Miss Philippines is “challenging” the pageantry scene by excluding a swimsuit competition.
“Not your usual pageant,” read the Miss Universe Philippines’ Instagram post announcing the new additions to the beauty pageant.
Presenting its new formula, the Miss Universe PH will now include: a formal wear segment with a red carpet setting similar to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
It will now also involve a speech segment following the style of Ted Talks where candidates will focus on how they will promote the Philippines to the world.
“The Miss Philippines is reinventing pageantry to come up with an event unlike any other. Here’s to a unique way of gathering beautiful Filipinas around the world,” the international beauty pageant wrote.
The announcement drew mixed reactions from pageant fans and netizens which were then addressed a day later.
In a separate post, Miss Philippines explained their decision to remove the swimsuit competition, saying it aims to focus more on women’s other qualities aside from their vital statistics.
“It’s not that we have anything against swimsuits. In fact, we will hold photoshoots at our world-famous beaches and resorts,” the organization clarified.
Miss Philippines explained, “But onstage, we’d like to shift the focus on things other than a woman’s vital statistics. The Miss Philippines is a platform for a woman’s voice to be heard, for her influence to be felt, and for her passion to promote Filipino culture and heritage be amplified.”
“We’ll have an exciting Runway Segment where the spotlight will shine on each of our proud candidates. The Miss Philippines,” they wrote.
Interested candidates may apply on September 2 and 9, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Enderun Coworking Estancia in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
Miss Supranational 2023 1st runner-up Pauline Amelinckx was named the first-ever Miss Philippines this August. She was hailed as Miss Supranational Philippines after her third participation in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant last May.
