How beauty queens get to wear the crown
MANILA, Philippines — Beauty pageants are likened to sporting competitions. The journey begins at the grassroots level, continues at the national and hopefully concludes on the international stage.
Aspirants dream of smoothly navigating such a path to earn the right to represent their country and contribute to the latter’s good standing or winning-placement streak.
It takes commitment, dedication, resilience and hard work to enter and establish one’s footing in the world of pageantry. Every attempt may be viewed as a way to test the waters or redirect one’s attention to another pageant.
Although studying what beauty tilts are looking for and working with a creative and glam team to look and sound like the winner matter, one can’t help but think of the common and possible factors that play a significant and surprising role for pageant veterans or newbies to win a title.
Let’s take a quick look at the local pageantry landscape and how some queens aced their chosen beauty competitions.
Reina Filipinas has found its inaugural winners in the persons of Angelica Lopez, Alexie Caimoso Brooks and Anne Patricia Lorenzo Diaz. Angelica is the country’s bet at the Miss Grand International (MGI), in which fellow Pinay Emma Mary Tiglao is the current title holder, while Alexie and Anne Patricia aim to win the first-ever MGI All Star crown for the Philippines.
From the start of Reina Filipinas, their names would appear in the hot picks, and they were considered among the favorites and frontrunners. Their edge is also the experience they’ve gained in winning national pageants and competing internationally.
Angelica won the Bb. Pilipinas International in 2023 and represented the country at Miss International in Japan the following year.
Alexie joined Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and had the privilege to wear the Philippine sash at Miss Eco International 2025. She eventually won the title in Egypt.
Anne Patricia secured the Miss International Queen Philippines 2025 title and finished in the Top 6 at that year’s Miss International Queen. Two years before, she was the first runner-up at the Miss Equality World.
They displayed the calm-and-collected persona during pre-pageant activities and on the coronation night. They looked so confident with a better grasp of what each pageant’s round and segment required. Angelica, Alexie and Anne played the part with that fun attitude and competitive stance.
And when the competition reached the question-and-answer segment, they were able to hold their own and speak their minds.
Experience is a great teacher and trainer. But veteran queens also know how to manage their expectations.
In a previous interview, Alexie said that she had to work double and should not rest on her laurels. She had to do the training and be at her best.
Although they already know the drill, in a way, queens of this caliber strike the balance of enjoying the pageant and aspiring to win it.
The story of Ma. Katrina Llegado, the second Miss Supranational winner from the Philippines, also shows that experience may factor in. She earned the right to represent the country in the Poland-based beauty competition when she made it to the Top 6 of Miss Universe Philippines 2025. Three years back, she also participated in the same competition and was named second runner-up.
In 2019, Katrina joined Miss World Philippines and wore the Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas crown. She represented the country with the fifth runner-up finish at the Reina Hispanoamericana that same year.
It’s safe to say that her national and international pageant stints have given Katrina valuable insights about winning and the importance of being adaptable to any pageant system. She has participated in two distinct local and global pageant competitions.
Sometimes, fate or beginner’s luck may be a game changer.
When she won the Miss World Philippines 2026 title, Asia Rose Simpson of Quezon City was considered by some as a surprise winner or a dark horse, as others favored familiar faces and veteran candidates. Asia was and is like a breath of fresh air. Her beauty and presence somehow remind one of the first Pinay Miss World (2013) Megan Young and Miss World 2002 Azra Akin of Turkey.
Asia has strong communication skills and a unique advocacy, which is a sports-and-dance initiative centering on children’s and youth’s mental health.
An article about her published in this paper says Asia considered dance a universal language, beyond its being a form of expression, and “a unifying factor to reach people in need.” She added that sports are another universal language. “It’s not just a game,” she shared. “It’s connection, camaraderie and community.”
In the ongoing Miss World in Vietnam, Asia has showcased what she’s got. She was named the Asia and Oceania continental winner in the pageant’s Head to Head Challenge, which gave the Philippines a spot in the Top 40 round. Asia also made it to the Top 60 Model Challenge and Top 23 Talent Finals. She was also part of the Top 24 Sports Challenge. Pageant fans are also looking forward to seeing her in the Multimedia and Beauty with the Purpose challenge and segment.
Asia seems like a well-rounded Philippine representative and is raising the country’s flag well.
Hopefully, she will bring home the second Miss World blue crown.
But winning may also determine by fate as the one that the panel of judges and the organization are looking for. Every delegate is a potential queen, but the beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder and lady-luck-is-on-your side sayings may factor in.
So, is winning a pageant title about destiny, experience, preparation or luck?
The answer may point to one reason, two or even a combination of the four, but at the end of the day, only one woman will be named the winner, replete with a sash and a crown.
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