From Talisay to Zambales, women of strong convictions gather in the Miss Universe Philippines platform to raise their voices for their respective advocacies and stances on issues
When different voices with a unifying cause come together, they form a moving harmony that elicits action to those who hear them. For the women representing their hometown from Talisay to Zambales, there is unity in the diversity of their convictions, beliefs, and stances. As they come together clad in pieces by Randolf, the candidates share their takes on their personal experiences as well as the impact of their voice to the nation.
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Josephine Paaske, Talisay
At the age of 21, Talisay’s representative, Josephine Paaske, has learned to live independently in the places that she has called home. She credits this self-sufficient characteristic to her probinsiyana side, one that is in sync with her being and her nature. “I can be shy at times and be in my own bubble, but my interactions come from different living things,” she syas. “I like feeding farm animals. With experiences like this that I am proud of, I have learned how to be more mindful with the things that I do because they affect the nature that I am surrounded with.”
Kim Irish Placibe, Toledo
Bringing the camaraderie and hospitality that her kababayans, the Toledanos, are known for, Kim values the art of building relationships as a stepping stone to one’s success. “In order to do that, I always remind myself to just be authentic at all times,” she states firmly. “This includes getting in touch with my feelings. Conversations with another party are actually helpful for me in processing my feelings because they try their best to understand how I feel.”
Building a similar bond to the one she shares with her sister, Kim also makes an effort to get to know her pageant sisters. “Just empower your fellow candidates by rooting for their success as much as you’re rooting for your own,” she says.
Zhyra Mae Cabalza, Tuguegarao
Using her own platform to aid the marginalized, Zhyra founded Project NGITI—Nurturing Growth, Inspiring Tomorrows of Individuals to empower marginalized people women, men, children, and the elderly. “I want them to cultivate their highest potentials, and set a good example to the future generations as well,” she notes. Her initiative is set on encouraging others to practice the concept of bayanihan through willing donations.
Besides her drive to encourage hands to work together, Zhyra also wants to highlight the power of delegates outside the metro. “Some people believe that probinsiyanas are not capable of stepping onto the national stage. But we can adjust and do our best to represent the country at the Miss Universe stage,” she says with firm determination.
Christina Dela Cruz Chalk, United Kingdom
Though she has spent the majority of her life living in the United Kingdom, Christina never shies away from the fact that she is a true blue Filipino. Resilience and grit towards one’s goals are two qualities of race, a characteristic that the 30-year-old embodies. “I definitely think age can add to what you have to offer to the world, but people should never take away your experience or story whether you’re 17 or 60,” she says. “If you think that you can give an aura or energy that’s magnetic and universal, you can really capture people’s hearts.”
For Christina, the invitation of one’s presence in their community begins with food—as Filipino as it sounds. She recalls with fondness, “I always hear and say, ‘Kain na!’ whenever family or friends are around. Whether they have Filipino blood or not, they’re always welcome to share our food and delicacies.”
Denise Nicole Yujuico, Virginia, USA
Representing what it means to be a global Filipina, Denise has remained intact with her Filipino spirit even as she spent years living in the United States and Japan.
As one of the five mothers in competition, she knows the importance of standing up for her issues that affect the future generations. One of which is sustainability in fashion. “As a Greenpeace Ambassador of the USA, I fully understand how it’s important to promote sustainability when it comes to our fashion,” she shares. “Sustainability has been an ongoing issue in this subject, and one of the factors that play is fast fashion. I believe that it is important for us to recycle our clothes and fabrics and integrate them in our wardrobe to help our environment as well as our ecosystem.”
Anita Rose Gomez, Zambales
Contrary to popular belief, beauty queens do not always wish to be made and glammed up. Anita opens up that while looking personable is definitely one of the perks of the job, they are also women who, at the end of the day, just stay true to their core and want to feel free and comfortable in their own skin.
“I want to debunk the idea that beauty queens are always perfect,” she begins explaining. “In my everyday life, I seldom use makeup. We are definitely not always in our glamorous state. Ultimately, we are here for a bigger purpose. What matters is still being able to do our duties as queens with or without the glamorous side of it.”
Group Photography by DOOKIE DUCAY. Solo Photography by JHARWIN CASTANEDA. Production by JONES PALTENG and MIA CASTRO. Creative Direction by BRIE VENTURA. Art Direction by ANDREW ENCAPAS. Pieces by MARTIN BAUTISTA. Styling by RYUJI SHIOMITSU, assisted by BITHIA REYES, SAMANTHA TOBIAS, JUANCHO BUENDIA. Editorial Assistant JOANA FERNANDO. Sittings Editor MIA CASTRO and PEEWEE REYES-ISIDRO.
Shot on location PIONEERX STUDIOS
Special thanks to MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES and EMPIRE PH
