Beauties on hold
Pageants will push through as the community aims to stay relevant through COVID-19 awareness themes and acts of charity.
The Philippines, often described as “pageant nation,” behooves one to ask what will become of the major beauty competitions in the years to come? Disinfecting, testing, wearing of masks and social distancing are now part of our routines, so where does that leave the crowds that often come with these events?
Miss Universe/ Miss Universe Philippines
Miss Universe 2001 Denise Quiñones, current national director of Miss Universe Puerto Rico, speaks about the future of the beauty contests in the midst of a pause caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the Caribbean island. “Unfortunately, this situation has affected all areas and our contest is no exception. Our priority is to maintain the health and safety of all pre-candidates and our team. We have kept in touch with them to find out how they are and to let them know that we will give them more information soon. So far, the Miss Universe organization has not offered an official statement about the international pageant or the selection process, however, they probably told us that the event will not be held this year and that they are evaluating dates for the first quarter of 2021,” Quiñones revealed.
The winner of the inaugural Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) will be crowned on 25 October 2020. The imposed enhanced community quarantine and lockdown by the government made the Miss Universe Philippines Organization (MUPO) postpone the coronation dates twice from 4 May to 14 June.
“The whole process from June to October is a learning journey for the women mentally, emotionally and physically. In this way, we are very confident that the winner will already be equipped with a mindset and preparations worthy of representing our country in Miss Universe stage,” MUP creative director Jonas Antonio Gaffud answered Missosology’s Ameer Gamama regarding the preparation to the international contest.
Gaffud added that MUPO priority is to abide by the rules and safety guidelines for everyone. “Protecting our ladies, our entire workforce and everyone on the ground for this production is our utmost concern. Our current plan is to limit production shoots to only five people.”
Miss World/ Miss World Philippines
There’s no official statement yet if Miss World, the oldest-running international beauty pageant, will push through this year. However, Miss World Philippines Organization posted on 11 June that the annual local pageant is happening in December.
This year’s much-awaited Miss World Philippines, Miss Eco Philippines, Miss Eco Teen Philippines, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, Miss Multinational Philippines, Miss Philippines Tourism and a soon-to-be-announced major crown search is officially on.
Miss International/Bb.Pilipinas
The 60th edition of Miss International is the second cancellation in its pageant’s history, the first being in 1966.
Originally, this edition of the annual beauty pageant was scheduled for 21 October 2020 in Tokyo but was later changed due to the hosting of the 2020 Summer Olympics. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Cultural
Association (ICA), organizer of MI, moved the final gala in October 2021 to be held at Pacifico Yokohama, a few months af ter the now-rescheduled Olympics. ICA also decided to change the age limit from 27 to 29 years old.
Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated, meanwhile, has decided to postpone indefinitely the annual, prestigious Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant. The re-scheduling of the pageant activities will depend on the regulations and guidelines issued by the government in the coming months. “Rest assured that BPCI still intends to hold the pageant with its partners and sponsors as soon as the situation permits when the threat of transmission and infection is at its minimum,” its statement reads.
Miss Earth/ Miss Philippines Earth
Carousel Productions Inc., the organization that currently owns and runs the Miss Earth and Miss Philippines Earth beauty contest, will soon decide on the future of the environmentally conscious Miss Earth beauties.
Miss Philippines Earth is the only local pageant that is still currently ongoing through virtual competition. Thirty-three contestants debuted their COVID-inspired fashion from 13 to 27 May. The winner of the “Best COVID Craze Outfit” were Baguio City’s Roxanne Allison Baeyens (Gold), Iloilo City’s Tsina Jade Chu (Silver) and Talacogon, Agusan del Sur’s June Cyra Pineda (Bronze).
This year’s Miss Philippines Earth will be crowned on 5 July and will be televised on GMA.