LIST: Miss Universe Philippines 2024 candidates
MANILA, Philippines — The stage is set for Miss Universe Philippines to crown its newest queen and set them on the path to further pageant glory.
With a number of highly qualified entrants in this year's competition, pageant aficionados are of the opinion that this batch will face a "bloodbath" before heralding a victor.
The high number of aspirants will necessitate a game plan that would cover all "bases" of the competition.
They include frontrunners who have already competed on the international stage and strong contenders who have done the rounds of competing in the national searches.
Here's hoping our national winner breaks the semis in Mexico (where this year's Miss Universe pageant will be held) as no Filipina delegate has placed in any of the four times — 1978, 1989, 1993, 2007 — that the Central American nation has hosted the international finals.
In alphabetical order, the 2024 candidates are:
- Elaine Bernales (Albay)
- Kymberlee Street (Australia)
- Yvonne Catamco (Bacolod)
- Victoria Vincent (Bacoor)
- Tarah Mae Valencia (Baguio)
- Juvel Ducay (Bantayan Island)
- Mariztella Lat (Batangas)
- Bianca Gaviola (Bohol)
- Natasha Jane Bajuyo (Bukidnon)
- Chelsea Manalo (Bulacan)
- Daniella Villar (Cabanatuan)
- Lynn Eirene Lomongo (Cagayan de Oro)
- Stacey Gabriel (Cainta)
- Rethiana Rosy (Camiguin)
- Deanna Mate (Cavite)
- Kris Tiffany Janson (Cebu)
- Maria Isabel Pelayo (Davao City)
- Johanna Yulo (Davao Region)
- Matea Mahal Smith (Florida)
- Patricia Bianca Tapia (Hawaii)
- Alexie Mae Brooks (Iloilo City)
- Phoebe Arianna Torita (Kananga)
- Alexandra Mae Rosales (Laguna)
- Nica Zosa Nabua (Lapu-Lapu City)
- Angel Rose Tambal (Leyte)
- Rikki Mae dela Peña (Lucban)
- Victoria Leslie Ingram (Mandaue)
- Ysabel Macuja (Manila)
- Elle Hollman (Mariveles)
- Mary Yasol (Miami)
- Mary Rose Guiral (Naic)
- Kayla Carter (Northern California)
- Maica Martinez (Nueva Ecija)
- Zoleil Mellane Taño (Occidental Mindoro)
- Hershey Mhae Senit (Pagadian)
- Raven Doctor (Palawan)
- Cyrille Payumo (Pampanga)
- Jiheah Lumague (Pangasinan)
- Selena Antonio Reyes (Pasig)
- Camille Lagmay (Quezon City)
- Maria Ahtisa Manalo (Quezon Province)
- Stephanie Faye Gerona (Quirino)
- Eunice Deza (San Pablo City)
- Joshell de Ocampo (Siargao)
- Janey Lyn Hammond (Southern California)
- Jenina Lui (Sydney)
- Tamara Ocier (Tacloban)
- Christi Lynn McGarry (Taguig)
- Mary Josephine Paaske (Talisay City)
- Kim Irish Placibe (Toledo City)
- Zhyra Mae Cabalza (Tuguegarao)
- Christina dela Cruz Chalk (United Kingdom)
- Denise Nicole Yujuico (Virginia)
- Anita Rose Gomez (Zambales)
The following delegates withdrew and/or were replaced leading up to the coronation night:
- Kananga's Natasha Jung withdrew for personal reasons and was replaced by the runner-up in her local pageant, Phoebe Torita
- Quezon City's Lorraine Ojimba also withdrew and was replaced by the runner-up in her local pageant, Camille Lagmay
- Angeles' Joanna Thornley withdrew and had no replacement
- Misamis Oriental's Kristine Jane Sarsalejo withdrew and had no replacement
- Washington's Kiara Landon withdrew and had no replacement
The Miss Universe Philippines 2024 preliminary competition will take place on May 19 at the Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel, where the delegates will be rated in the swimsuit and evening gown categories.
The highest scoring delegates will move forward to the semi-final round as will the winners of various challenges (swimwear, runway, interview, casting reel, etc.)
Reigning queen Michelle Marquez Dee will crown her successor at the close of the coronation rites on May 22 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Also to be named in a separate crowning ceremony are four other titles: Miss Supranational Philippines, Miss Charm Philippines, Miss Eco International Philippines, and Miss Cosmo Philippines.
Stay tuned!
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