Arci Muñoz, Jonas Apostol join Yugen’s Miss Universe franchises council

Actress Arci Muñoz and celebrity dentist Dr. Jonas Apostol are among the latest personalities to join the international council of Yugen’s Miss Universe franchises, as the head of empowerment and as the head of aesthetic and innovation, respectively.

The Yugen Group, led by its owner Josh Yugen, made the announcement at a press conference last April 11 at Siri Sala Private Thai Villa in Bangkok, Thailand. The event was attended by Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios.

Josh is the owner of four Miss Universe franchises (Bahrain, Pakistan, Egypt, and New Zealand).

Arci and Jonas are set to work with Yugen’s committee’s head of culture and Miss Universe Bahrain 2022 Evlin Khalifa; head of charity and philanthropy and the first-ever Miss Universe Pakistan Erica Robin; and head of personality development, Bollywood actor, and international influencer Ieshaan Sehgaal.

The council is tasked to select and train the next set of beauty queens from Bahrain, Pakistan, Egypt, and New Zealand.

“I am so grateful to Khun Anne and the rest of the Miss Universe Organization for their all-out appreciation and support to all my visions for my Miss Universe franchises in respective territories,” remarked Josh on the strong partnership between the Yugen Group and the Miss Universe organization.

Josh also said that Sheynnis will grace the cover of its very own Dubai-based luxury, travel, and fashion magazine — XPEDITION — on its May 2024 issue. The beauty queen will be the first Latina Miss Universe winner to land on the cover of the said magazine.

Miss Universe past winners, Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Harnaaz Sandhu (2021), were previously featured on the magazine cover.

“It has been a tradition for XPEDITION magazine to create outstanding cover story for the reigning Miss Universe and this year is no exception. We are thrilled to have the reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios on the cover of XPEDITION next month,” said the Yugen Group in a statement.

The cover will be shot in Bangkok and will showcase the charm of Thailand, including the country’s tourism, fashion, food, luxury, and stories that capture the country’s essence.

“It’s a full appreciation as well to Thailand as one of the most visited destinations in the world. We are going to include stories of inspiration, empowerment and compassion,” shared the group.

The launch of the magazine will be announced soon.