These 10 candidates are a mix of fan favorites, pageant veterans, and first time MUPH participants with meaningful advocacies
Having an advocacy is simply an act of using your own platform to influence decision-makers and world leaders towards change, policies, and systems that would benefit humanity. Apart from runway walks, a stunning roundup of looks, and the Q&A prowess of a candidate, the roster of pageant standards also include an advocacy. This is because a beauty queen’s crowning glory comes with the message she wants the world to see through her. With that, beauty pageants have become more than just a competition of looks—each one is now an opportunity for candidates to showcase their passion for social causes.
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By engaging in advocacy and purposeful work on the ground, these 10 candidates are able to make an impact and inspire more to take action as well.
Jannarie Zarzoso
As a Psoriasis and children’s rights advocate, Jannarie Zarzoso of Agusan Del Norte brings attention to the neglected prevalence of skin diseases. Her stance in the national pageantry also highlights her personal journey as a Psoriasis survivor. Through that, she teaches others how we should take care of our skin. Meanwhile, Jannarie’s voice when it comes to children’s rights and mental health are particularly helpful for children who are often unheard and unattended. Bringing this purpose with her to the national stage will definitely inspire our nation to improve the lives of the youth and generations to come.
Princess Anne Marcos
Agriculture can be stereotyped as a field for men, but this MUPH candidate proves this societal standard wrong. Princess Anne Marcos of Bulacan labeled herself as the millenial bukid girl because she promotes farming as an enjoyable activity and less overwhelming for beginners. She understands the importance of agriculture in providing food for the nation’s population and livelihood for millions of Filipinos. Her advocacy is not continued to be just a voice, but it also came into fruition as she was featured online as one of the young agri-YouTubers to watch. Moreover, she goes around Philippine provinces, interviews agriculture practitioners, and spearheads livelihood projects of her foundation.
Michelle Dee
As a non-first timer, Michelle Dee of Makati has been a known advocate of children with autism. Her advocacy has helped to raise awareness about the needs that should be given to mentally-challenged individuals. She is also an active participant of outreach programs and events about autism. Recently, together with her fellow candidates, Michelle was in attendance to an Autism Philippines’ event wherein she stands as a goodwill ambassador of the organization.
Christine Joyce Salcedo
Advocacy for education can be labeled by many as recurring advocacy from beauty queens, but it is very much still a relevant issue. Christine Joyce Salcedo of Marinduque is a candidate who stepped up to take this advocacy to the national pageant stage. During her birthday, she was able to hold an outreach program with The Street Classroom PH and Angat Buhay Literacy Hub. Seeing the parents of the underprivileged children in Marinduque inspired her to keep pushing her advocacy from the national stage to the world at large.
Samantha Panlilio
Coming from a family with a pageant legacy, Samantha Panlilio of Cavite took her platform to the next step. Joining this year’s Miss Universe Philippines pageant, she continues to address sustainability as she wants to encourage people to build with her a sustainable community in rural areas. Her advocacy is about living in harmony with the environment and recognizing that our actions have consequences that affect the world around us. With her efforts to champion sustainability, she inspires her fellow Filipinos to shift our mindset and have a willing heart to make changes in the way we consume natural resources.
Angelique Manto
To ensure that we can move towards that ideal world where all people are heard and given importance, Angelique Manto of Pampanga advocates for mental health. By simply writing encouraging messages on her platform, the candidate was able to touch the lives of her followers and supporters. Most of all, Angelique’s advocacy reminds us that mental health is not a buzz word in the online sphere. It is a critical issue that affects the nation, and it is essential that we all take action to create a more accepting and caring attitude towards others for a harmonious future of our nation.
Klyza Castro
Owning the privilege to have a seat at the Miss Universe Philippines roster, Klyza Castro of Davao Oriental voices out the importance of Livelihood Sustenance and Cultural Preservation. While the road ahead may be long and challenging for Klyza to connect with tribes and communities across the nation, she continues to work towards a better Philippines. She wants to see a world where every community’s expertise and talent is preserved and recognized, such as abaca farming. With the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) engaging with her efforts on the ground, she was able to discuss with them the machinery and equipment for an efficient abaca production.
Clare Dacanay
This is the first ever Miss Universe Philippines where mothers are allowed to join, and one of these is Clare Dacanay of Parañaque. In an interview, she shared how she juggles her roles as a mother, interior design student, and aspiring beauty queen. As one who understands the struggles of being a parent, Clare’s advocacy may include support groups that will tackle self-care, mental health talks, and stress management for parents. By the power of her representation, this can be a meaningful run for her on the Miss Universe Philippines national stage.
Alexandria Bollier
A large population of the Philippines include migrant workers, that’s why Alexandria Bollier champions the advocacy to support them. Now that migrant workers, together with their families, are given attention, people involved can begin to demand for support. As an advocate for OFWs, Alexandria can promote the rights and welfare of Filipino workers abroad, including protection from exploitation, providing access to healthcare, and ensuring their fair wages and benefits.
Chloei Gabales
Chloei Gabales of Iloilo City is a health advocate that wants to educate the society about taking care of their internal health status. By advocating for hemophilia, a very rare genetic disease, Chloei can encourage attention for Filipinos from all walks of life who are currently diagnosed with this disorder, and even build a more supportive and inclusive society for them.
Photos: MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES (via Facebook and Instagram)
