ASIDE from the main title of Miss Universe Philippines, additional crowns have been added to the prizes that the candidates in this year’s edition of the national pageant may win. This came after organizer Empire Philippines announced that four more queens will be proclaimed after the ceremonies.
The additional titles are for the international franchises held under the brand of The Miss Philippines Culture and Heritage Celebration — Miss Supranational Philippines, Miss Charm Philippines, Miss Eco International Philippines, and Miss Cosmo Philippines.
Empire Philippines head Jonas Gaffud, also the president of the Miss Universe Philippines Organization (MUPH), told INQUIRER.net in an online interview that no separate staging of The Miss Philippines search will be held this year. The inaugural edition was held in October 2023, where Miss Supranational first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx crowned Alethea Ambrosio as the contest’s top winner.
He said that at the end of the official ceremonies for the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, the live streaming will be concluded and the four additional queens will be crowned on the same stage. Last year, Amelinckx and Miss Charm Philippines Krishnah Gravidez were crowned in a separate program held in another venue hours after finishing in the Top 3 of the 2023 national pageant.
Gaffud said all titles under The Miss Philippines brand will henceforth be awarded to winners who will be chosen from the Miss Universe Philippines pageant.
Empire Philippines currently holds eight licenses from various international pageants, and Gaffud said that starting in next year’s Miss Universe Philippines competition, all their international representatives will be chosen from just one national contest.
Fifty-three delegates from around the Philippines and from overseas Filipino communities are competing in the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant. The winner will be proclaimed at the culmination of the coronation show at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Reigning queen Michelle Marquez Dee will relinquish her national title to her successor, who will represent the Philippines in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico later this year. (Armin P. Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
