Step into the past as we highlight standout walks by these Filipina beauty queens who graced the Miss Universe stage
Pageant queens embody a blend of qualities—beauty, advocacy, and personality. Yet, for the Philippines, a confident stride holds equal significance. Over time, fans have eagerly looked forward to the signature walks of our Miss Universe representatives, establishing a tradition of giving it a distinctive name. As we await the crowning of this year’s winner, here are the most striking and iconic walks of our past queens, showcasing their undeniable regal presence on the international stage.
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Venus Raj
Known as the Philippines’ drought breaker, Venus Raj left an impression at Miss Universe 2010 with her “Pilapil Walk.” Drawing inspiration from her walks on the narrow paths of rice fields, or pilapil, the Bicolana beauty secured the 4th runner-up spot, marking the country’s return to the Top 5 since Miriam Quimbao’s 1999 placement.
Shamcey Supsup
Forever etched in memory is Miss Universe 2013’s 3rd runner-up and now the National Director of Miss Universe Philippines, Shamcey Supsup, with her iconic “Tsunami Walk.” Marked by hip sways and seamless movements mimicking waves, this Filipina beauty queen truly created ripples on the global stage.
Janine Tugonon
When the conversation turns to killer walks, Miss Universe Philippines 2012 Janine Tugonon’s “Cobra Walk” takes center stage. Beyond her striking features, the walk earned its moniker for its goal—to instantly captivate the audience. With a quick crisscross, a subtle shoulder shake, and a pivot, Janine clearly achieved her vision. Over a decade later, the sentiment among pageant enthusiasts remains strong, with many insisting she deserved the crown that night.
Ariella Arida
Ariella Arida lit up the Miss Universe stage with a walk that exuded strength and grace, earning the Philippines its fourth Top 5 placement in a row. Her “Arriba Walk” showcased a powerful swimsuit display and a breathtaking moment in a yellow gown, emphasizing projection and the smooth glide of her hips. The beauty queen proudly claimed the 3rd runner-up spot in 2013.
Pia Wurtzbach
Pia Wurtzbach, crowned Miss Universe 2015, must have taken Megan Young’s unconventional advice on walking like a beauty queen: think murder. To this day, no one rivals her mastery of smizing, a fact even pointed out by comedian Vice Ganda, who dubbed her walk the “Tanim-bala Walk” during a guest appearance on her show, acknowledging the beauty queen’s spirited and feisty poses. It can also be recalled that even Tyra Banks herself couldn’t resist expressing admiration for Pia’s iconic smize.
Catriona Gray
Catriona Gray’s “Lava Walk” in 2018 at the Miss Universe pageant was a moment that made everyone speechless. From a graceful slow-motion turn in the swimsuit portion to a mesmerizing twirl and pause in the evening gown competition, Catriona achieved her goal of paying homage to her hometown’s Mayon Volcano through her walk. Despite the difficulties and pain in her training journey due to scoliosis, her dedication prevailed, bringing home the fourth Miss Universe crown for the Philippines.
Michelle Dee
@missuniverseph Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee set the stage on fire in the swimsuit segment! 🔥🔥🔥 #72ndMissUniverse #Prelims #MarkBumgarner#MissUniversePhilippines #MichelleMarquezDee #deepatapos #HelloUniverse #dee5tiny ♬ Crazy in Love – Beyoncé,Jay-Z
In a remarkable moment following her preliminary performance, Michelle Dee stamped her name in this year’s edition of Miss Universe with her striking “Air Walk.” Her runway strut mirrored the grace of a plane gearing up for flight, igniting everyone’s hope for a potential fifth Miss Universe crown.
Photos: MISS UNIVERSE and SPARKLE GMA ARTIST CENTER (via Instagram)
