Angelica Lopez

 Palawan wins inaugural Reina Filipinas Grand Int’l title

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Pageantry is back in top shape again – production, staging, choreography – with the actual competition starting promptly on time! And the entire show clocking close to 4 hours only.

At the culmination of the competition, Palawan delegate Angelica Lopez bested 20 other aspirants to be crowned the inaugural winner of the Reina Filipinas Grand International title.

Angelica, who won Best in Swimsuit, Miss Urban Smile, and Reina Pasarela, awards, was crowned by reigning Miss Grand International Emma Mary Tiglao, together with country license holder Jojo Bragais and MGI president & founder Nawat Itsaragrisil.

Iloilo delegate Alexie Caimoso Brooks won one of the two Reina Filipinas MGI All Stars crown and was crowned by reigning MGI All Stars titleholder Vanessa Pulgarin of Colombia.

Alexie also won the Best in Evening Gown and the Best Seller Award (Dandy Glow & Jojo Bragais).

Lone transgender delegate Anne Patricia Lorenzo of Manila was the other recipient of the Reina Filipinad MGI All Stars crown. She was crowned by MGI All Stars runner-up Huong Giang Nguyen of Vietnam.

Miss Photogenic Cleopatra Barrera (Zambales), Isabella Ortega (Camarines Sur), Zeah Nestle Pala (Mandaluyong), and Luisa Lorin Buenavides (Caloocan) were declared runners-up in descending order.

Buenavides who did not qualify in the Top 11 won the Popular Vote and was brought back to competition for winning an automatic placement in the final round.

The other lucky delegates who made it to the semifinal round Top 11 were:

- Bianca Mae Bautista (Bulacan Province), fast tracked as Best Seller of Dandy Glow

- Jesiree Aguilar (Nueva Ecija)

- Jade Isabel Candilado (Rizal)

- Hannah Michaela Amistad (San Mateo, Rizal), and

- Scarlett de Mesa (Muntinlupa), Reina Beauty Vault

This year’s selection committee was comprised of MGI All Stars 2026 runner-up Huong Giang Nguyen, Dr. Ralph delas Alas, Miss Grand Int’l 2025 1st runner-up Sarunrat “Gotchabelle” Puagpipat, Leo Ortiz, Miss Grand Int’l 2024 CJ Opiaza, Michael Cinco, and reigning MGI All Stars titleholder Vanessa Pulgarin.

Hosted by Sean Kyle Ortega and Joy “Jusa” Barcoma, the Reina Filipinas 2026 coronation night unfolded at the Newport Performing Arts Theater and was beamed live to a global audience through the BragaisTV channel on YouTube.