Miss Universe Philippines '24 announces 55 candidates
Arecord 55 beautiful ladies from different parts of the country were presented as official delegates of Miss Universe Philippines 2024 at the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Manila last Feb 18. The number represents a 30 percent increase from last year's contestants, who totaled 38.
Previous winners of international pageants walked alongside hopeful, new faces in what pageant watchers described this early as "bardagulan" or "bloodbath" because of the expected tight race for the crown.
The winner of MUPH 2024 will succeed incumbent queen Michelle Marquez-dee and represent the country in the 73rd edition of Miss Universe in Mexico later this year.
This year's MUPH has a couple of firsts in its history. One is the scrapping of the age limit to reflect the decision of the parent Miss Universe Organization.
1. Elaine Bernales (Albay)
2. Joanna Marie Thornley (Angeles)
3. Kymberlee Street (Australia)
4. Yvonne Catamco (Bacolod)
5. Victoria Velasquez Vincent (Bacoor)
6. Justine Tarah Valencia (Baguio)
7. Juvel Ducay (Bantayan Island)
8. Mariztella Ilagan Lat (Batangas)
9. Bianca Gaviola (Bohol)
10. Natasha Jane Bajuyo (Bukidnon)
11. Chelsea Manalo (Bulacan)
12. Daniella Villar (Cabanatuan)
13. Lynn Eirene Lomongo (Cagayan De Oro)
14. Stacey Gabriel (Cainta)
15. Rethiana Rosa (Camiguin)
16. Dia Mate (Cavite)
17. Kris Tiffany Janson (Cebu)
18. Maria Isabel Pelayo (Davao City)
19. Joanna Puyod Yulo (Davao Region)
This allowed those 29 years old and above to compete. Second, is selecting the candidates through the Accredited Partners Program of the respective localities instead of the previous application and screening process. National Director Shamcey Supsup-lee remarked that the new system hopes to "even the playing field and provide women in the provinces with an equal opportunity."
The youngest candidates in MUPH 2024 are 18, while the oldest is 39. Ten delegates represent several Filipino communities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Five of the beauties have placed in pageants abroad, namely Miss International 2018 first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo, Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022 Alexandra Mae Rosales, Miss Tourism International 2019 Cyrille Payumo, Miss Intercontinental 2014 second runner-up Kris Tiffany Janson and Miss Intercontinental 2015 first runner-up Christi Mcgarry.
The complete list of MUPH 2024 delegates:
20. Matea Mahal Smith (Florida)
21. Patricia Bianca Tapia (Hawaii
22. Alexie Brooks (Iloilo)
23. Natasha Jung (Kananga)
24. Alexandra Mae Rosales (Laguna)
25. Angel Rose Tambal (Leyte)
26. Rikki Mae dela Peña (Lucban)
27. Victoria Leslie Ingram (Mandaue)
28. Ysabel Macuja (Manila)
29. Elle Hollman (Mariveles)
30. Mary Yasol (Miami)
31. Mary Rose Guiral (Naic)
32. Kayla Jean Carter (Northern California)
33. Maica Cabling Martinez (Nueva Ecija)
34. Zoleil Mellane Taño (Occidental Mindoro)
35. Hershey Mhae Senit (Pagadian City)
36. Raven Doctor (Palawan)
37. Cyrille Payumo (Pampanga)
38. Grace Jineah Chua Lumague (Pangasinan)
39. Selena Alexis Antonio Reyes (Pasig)
40. Lorraine Ojimba (Quezon City)
41. Ma. Ahtisa Manalo (Quezon Province)
42. Stephanie (Quirino)
43. Eunice D. Deza (San Pablo, Laguna)
44. Joshell de Ocampo (Siargao)
45. Janet Lyn Hammond (Southern California)
46. Jenina Lui (Sydney)
47. Tamara Ocier (Tacloban)
48. Christi Lynn Mcgarry (Taguig)
49. Mary Josephine Paaske (Talisay City)
50. Kim
City)
51. Zhyra Mae Cabalza (Tuguegarao)
52. Christina Dela Cruz Chalk (United Kingdom)
53. Denise Nicole Mababangloob Yujuico (Virginia)
54. Kiara Landon (Washington)
55. Anita Rose Gomez (Zambales)
Irish
Faye
Gerona
Placibe (Toledo
The event at Hilton Manila also saw the crowning and appointment of The Miss Philippines beauties to their respective international competitions, namely Alethea Ambrosio (Miss Supranational Philippines 2024), Blessa Figueroa (Miss Asia
Pacific International Philippines 2024), Isabelle De Los Santos (Miss Aura International Philippines 2024), Chantal Elise Schmidt (Miss Eco International Philippines 2024) and Hanna Uyan (Miss Eco Teen Philippines 2024).