MANILA, Philippines — A 69-year-old fashion designer is among the candidates competing for the Miss Universe Philippines - Quezon City (MUPHQC) crown, vying for a spot in the national finals.
Jocelyn Cubales, who also goes by Joyce Peñas Pilarsky, is one of the 15 candidates hoping to represent Quezon City at Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
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In a profile released by MUPHQC, the organization said Cubales "believes that the younger generation can learn a lot from her life experiences, most especially grit."
Cubales previously participated in the 2017 edition of Mrs. Universe, which was won by Vietnam's Tram Hoang Luu.
The MUPHQC coronation night is on February 5, one of several local coronation nights for accredited MUPH partners around the country.
From January 19 to 21, new queens will be crowned in Pampanga, Batangas and Naic in Cavite. The coronation nights in Cagayan de Oro and Bohol are scheduled for the last weekend of the month.
The first weekend of February will be the coronation nights for Cebu, Albay, and as previously mentioned Quezon City.
Last year, the Miss Universe Organization removed the age limit for aspiring candidates, a move welcomed by MUPH, allowing women over 28 years old to also compete.
The Top 5 of MUPH 2023 was composed of Michelle Dee (Makati), Christine Opiaza (Zambales), Angelique Manto (Pampanga), Krishnah Gravidez (Baguio) and Pauline Amelinckx (Bohol).
Quezon City's representative Mary Eileen Gonzales was one of three women who made history as the first mothers to be MUPH candidates.
Michelle finished in the Top 10 of Miss Universe 2023 and won the Spirit of Carnival Award, Fan Vote award, a gold winner in the Voice For Change competition and Best National Costume.
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