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 applaud their delegates on coronation day.

In April, fans and pollsters will take an active role in determining who’ll make it to the first cut through online voting.

There will be no live prelims as in yeas past. Supporters will most probably vote for their favorites in an online poll on the Aqua Boracay swimsuit parade, the national costume videos or the evening gown showcase, and the closed door interview sessions. Or, perhaps an entirely different set of challenges to be voted upon. In a few weeks, we will know.

In short, this year’s preliminary results will come from a three-week online poll through the Maya app, plus other delegates chosen by a selection committee, who qualified through merit.

Outgoing queen Maria Ahtisa Manalo will crown her successor. The other Miss Philippines queens will likewise crown the new winners of the Supranational, Cosmo, and Charm titles in a separate announcement.

The 2026 Miss Universe Philippines coronation night will unfold sometime in May. Stay tuned!