April Rose Simpson

 QC wins Miss World Philippines 2026 title

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

April Rose Simpson of Quezon City bested 23 other delegates to be adjudged as Miss World Philippines 2026. She was crowned by outgoing queen Krishnah Marie Gravidez and reigning Miss World titleholder Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri of Thailand at the close of the competition.

April fast-tracked herself by winning two pre-pageant competitions – the Talent challenge and Beauty with a Purpose project – aside from being named as one of the Best in Swimsuit winners earlier in the evening.

Best in National Costume winner Anne de Mesa of Manila was declared 1st runner-up and was crowned by last year’s Universal Woman Philippines titleholder Jasmin Omay.

Head-to-head challenge winner and Toledo Medical, as well as Hikari Skin Essentials, ambassador Gabrielle Fuentes Galapia of Pampanga was announced as 2nd runner-up and was crowned by last year’s 2nd runner-up Sophia Bianca Santos, who also represented Pampanga.

In a separate announcement, five other titles were handed out.

Miss Bench Body and Swimsuit challenge winner Lorraine Ojimba from Rizal Province was named Miss Tourism Queen Philippines 2026.

Best in Evening Gown winner and Toledo Medical ambassador, Marizza Delgado from the Filipino Overseas Community of New York, was declared Universal Woman Philippines 2026.

Sports challenge winner and ambassador for brands Hikari Skin Essentials and Toledo Medical, Valerie Pawid West of Ifugao was announced as Miss Global Philippines. Valerie was also the sponsors ‘ pick for such special awards as Miss Bench Active, Miss Honest Glow, Miss Monarch Montage, and Miss Pro-Shot, aside from winning Best in Swimsuit.

Top Model challenge winner and People’s Choice awardee Jayvee Lyn Lorejo of the Davao Region was crowned as Miss Tourism International Philippines. This title is another new acquisition of the ALV Pageant Circle. It was previously held by the Mutya ng Pilipinas organization until Dec 2025. In fact, MNP crowned a national winner with that same title but had to lose her right to represent the country with this latest turn of events. Jayvee was also the sponsor’s’ pick for such special awards as Miss Tasty Fit, Miss Bench Apparel, Miss Gluta Lipo, and Miss Hotel 101, aside from being named as ambassador to the Toledo Medical and Hikari Skin Essentials brands, while also winning the Miss Photogenic award.

Sultan Kudarat delegate Olivia Grace Reilly was proclaimed Miss Teen International. This title is one of ALV Pageant Circle’s new acquisitions.

The two other ladies who made it to the final round (Top 10) were Margarethe Elize Romano (Filipino Community of the United Kingdom, Face of Nova Asthetics) and Nikki Malabuyoc Lorzano (Batangas Province).

The lucky delegates who made it to the semifinal round (Top 15) were Gwen Marie Perion (Bukidnon, Miss Juan Hand), Ansha Lichelle Jones (Zamboanga City), Cindy Valencia (Negros Island Region), Cristal Brises Peralta (Iligan City), and Zoe Sofia Gabon (Naga City, Miss Multimedia).

The only other delegate to receive the special award of Miss Congeniality, though unplaced, was Angel Abergas from the Filipino Community of Singapore.

Chaired by Bench’s Bryan Lim, this year’s panel of judges included filmmaker Romm Burlat, fashion designer Leo Almodal, Carlo Tolentino, Nova Aesthetics’ Edzel Magtoto, Hotel 101 PR director Brian Ong, Gluta Lipo founder Leo Ortiz, Hikari Skin Essentials CEO Michael Rey Almazan, shoemaker Jojo Bragais, Monarch Montage’s Eric Quizon, Ms. Lily Lee, Brian Carlo Nico, Dave Villanueva, and reigning Universal Woman Ivanna Carolina of Puerto Rico.

Hosted by Miss World Philippines 2022 Tracy Maureen Perez, Universal Woman 2024 Maria Gigante, and Universal Woman Philippines 2025 Jasmin Omay, with anchors Teejay Marquez and Mark Ian Garcia, the 2026 Miss World Philippines unfolded from the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.