Jennylyn Mercado, Gazini Ganados, Hayden Kho lead MUPH 2026 selection committee
MANILA, Philippines — The selection committee for the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night has been unveiled with former national titleholder Gazini Ganados among the judges.
Miss Universe 2025 third runner Ahtisa Manalo will crown her successor at the Mall of Asia Arena, who will then go on to represent the Philippines at the diamond edition of Miss Universe in Puerto later this year.
Ahead of the coronation proceedings, Miss Universe Philippines unveiled the 10 jury members in charge of selecting the Philippine delegate.
Gazini — who was the 2019 titileholder, the last under Binibining Pilipinas — takes one of those judges' chairs after joining the panel at the expanded preliminary round. GMG Productions chief executive officer Carlos Candal also joins her in the finals selection committee after judging duties at the preliminaries.
Miss Universe Asia 2025 Zhao Na of China was previously announced as a special guest for the coronation night and takes a seat on the jury.
Notable faces include actress Jennylyn Mercado, celebrity doctor Hayden Kho, and designer Rhett Eala.
Rounding up the jury are Suyen Corporation vice president Bryan Lim, entrepreneurs Crystal Jacinto, Mega Magazine editor-in-chief Peewee Isidro, and Cosmopolitan Philippines executive editor Ida Aldana.
Segment hosts
Ten (10) candidates have been guaranteed spots in the Top 20, with another 10 joining them as the coronation night unfolds.
Taking charge of these different segments are another group individuals made of celebrities and other titleholders, including another previously announced special guest Miss Universe 2025 first runner-up Praveenar Singh from Thailand.
Gazini's successor Rabiya Mateo is also segment host as are fellow beauty queens Yllana Aduana, Kat Llegado, Gabbi Carballo, and Winwyn Marquez.
Also with pageant experience are Man of the World 2024 Sergio Azuaga, Mister International 2025 Kirk Bondad, Mister Pilipinas Eco International 2025 Kitt Cortez, Mister Supranational 2025 Swann Lavigne
Rounding out this group are actors Jake Cuenca and Ralph de Leon.
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