The Miss Universe Philippines officially introduced its 51 candidates for the 2026 edition during “The Reveal” Parade and Press Presentation on February 16, signaling a bold shift in the national pageant’s format.
Prior to the formal press presentation at the grand ballroom of City of Dreams Manila, the delegates staged a historic 3 p.m. parade around the SM Mall of Asia complex, drawing throngs of supporters and pageant fans in an unprecedented public kickoff.
MUPH Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag announced a new multi-stage selection process that will allow fans to directly influence the outcome of the competition. Preliminary segments—Evening Gown, Swimsuit, and Closed-Door Interview—will be filmed in March and released in tranches in April, with public voting determining which candidates advance per round. Voting will be conducted via the Maya platform to ensure secure and accessible participation, making fan involvement “truly impactful,” according to Tayag.
Candidates who do not advance through public votes will still remain in contention through selection panel choices, brand award picks, and wildcard slots to be revealed on coronation night. Pageant followers will also have a say in selecting the next queen during the finals, reinforcing MUPH’s goal of bringing the competition closer to Filipinos nationwide.
This year’s edition seeks the successor of Maria Ahtisa Manalo, who placed third runner-up at the 2025 Miss Universe competition in Thailand. The winner will represent the Philippines at the pageant’s 75th edition in Puerto Rico later this year.
The roster features several familiar names and decorated titleholders, including Nicole Borromeo of Cebu Province, former Miss International 2023 third runner-up and Reyna ng Aliwan 2019, and Ysabella Ysmael of Taguig, first runner-up in the pageant’s inaugural 2020 edition.
Also competing are Miss Earth-Water titleholders Bea Millan-Windorski of La Union and Roxie Baeyens of Baguio City, Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 6 runner-up Adela-Mae Marshall, 2023 Miss Tourism World first runner-up Justine Felizarta of Manila, Miss Eco International 2023 semifinalist Ashley Subijano of Luisiana, Laguna, and former Miss Philippines-Earth 2016 Imelda Schweighart of Kalibo, Aklan.
With its expanded public engagement, celebrity contenders, and high-stakes voting format, Miss Universe Philippines 2026 aims to redefine the pageant experience, transforming it from a traditional competition into an interactive national spectacle.
