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Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Preliminary Interview Standouts

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<p>The excitement surrounding<strong> Miss Universe Philippines 2026</strong> continues to reach new heights—and this time, the competition is fiercer than ever. </p><p>The stunning candidates vying for the Miss Universe Philippines crown turned up the heat as they showcased not only their beauty, but also their wit and eloquence during the <strong>preliminary interview</strong> segment.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NniGhC8pKzU?si=SomqmneIZbP8pjz2" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>As part of the pageant activities, each candidate was given the opportunity to introduce herself while demonstrating her intelligence and communication skills. A defining moment came when they were all asked the ultimate question: <strong>“Why should you be the next Miss Universe Philippines?”</strong></p><p>Following the interviews, <strong>Metro</strong> once again spotlighted the standout contenders, narrowing the field to 10 queens who truly impressed. These candidates confidently delivered their answers, proving they have the poise, eloquence, and substance worthy of becoming the next Miss Universe Philippines.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Albay – Alexandra Krishna Oriño</strong><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776031354231miss universe philippines 2026 prelim interview albay.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">&quot;I should be the next Miss Universe Philippines because I am a Bicolana, and Bicolanas are known to be &#x27;oragons.&#x27; And when we say &#x27;oragons,&#x27; we exemplify excellence in everything that we do. We strive hard to give our best, to give our all, and you know, really encapsulate what it is to be a Filipina, a modern Filipina with grace, wit, and strength.&quot;</p><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Baguio - Roxie Baeyens</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776031366954miss universe philippines 2026 prelim interview baguio.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">&quot;Well, I should be the next Miss Universe Philippines because, in my experience of being an actress, I have had a deeper understanding of women. I have played broken women, hopeful women, enthusiastic women, and with those stories, I found pieces of myself. And that&#x27;s the sole core of Miss Universe Philippines; it&#x27;s really women empowerment. So, I&#x27;m happy that I feel like I have a relationship with women. Therefore, I can advocate for them. And that&#x27;s what it takes to become a Miss Universe.&quot;</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Ilocos Norte and Filipino Society of Hawaii – Charieze Cacayorin</strong></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776031430576miss universe philippines 2026 prelim interview ilocos norte.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>&quot;Coming into this journey, I knew that I&#x27;m not only representing my fellow Ilocanos but the entire Filipino diaspora. I know what it&#x27;s like to be stuck between cultures, but I&#x27;ve also discovered the power of finding your purpose through your identity. And as an educator and community leader, I&#x27;m dedicated to being that bridge to Filipinos all across the universe so they can feel proud of who they are and where they come from, and that they can feel seen and represented. I believe this is a fresh perspective this organization deserves, and I&#x27;m redy to step into that role.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>La Union - Bea Millan Windorski</strong></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776031670638miss universe philippines 2026 prelim interview la union.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>&quot;There&#x27;s a motivation crisis in the Philippines. Far too often, people dream of going abroad, just like my family. But I dreamed in the opposite direction, and I packed my life into suitcases and boxes. I moved away from the life I knew because I believe in the future for all Filipinos here locally, so that we&#x27;re not forced to go abroad and be separated from our families in order to survive and in order to thrive. And I&#x27;m ready to bring back the fifth crown for the Philippines because I believe us, Filipinos, deserve hope and dignity.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Luisiana, Laguna - Ashley Subijano Montenegro</strong></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776031737056miss universe philippines 2026 prelim interview luisiana.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>“Because I have grown into an empowered woman, Miss Universe was my dream for years, but I truly wanted to wait until I had more experience and more knowledge about the world so that, when it came my turn to speak, I had something to offer. But as I’ve gone through many challenges, learning different skills and coming across different people, I’ve come to find it’s not about the right time; it was when I became the right woman.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Manila - Justine Felizarta</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776031812459miss universe philippines 2026 prelim interview manila.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">“I started my pageantry journey 12 years ago, in Manila to be exact. And this journey is a testament to my grit and determination. And if you choose me to become your next Miss Universe Philippines 2026, I will not only bring preparation but also purpose, and show the universe that when perseverance meets purpose, a Filipina is a force to be reckoned with.”</p><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Muntinlupa - Adela-Mae Marshall</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776031824417miss universe philippines 2026 prelim interview muntinlupa.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>“The short answer is because I’m ready. I have obviously represented the Philippines in the past; I’ve had that privilege, but I never did it with a sash across my heart. <em>Sa totoo lang</em>, I really felt that I had to earn that right. But it’s here in the Philippines that I became a woman. It’s the country that I served with my advocacy, empowering the next generation through literacy. But I also graduated here, and worked here, and overcame personal hardship here. So now, I feel that I really have the experience to represent not just the best version of myself on the international stage, but also the best version of a Filipina.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Negros Oriental - Fatima Al-Sowyed</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776031862799miss universe philippines 2026 prelim interview negros oriental.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>“I carry the most empathetic and loving heart—something that I used to hate growing up. But then I realized this is my greatest gift. If ever given the chance to be the next Miss Universe Philippines, I will dedicate my love and my time and effort to the organization and its causes, and put love above all. Because if there’s one thing that I realize in this industry, it is that everything is temporary. But a queen with a good heart will live a long-lasting legacy.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Tacloban City - Jacqueline Gulrajani</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776033730201miss universe philippines 2026 prelim interview tacloban.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>“I believe I should be the next Miss Universe Philippines because it is my job not only to be seen, but I think the true job of a beauty queen is to make other people feel seen. And that’s what I’ve already been doing, and I want to amplify my voice. I look at this crown as a microphone, as a platform to truly make a difference.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Taguig - Bella Ysmael</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776033857380miss universe philippines 2026 prelim interview taguig.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>&quot;My favorite question. I believe the Philippines deserves a representative who is a modern Filipina. And for me, a modern Filipina is somebody who’s not afraid to make moves. I believe that’s who I am. I’ve gone from being a ballerina to becoming a ballet teacher, and now I own my own ballet school. I do things that are outside of what people expect me to do. And I hope that this is something that I can inspire other Filipinas to know—that they are capable of whatever it is that they want to chase. Because when a Filipina decides to take a step forward, the whole universe takes that step forward with her.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Photos from <strong>EmpirePH </strong>via <strong>YouTube</strong></p>

<p>At the preliminary interview, these candidates confidently delivered their answers, showcasing the poise, eloquence, and substance worthy of becoming the next Miss Universe Philippines. </p>

At the preliminary interview, these candidates confidently delivered their answers, showcasing the poise, eloquence, and substance worthy of becoming the next Miss Universe Philippines.

Standouts at the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Preliminary Interview

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Standouts at the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Preliminary Interview

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Published April 13, 2026 09:50 AM PHT

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