NEGROS Occidental is pinning its hopes for a Miss Universe Philippines victory on Filipino-Japanese singer-actress Yuki Sonoda, and is fielding the international pageant veteran to the 2027 national competition.
Sonoda was formally crowned as Miss Universe Philippines Negros Occidental by the Miss Universe Philippines Negros Island Organization on Oct. 3.
But while Sonoda is taking her shot at the chance to represent the Philippines on the international stage, her previous global pageant experience saw her carrying her father’s home country, Japan.
She represented the “Land of the Rising Sun” at the 2017 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant held in the Philippines, and landed a Top 10 spot. In 2024, she carried Japan at the Miss Supranational pageant, where she finished in the Top 25.
Sonoda’s latest pageant conquest is the first time that she is attempting to carry the Philippines in an international competition. She had previously competed at the 2020 Miss Universe Japan competition, finishing second runner-up.
She will try to exceed the Top 15 finish that Negros Occidental bet Alexandra Colmenares posted at the 2026 Miss Universe Philippines pageant that was held in May.
Sonoda appeared in the 2026 Viva One movie “My Husband is a Mafia Boss,” which starred Joseph Marco and Rhen Escaño, together with Ara Mina and international beauty queens Priscilla Meirelles, Kelley Day, and Roberta Tamondong.
She starred opposite Aljur Abrenica in the 2022 movie “Pula and Kulay ng Gabi,” and appeared in the 2025 flick “Minamahal” starring Andres Muhlach and Ashtine Olviga. (Armin P. Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
