Puksaan begins anew

 MUPh formally introduce lineup for 2026 pageant edition

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) organization presented the 2026 contestants through a Press Presentation on the eve of Chinese New Year.

The event began with a parade around the grounds of the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City in the afternoon.

At sundown, the 51 candidates, wearing varying shades of crimson and pink, gamely sashayed before mediamen and spectators at the ballroom of the City of Dreams in Parañaque.

This year’s official delegates, in alphabetical order, are:

- Alexandra Krishna Oriño (Albay)

- Megan Larrisse Baldevia (Bacolod City)

- Felicia Fran Aldana (Bacoor City)

- Roxanne Baeyens (Baguio City)

- Kathleen Caseñas (Batangas Province)

- Princess Ryla Hernandez (Cabanatuan City)

- Eriva Jean Cadayday (Camiguin)

- Jensel Mansala Caña (Cavite Province)

- April Smith (Cebu City)

- Nicole Borromeo (Cebu Province)

- Clarissa Westram (Cotabato Province)

- Tyra Jane Godino (Dasmariñas City)

- Charieze Lianne Cacayorin (Ilocos Norte)

- Trexy Paris Roxas (Iligan City)

- Zestah Shalom Espinosa (Iloilo Province)

- Nicklyn Jutay (Iloilo City)

- Imelda Schweighart (Kalibo, Aklan)

- Ysabel Cecilia Prats (Laguna Province)

- Avegail Kultsar (Las Piñas City)

- Bea Millan Windorski (La Union)

- Kareyl May Cabahug (Leyte Province)

- Scarlett de Mesa (Los Baños, Laguna)

- Ashley Sobijano Montenegro (Luisiana, Laguna)

- Justine Beatrice Felizarta (Manila)

- Lyneree Montero Yodong (Mountain Province)

- Adele Mae Marshall (Muntinlupa)

- Alexandria Margarette Colmenares (Negros Occidental)

- Maria Fatima Alsowyed (Negros Oriental)

- Michelle Burchelle (Nueva Ecija)

- Jaia Lyn Aluning (Nueva Vizcaya)

- Neil Silva (Occidental Mindoro)

- Aviona Dass (Palawan)

- Allyson Hetland (Pampanga)

- Donna Rein Nuguid (Pangasinan)

- Aria Galvez (Parañaque)

- Kristen Marcelino (Pateros)

- Patricia Ella Evangelista (Quezon Province)

- Alicia Chelsea Buendia (Rizal Province)

- Catherine Wardle (Samar Island)

- Rose Ann Albania (San Carlos, Pangasinan)

- Jayka Munsayac Noelle (San Jose, Negros Oriental)

- Nicole Cruz (Saranggani)

- Rachel Hanna Gozum (Sto. Tomas, La Union)

- Jenrose Javier (Sultan Kudarat)

- Juliana Hope Aquino (Taal, Batangas)

- Jacqueline Gulrajani (Tacloban City)

- Chrystel Mae Correos (Tandag City)

- Isabella Ysmael (Taguig)

- Marian dela Cruz Arellano (Tarlac)

- Janica Francene Aquino (Tuguegarao)

After Benguet, another delegate has been rumored to have withdrawn from the competition. Rene Rose Patual of Southern Leyte allegedly left the pageant before it has began; also citing lack of financial support. However, she joined the parade at the MoA Arena grounds, so the rumors may not be true.

The provincial venues for some of the pre-pageant challenges will be in Misamis Occidental, Pangasinan, as well as Aqua Boracay. And supporters can vote for their favorites in the entire month of April.

Reigning titleholder Maria Ahtisa Manalo will crown her successor at the end of the competition. Stay tuned!