TRANSCRIPT: Miss World Philippines 2026 Top 15 Q&A

Tourists all over the world are mesmerized by the Banawe Rice Terraces. If Miss Ifugao were the eighth wonder of the world, how would you use that attention to create a lasting impression, rather than temporary admiration?

Miss Ifugao Valerie Pawid West: If Miss Ifugao, or rather first Miss World Philippines Ifugao were the eighth wonder of the world, I would make sure to not only leave a sustainability, but also with intentionality, because that's the only way we can make a lasting impact in this world through impactful movement and beauty with a purpose. Thank you.

You must have heard of the biggest Filipino Cultural Festival in the UK, in fact, in all of Europe, the Barrio Fiesta sa UK. What striking difference have you observed at Fiesta sa UK and Fiesta sa Pilipinas?

Miss United Kingdom Margareth Elize Romano: Being born and raised in the UK, the barrio fiesta there has really captivated the Filipino culture being able to celebrate our heritage here. But with the Philippines UK, there are still essences of being British there, or people who come from abroad, coming over to the United Kingdom, they're able to sense the British culture, you know, being able to be independent and however, there is still a big sense of bayanihan there. That's the thing. It's not really much of a difference, but you can really still feel like you're a Filipina within the UK.

No visit to Davao is ever complete without trying durian, right? That strong-smelling but deeply, deeply loved fruit of your region, and because of love is just around the corner this month, it's February, right? The question is, are you the lover or the loved one?

Miss Davao Jayvee Lyn Lorejo: Oh, that's an interesting question, Miss Jasmine, but I believe I am a loved one because I am here standing in front of you here in Mall of Asia Arena, proudly to say that I have fans here in the left side and in the right side and even in the front, all the way from Davao Region, and I can say that I am truly a loved one because maybe it's because of my personality that's why they love me.

From the City of Stars, you are brimming right on stage tonight, and if there's an alignment of stars right at this moment, what does your heart desire?

Miss Quezon City Asia Rose Simpson: So we're on the Miss World Philippine stage, so I guess I should say the Miss World Philippines crown. But more than that, Beauty with a Purpose is really the purpose of why I joined this. Beauty with a Purpose—it's not just a motto, it's not just something you do with pageantry—it's a lifestyle. And really, if the stars align, if God will grant my fate, which He already does, He has a plan for each and every single one of us. And I know He had a plan, so I trust Him. And whatever happens happens, it's in His hands.

So, just as a popular song, Manila suggests, what is the one thing in Manila that one will keep coming back and one will miss like hell?

Miss Manila Anne De Mesa: Maybe Miss Manila. But kidding aside, Manila is very diverse. You get to meet a lot of people from different provinces, which I love because you also get it's like also traveling from around the Philippines, from each person you meet in Manila, you also get to meet a person from a different province, a different city, and you get to know more about the culture of different provinces and cities in the Philippines. Thank you.

Yours is home to the country's most iconic sizzling dish, sisig. If you were to compare yourself to sisig tonight, how would you fare?

Miss Pampanga Gabriel Fuentes Galapia: I think that sisig is such an authentic Kapampangan dish. It has a mix of so many different things. And what I love about sisig is that there is a different version in each and every province that you go to. So I don't agree that there's only one way to cook sisig. I believe that just like sisig, I can also be diverse. I'm very much adaptable, and I love to be in different situations. So that's how I would compare to sisig.

Naga City is in the heart of Peñafrancia devotion, drawing millions of pilgrims from all around the country and even the world. Before coming on stage, what prayer did you whisper to keep your faith in this competition?

Miss Naga City Zoe Sofia Gabon: Before coming to coronation night of Miss World Philippines, I actually went to Baclaran Church to pray for a good performance, for good health, and also I prayed that I would be able to answer this question in front of you right now and not being able to say... but thank you everyone for coming and thank you MOA Arena.

Your province takes immense pride in being one of the Philippines' best sticky rice. If you were a suman vendor tonight here on the Mall of Asia Arena, how would you sell suman to this incredible audience right here?

Miss Rizal Province Lorraine Ojimba: This is a wonderful question because I was actually a live seller before. So if I would sell suman, I would just say that if they want to be unique, if they want to add their own flavor to their own lives, then buy suman. Because just like suman, they give it to you plain. It's up to you what flavor you want to put in it. So just like me, I may be plain, but I'm actually sweet like suman.

From the concrete jungle where dreams are made of to the tropical home where resilience is made up, how do you see the American dream as a Filipino dream too?

Miss Filipino Community New York Marizza Delgado: First of all, hello to my lovely host, hello SM MOA Arena and hello world. I would say that my parents are a great example of the American dream. They left their homes in Pampanga and Tondo, Manila to build a life for me in America. And now I'm chasing dreams that I never thought were possible for someone like me, and I take their sacrifice with me in every step that I take. So I'm here representing the Filipino community of New York, but also the Filipino diaspora and all those chasing the Filipino and American dream. Thank you. 

