Qualifying Rounds

 How the MUPh 2026 semifinal placements will go about

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) organization has introduced a refreshed format that would allow more delegates to shine at every stage of the competition.

Each week features a key segment, giving supporters more ways to follow the journey of their favorites and support them, especially on the Maya app.

So from 50 delegates, the competition moved through the Evening Gown prelimimary, the closed door interview, and swimsuit round; resulting in the first cut of Top 40 qualifiers.

That’s why, Week 1, voted from April 5 to 11, saw 20 delegates voted on the Maya app and another 20 chosen by the selection committee and were anmounced as the Top 40 last April 11.

At every stage, delegates advance through a combination of Maya votes and the selection committee’s evaluation – bringing aficionados closer to the semifinal round and unto the moment of revealing who takes the spotlight on coronation night.

The first and second top spots in the online poll takes an automatic placement in the Top 15. The third placer joins the quarterfinals.

On Week 2, the preliminary interview, to be voted upon from April 12 to 18, will result in 15 delegates chosen from the Maya votes, and another 15 from the selection committee that will be announced on April 18.

Finally, the swimsuit round on Week 3, to be voted upon from April 19 to 25, will name ten delegates from the Maya online poll and another ten from the selection committee that will be announced during the Selection Night.

Lest we forget, the 7th spot in the final round goes to an automatic placement, to the candidate who will top the online poll as People’s Choice awardee.

Catch the exciting finale on May 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Stay tuned!