JOY BARCOMA has become one of the most well-loved pageant queens in the country, with her every appearance guaranteed to result in viral videos, both fun and feisty.
She bagged the crown at the Miss Philippines Earth pageant’s 25th edition last year, and her reign as the pageant’s milestone queen is soon coming to an end as a new titleholder is set to be crowned over the weekend.
A year-long reign may not be enough for some pageant queens to make any significant impact, but Barcoma sure maximized the 12 months she was given as a reigning titleholder to leave a lasting mark as one of the most relevant figures of her generation.
Before she set foot on the 2025 Miss Earth stage as the Philippines’ representative, not a lot of people knew about “global north” countries, a group of wealthy nations that enjoys global influence in international matters, including those that affect how the world responds to climate change.
But aside from expanding the people’s vocabulary, Barcoma’s legacy as Miss Philippines Earth has been raising awareness about the national pageant brand by just being herself – amusing at times, but steadfast when it counts.
A sought-after host, especially of beauty pageants in the provinces, Barcoma has made her mark as an engaging figure whose signature witty remarks leave the audience and the candidates in stitches.
Wherever she goes, she brings the Miss Philippines Earth brand with her, easily becoming one of the most recognizable titleholders that the 26-year-old national competition has ever produced.
Jumping from podcast to podcast, Barcoma’s listeners and viewers have been reminded of the significance of the Miss Philippines Earth and Miss Earth pageants, and their mission to help save the environment.
And with her face gracing screens at homes and on mobile devices, Barcoma’s massive influence even transcended beyond the pageant community, making the Miss Philippines Earth pageant reach even those who are not even pageant fans.
Her proactive stance against corruption in government, which brought her to mass demonstrations on the streets, has encouraged other people to speak up.
Whoever will take over the Miss Philippines Earth title after her will certainly have huge shoes to fill, as Barcoma has set such a high standard for what a beauty queen can do, reach and accomplish with a pageant crown in just a year.
The 2026 Miss Philippines Earth Coronation Night will be held at the Malitbog Cultural Center in the town of Malitbog, province of Bukidnon, on Saturday evening, June 27. (Armin P. Adina© Philippine Daily Inquirer)
