The road to the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 crown has officially narrowed with the announcement of the Top 31 delegates advancing after the preliminary interview round of the national competition.
The announcement was made during the Charity Gala Night held on April 18 at City of Dreams Manila in Parañaque City, organized by the Miss Universe Philippines Organization. Originally, only 30 candidates were expected to advance, but one additional delegate was included, expanding the official list to 31.
The event also served as a fundraising initiative supporting partner charities Hope for Change, Project Pearls, and Miss Possibilities, highlighting the pageant’s advocacy-driven platform.
Despite the elimination round, all 50 candidates still graced the stage in a fashion showcase featuring Filipiniana gowns by Edwin Uy, Chico Estiva, and MUPH creative director Albert Andrada.
The Top 31 selection was based on preliminary interviews, performance evaluations, and public voting via the Maya app.
Here are the Top 31 Candidates:
- Apriel Smith – Cebu City
- Neil Silva – Occidental Mindoro
- Allyson Hetland – Pampanga
- Zestah Espinosa – Iloilo City
- Alicia Buendia – Rizal (Filipino Society of Southern California)
- Jenrose Javier – Sultan Kudarat
- Scarlett Anne De Mesa – Los Baños, Laguna
- Roxie Baeyens – Baguio
- Marian Arellano – Tarlac
- Justine Felizarta – Manila
- Jacqueline Aluning – Nueva Vizcaya (Filipino Society of Washington)
- Donna Rein Nuguid – Pangasinan
- Nicole Borromeo – Cebu Province
- Alexandra Colmenares – Negros Occidental
- Chrsytel Mae Correos – Tandag City
- Ysabella Ysmael – Taguig
- Princess Ryla Hernandez – Cabanatuan City (Filipino Society of Alberta, Canada)
- Lyneree Montero-Yodong – Mountain Province
- Jayka Munsayac – San Jose, Negros Oriental (Filipino Society of Bellevue, Washington)
- Erica Cadayday – Camiguin
- Catherine Wardle – Samar Island
- Clarissa Westram – Cotabato Province
- Michelle Burchelle – Nueva Ecija (Filipino Society of United Kingdom)
- Ysabel Prats – Laguna
- Bea Millan-Windorski – La Union
- Patricia Ella Evangelista – Quezon Province
- Alexandra Krishna Oriño – Albay
- Adela-Mae Marshall – Muntinlupa
- Jencel Caña – Cavite
- Cherieze Cacayorin – Ilocos Norte (Filipino Society of Hawaii)
- Jacqueline Gulrajani – Tacloban City
Organizers confirmed that the preliminary swimsuit performances will be released on April 19, 2026, which will determine the final Top 20 candidates advancing to the next stage of the competition.
The Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night will be held on May 2, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, where reigning queen and Miss Universe 2025 3rd runner-up Ahtisa Manalo will formally pass on the national crown to her successor, who will represent the Philippines at Miss Universe.
