51 Candidates, No Frontrunner Yet: Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Is Shaping Up to Be the Most Wide-Open Race in Years
The seventh edition of Miss Universe Philippines is officially in full swing, with 51 candidates representing cities and provinces from across the archipelago competing for the chance to wear the crown — and eventually represent the country at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico.
Reigning queen Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon province will crown her successor at the grand coronation, which is expected to take place sometime later this year. The competition's host province is Misamis Occidental, while Pangasinan will host the national costume competition and Boracay will be the backdrop for the swimsuit segment — a stunning lineup of venues that promises to showcase the Philippines at its most photogenic.
This year's edition features 11 debuting localities including Cotabato, Dasmariñas, Ilocos Norte, Mountain Province, Pateros, and Sarangani, bringing fresh faces and underrepresented regions into the national pageant spotlight. On the flip side, a significant 34 localities have withdrawn, including high-profile areas like Quezon City, Pasay, Bohol, and Davao.
The pageant continues the organization's updated branding, which was unveiled on January 25 to align with the international Miss Universe franchise. A "spectacular" opening press presentation in February set the stage for what promises to be a months-long competition filled with preliminary events across multiple provinces.
For pageant fans — and sa Pilipinas, alam naman nating marami 'yan — the 2026 edition feels like it could be one of the most unpredictable yet. With no clear frontrunner and a fresh batch of candidates from places that don't usually send delegates, the road to the crown is wide open. Keep your eyes peeled, mga ka-pageant.
