know kung sino sa kanila [will stand out], unless it’s Finals Night. So, this is something I’m looking forward to this year,” she added.

A format built for the digital age

Instead of a single preliminary competition, segments will be released in phases: evening gown, swimsuit, and interviews, with public voting helping determine who advances.

Delegates who fall short in votes remain eligible through panel selections, brand picks, and wildcard entries to be revealed on Finals Night. Digital voting will also be integrated during Coronation Night.

“Right now, we have to adapt to the digital world. We need to maximize these platforms, so it’s nice to mix the traditional and modern ways—ganon naman talaga sa pageantry. We need to adapt to change, and with this new format, everyone has a fair chance to be part of the semifinals. The judges’ votes and the people’s votes still matter, and it doesn’t mean that if you don’t make it the first time, wala ka nang chance in the finals. It’s a new, exciting format,” Arida explained.

The 51 official candidates

Representing cities, provinces, and Filipino communities abroad, the official candidates for Miss Universe Philippines 2026 are the following:

• Albay – Alexandra Krishna Oriño
• Bacolod City – Megan Larisse Baldevia
• Bacoor City – Felicia Aldana
• Baguio – Roxie Baeyens
• Batangas – Kath Caseñas
• Cabanatuan & Filipino Society of Alberta, Canada – Princess Ryla Hernandez
• Camiguin – Erica Jean Cadayday
• Cavite Province – Jencel Manansala Caña
• Cebu City – Apriel Smith
• Cebu Province – Nicole Borromeo
• Cotabato Province – Clarissa Westram
• Dasmariñas City – Tyra Jane Godino
• Iligan City – Trexy Paris Roxas
• Ilocos Norte & Filipino Society of Hawaii – Charieze Cacayorin
• Iloilo City – Zestah Espinosa
• Iloilo Province – Nicklyn Jutay
• Kalibo, Aklan – Imelda Schweighart
• Laguna – Ysabel Cecilia Prats
• Las Piñas & Filipino Society of Florida – Avegail Kultsar
• La Union – Bea Millan-Windorski
• Leyte – Kareyl Cabahog
• Los Baños, Laguna – Scarlett De Mesa
• Luisiana, Laguna – Ashley Subijano Montenegro
• Manila – Justine Beatrice Felizarta
• Mountain Province – Lyneree Montero Yodong
• Muntinlupa – Adela Mae Marshall
• Negros Occidental Province – Alexandria Colmenares
• Negros Oriental – Fatima Alsowyed
• Nueva Ecija – Michelle Tantoco Burchell
• Nueva Vizcaya & Filipino Society of Washington State – Jacqueline Aluning
• Occidental Mindoro – Neil Silva
• Palawan – Aviona Dass
• Pampanga – Allyson Arceo Hetland
• Pangasinan – Donna Nuguid
• Parañaque – Aria Pauline Galvez
• Pateros – Kristen Joy Marcelino
• Quezon Province & Filipino Society of Australia – Ella Evangelista
• Rizal Province & Filipino Society of Southern California – Alicia Buendia
• Samar Island – Catherine Bareja Wardle
• San Carlos City, Pangasinan – Rose Annse Ann Cariño Albania
• San Jose, Negros Oriental & Filipino Society of Bellevue, Washington – Jayka Munsayac
• Santo Tomas, La Union & Filipino Society of Seattle – Rachel-Hanna Gozum
• Sarangani & Filipino Society of West Asia – Nicole Cruz
• Southern Leyte – Renee Rose Pascual Patual
• Sultan Kudarat – Jen Rose Javier
• Taal, Batangas & Filipino Society of Northern California – Juliana Aquino
• Tacloban City – Jacqueline Samson Gulrajani
• Taguig – Ysabella Roxas Ysmael
• Tandag City, Surigao del Sur – Chrystel Mae Correos
• Tarlac Province – Marian Arellano
• Tuguegarao – Maria Janica Aquino

A season of possibilities

The next queen will succeed reigning titleholder Ahtisa Manalo, whose strong international finish last year raised expectations for the country’s next bet on the Miss Universe stage.

With a broadened voting system, global Filipino representation, and a lineup that blends veterans and newcomers, Miss Universe Philippines 2026 is shaping up to be one of its most unpredictable editions yet—where not only the judges, but the nation itself, will help decide who ultimately wears the crown.

 

 

Right now, we have to adapt to the digital world. We need to maximize these platforms, so it’s nice to mix the traditional and modern ways—ganon naman talaga sa pageantry. We need to adapt to change.

Ariella Arida

 

 

READ: