Lance Joseph Martinez

Pia Wurtzbach and Filipino Media Mogul Josh Yugen Raise the Philippine Flag at the 79th Cannes Film Festival

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<p>The prestigious 79th edition of the <strong>Cannes Film Festival</strong> once again gathered the biggest names in global cinema, fashion, and entertainment along the iconic<strong> French Riviera.</strong> This year, the festival notably saw a strong rise in Asian representation, with celebrities and personalities from<strong> China, Korea, Thailand,</strong> and the <strong>Philippines</strong> dominating world premieres, luxury fashion events, and red carpet appearances.</p><p>Amid the growing Asian presence, two Filipinos proudly stood out and represented the Philippines on the global stage—<strong>Pia Wurtzbach</strong> and <strong>Jose Jr Mangila</strong>, widely known internationally as <strong>Josh Yugen.</strong></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780069733149viber_image_2026-05-29_18-39-51-129.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Josh Yugen at Cannes Film Festival </span></span></span></strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780069782227viber_image_2026-05-29_18-39-39-906.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Pia Wurtzbach at Cannes Film Festival </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Both Pia Wurtzbach and Josh Yugen notably walked the prestigious Cannes Film Festival red carpet for the film<strong> “L’Objet du Délit (Crescendo)” </strong>by acclaimed French filmmaker <strong>Agnès Jaoui, </strong>further highlighting the growing presence of Filipinos at one of the world’s most celebrated film festivals.</p><p>Pia Wurtzbach, who has become one of the most recognizable Filipina personalities in Cannes in recent years, continued her reign as a fashion and global style icon during this year’s festival. Since making her Cannes debut, the former Miss Universe has consistently captured international attention through her elegant red carpet appearances, collaborations with global luxury brands, and presence at exclusive film premieres and events. Over the years, Pia has successfully transformed from beauty queen to internationally recognized personality, proving that Filipina talent can thrive on the world stage.</p><p>Joining her this year was Filipino media entrepreneur Josh Yugen, founder and CEO of <strong>House of Yugen </strong>and <strong>Xpedition Magazine</strong>, who continues to expand his influence globally across entertainment, fashion, pageantry, media, and emerging technologies. Based between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, Yugen has built an international network spanning celebrity public relations, publishing, luxury events, and global talent management.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780069812448viber_image_2026-05-29_18-39-46-935.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>He currently owns three national franchises under the Miss Universe Organization—<strong>Sweden, Egypt, </strong>and<strong> Pakistan</strong>—further solidifying his influence in the global pageant and entertainment industry. Beyond pageantry, Yugen also heads an international magazine platform and a global celebrity PR agency that has worked with stars, luxury brands, and high-profile events across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.</p><p>While this marks Josh Yugen’s fifth year attending Cannes, much of his work in previous years happened behind the scenes. Known for opening doors for emerging talents, he has been instrumental in helping several local and international personalities make their Cannes red carpet debut. Among them are <strong>Kylie Verzosa, Franki Russell, Maureen Montagne, Miss Universe Pakistan </strong>queens <strong>Erica Robin </strong>and<strong> Roma Riaz, Olivia Yace, </strong>and<strong> Yanina Gomez.</strong></p><div style="text-align:center"><strong><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780069850329viber_image_2026-05-29_18-39-54-536.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></strong><br/></div><p>Yugen has also built a strong reputation internationally for bridging Asian talents with global platforms through strategic collaborations in entertainment, fashion, luxury, and film-related events. His work has helped position Filipino creatives and personalities in spaces traditionally dominated by Western celebrities and major international agencies.</p><p>Beyond entertainment and pageantry, Josh Yugen has also emerged as one of the Philippines’ rising voices in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and emerging technologies. Known for advocating the intersection of AI, media, fashion, and digital culture, Yugen has been invited as a VIP guest at the upcoming<strong> AIBC Asia</strong> event in Manila this June 3, alongside global leaders in AI and blockchain innovation.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780069834950viber_image_2026-05-29_18-39-53-918.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>He is also set to appear as a speaker at <strong>Blockchain Philippines 2026</strong>, happening from June 19 to 21 at the <strong>SMX Convention Center Manila</strong>, where he will discuss the evolving relationship between technology, digital influence, entertainment, and global branding.</p><p>Beyond his work in media and entertainment, Yugen has also openly shared his recent personal fitness and wellness journey. He revealed that he successfully lost weight through the<strong> SLC Bangkok Hunger Reset Program, </strong>crediting the experience for helping him develop a healthier and more disciplined lifestyle.</p><p>Yugen also shared that he was deeply inspired by<strong> Dr. Da </strong>and<strong> Niza, </strong>who motivated him to embrace consistency, wellness, and long-term fitness as part of his personal transformation.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780069866368viber_image_2026-05-29_18-39-54-491.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>In an exclusive quote for <strong>METRO</strong>, Yugen shared: “Cannes may celebrate glamour and success, but behind every red carpet moment is discipline, sacrifice, and consistency. My health journey taught me that transformation is not about perfection—it’s about showing up for yourself every single day. Dr. Da and Niza truly inspired me to take fitness and wellness seriously, and I’m grateful for how that mindset has positively changed my life.”</p><p>Through House of Yugen and Xpedition Magazine, Yugen continues to position Filipino creativity and innovation on a global scale—bridging traditional entertainment with the future of AI-driven media, digital storytelling, and global cultural influence.</p><p>For Yugen, Cannes is more than just a glamorous red carpet event—it is an opportunity to create meaningful conversations about representation, storytelling, and the future of global entertainment.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780069885490viber_image_2026-05-29_18-39-48-252.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“The Philippines has some of the most powerful and heartfelt stories in the world. Filipino filmmakers and creatives deserve a much bigger spotlight internationally,” Yugen shared. “I hope to help create more opportunities for our talents, especially in bringing Filipino films and LGBT+ stories to a global audience. Representation matters, and I want to continue advocating for stories that inspire, empower, and reflect the diversity of our culture.”</p><p>As the Cannes Film Festival continues to embrace a more global and diverse future, the presence of Pia Wurtzbach and Josh Yugen reflects the growing influence of Filipinos in international entertainment, media, fashion, and innovation—proving that Filipino talent is no longer simply participating on the world stage, but actively shaping it.</p>

<p>Amid the growing Asian presence at the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, internationally recognized Filipino personalities Josh Yugen and Pia Wurtzbach proudly represented the Philippines on the global stage.</p>

Amid the growing Asian presence at the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, internationally recognized Filipino personalities Josh Yugen and Pia Wurtzbach proudly represented the Philippines on the global stage.

Pia Wurtzbach and Filipino Media Mogul Josh Yugen Raise the Philippine Flag at the 79th Cannes Film Festival

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Pia Wurtzbach and Filipino Media Mogul Josh Yugen Raise the Philippine Flag at the 79th Cannes Film Festival

Metro.Style

Published May 29, 2026 10:00 PM PHT

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Updated June 01, 2026 09:58 AM PHT

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