Bukidnon's Kaamulan Festival takes pride in the seven indigenous tribes, the cultural backbone of Bukidnon. What is the spirit of Kaamulan that you carry in your journey to Miss World?

Miss Bukidnon Gwen Marie Perion: Standing in front of you as a proud daughter of Bukidnon, and we are celebrating Kaamulan Festival, which means to gather. We are gathering the seven indigenous tribes of Bukidnon, and that celebration is about uniting us, the people of Bukidnon. And someone standing here in front of you, I am carrying not just my dream, because I am carrying the entire province of Bukidnon. They are my why, why I am here, and I embody the spirit of paghiusa, unity. And of course, pagpalangga, saamuang mga cultura, to take care of our culture and to preserve our heritage, and I want the world to fall in love with Bukidnon, of course. Thank you.

Coming from the most expensive and grand provincial pageant in the country, how does it feel to be crowned Miss Sultan Kudarat by no less than the reigning Miss World herself, Opal Suchata Chuangsri?

Miss Sultan Kudarat Olivia Grace Reilly: Actually, it's always been true with mine. When I was little and I saw Megan Young won Miss World 2013 I was in captivated by beauty with a purpose, and then I knew that I wanted to be on the Miss World Philippine stage. And when I went to miss the screening for Miss Sultan Kudarat, I was actually two hours away and never thought it would happen. But here I am on the Miss World Philippine stage and to be crowned by Miss Opal Suchata Chuangsri, the reigning Miss World 2025, was a dream of mine, and it finally came true. And I'm so proud to come from Sultan Kudarat, the province that brings world-class quality products, health care and quality production for Miss Sultan Kudarat. Thank you. 

Zamboanga is known as Latin in soul, Asian in spirit, and Philippine Heart. How does Zamboanga's Spanish heritage live on to this day and how is that value of force in your bed as Miss World Philippines?

Miss Zamboanga City Ansha Lichelle Jones: I would love to answer that question that I would love to describe this situation, this pageant journey of mine, that we are living in right now, as hermosa. It translates to beauty, and it goes with the Miss World Organization mission: Beauty with a Purpose. Just like my story, I would love to turn this beauty of mine into a purposeful journey. I wanted to do make a long-lasting program where everyone at this generation would be kind, compassion, compassionate and also full of strength in their hearts. And that turns into a beautiful story of people, a beautiful story of the Zambogenia, who is standing in front of the MOA Arena. And I'm very much grateful for this organization to this two months journey I've learned a lot of lessons. I have met a lot of people, and I'm very much grateful that they got to see and learn what an Asia's Latin city is, which is Zamboanga City to the Miss World Philippine stage. So I would love to say that Miss World is hermosa because we turn beauty to a greater purpose.

Negros is gifted with majestic landscapes and seascapes, a paradise for adventure seekers worldwide. So what is your most daring adventure in life to date, and how has that prepared you to be on the Miss World Philippines stage right now?

Miss Negros Island Cindy Valencia: I came from the Bacolod City, known as the City of Smiles. As you might not know, Bacolod City has a history. It was a city, a province of old Negros who was one. Drowned in poverty, but the people in Bacolod City actually came up with an idea to paint a mask with a smile and to lift up the spirits of all the people despite all the challenges that we experience as one community. And we took that mask and made a festival of smiles. To that day, I am woman with a purpose, and today, I share my smile to all of you. I share my history in Bacolod City, and that is challenge, and that is an adventure that I would like the world to also experience. I would like the world to smile today and also tomorrow. Thank you.

The home of one of the world's most unique volcanoes, set within a lake, and we all know that volcano right now, like the Taal Volcano. I am curious. We all have quiet strength beneath the surface. Tell me, Miss Batangas, when did you discover yours?

Miss Batangas Nikki Malabuyoc Lorzano: I think it is natural for me to know my strength, because Batangenos, I'm known for being barako, and sometimes being barako has a negative connotation, but I want MOA Arena and the world to know that being barako, being matapang, is channeling our courage within. So I stand before you, and I hope you see the courage in me as a Batangueño woman. And I hope I carry the same courage and barakoness in the international Miss World Stage.

From the city of waterfalls, right? Contrary to the song that says don't go chasing waterfalls, what are you passionately chasing lately that keeps your heart and soul alive, because you know you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all.

Miss Iligan City Christal Briseis Peralta: Well, to be here as a candidates of the Miss World is something that I've been chasing, but I believe that, I believe that the purpose within me is much greater than the crown itself. Tonight, I stand here not just a candidate, but as an Iligan empowered woman who believes that her passion will fall into place once I know what's in it to me. Thank you so much.