The Funding Factor
Online poll replaces MUPh 2026 live preliminaries By Earl D.C. Bracamonte While the norm has been for delegates to qualify for a placement through the swimsuit and evening gown preliminaries, this year, the MUPh organization foregoes the prelims in favor of a three-week online poll. This new way of selecting quarterfinalists has been criticized by pageant fanatics as favoring delegates with ample funding. Be that as it may, it should not be forgotten that beauty pageants on the national level are business entities, first and foremost. Supporters need to understand this going forward. In fact, interested parties, candidates and supporters, must factor in funding when planning to join a national pageant. Funding is needed, not only for the required apparel that includes evening gowns and national costumes, but also for a lot of voting on online polls (especially for the automatic placement via the People’s Choice award) as well as for the procurement of seats for fans who will appla...
