Reigning queen Joy Barcoma says she will not attend Miss Earth PH 2026 coronation night
Miss Philippines Earth reigning queen Joy Barcoma has confirmed that she will not be attending the coronation night this Saturday, June 27.
Speculation had been circulating that the reigning queen would not be passing the crown to her successor at the Miss Philippines Earth finals, held at the Cultural Center in Malitbog, Bukidnon. Barcoma addressed these rumors directly in a heartfelt social media post, starting with a message of deep appreciation for her supporters.
"As my reign comes to a close, I choose gratitude above everything else," she said. "To everyone who believed in me, supported me, and loved me from the very beginning, maraming maraming salamat po."
The beauty queen, who hails from Bacoor, Cavite, went on to share the accomplishments she is most proud of from her time as Miss Philippines Earth.
"If there is one thing I am ultimately proud of—it is that I devoted myself to making this reign meaningful," she shared. "I maximized every platform I was given and I pursued every opportunity to serve, even if it meant walking much of that journey on my own. I have never waited for doors to open for me. I have knocked on them myself so I can pass this title better than I found it."
Barcoma, who has also been active as a host, candidly noted that her journey came with unique challenges, revealing that "support doesn’t always come from every corner, even within the spaces you represent."
"But despite that, I chose grace, respect, and gratitude. That is how I carried this title, and that is how I choose to leave it," she said.
Despite her absence, Barcoma expressed her appreciation for the Miss Philippines Earth Organization and urged her followers to continue championing its cause.
"This platform has never been about a queen. It has always been about a mission greater than ourselves. A mission to protect our planet, uplift our communities, and inspire others to become stewards of the Earth. Let us also support the next queen the same way you have all supported and loved my journey," she urged.
While she will not be taking her final walk on stage, Barcoma emphasized that a true legacy is defined by the footprints left in the lives of others rather than a single moment in the spotlight.
"Hindi natatapos sa entablado ang pagboses. At hindi limitado ng korona ang adbokasiya," she emphasized. "Thank you, Miss Philippines Earth. Thank you, everyone, for changing my life. I will always and forever be an Earth Queen."
In August 2025, Barcoma took home the title of the country's new environmental ambassador. She represented the Philippines at the Miss Earth 2025 pageant in November, where she ended in the Top 8 runner-up placement.
Before clinching the Miss Earth Philippines crown, she had already competed in several national and local competitions.
She gained various titles in local pageant scenes, including Miss Polytechnic University of the Philippines (2017), Miss Philippine Islands-Visayas (2017), Miss PASUC NCR (2017), Miss PASUC Nationals (2017), Miss Mandaluyong First Runner Up (2018), Miss San Manuel, Tarlac (2018), Limgas na Pangasinan-Environment (2018), and Binibining Quezon City First Runner Up (2019), among others.