Pageantry is like the Olympics in the Philippines. Whenever Miss Universe or any international pageant is on, expect that every household in the country is tuned in, rooting for the country’s representative.
Many Filipino women dream of bringing pride to the Philippines by carrying the country’s name on their sash while they stand on an international beauty pageant stage. However, not all are given this once in a lifetime opportunity.
If you are one of those women and would like to make that dream a reality, here’s how!
Before anything else, before you get the opportunity to proudly shout “Philippines” after your name on stage, you would have to claim a national title. Your journey to international pageantry will begin by competing in a national pageant.
Binibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas is probably the most prestigious pageant in the Philippines, as winners of this beauty contest will go on to represent the country and vie for major international pageant titles such as Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Grand International, Miss Intercontinental, and Miss Globe.
To join, a candidate must be single, at least 5’6″ in height (based on 2015 data), and 17-26 years old at the time of the pageant.
Application periods, which are usually four to five months before the annual pageant, are announced on the pageant’s official social media platforms.
Interested candidates would need to fill out an application form which can be downloaded from the Binibining Pilipinas website.
They would also need to submit original copies and photocopies of the following requirements. You can check out the list here.
There will also be a screening to choose the official candidates who will all compete for the titles.
If you are lucky enough to bag one of the six titles, then you will compete wearing the name of the country on your sash.
Miss World Philippines
The country’s representative for Miss World used to be chosen in Binibining Pilipinas as well.
However, in 2011, a separate organization, which is a member of the Miss World Organization based in London, England, was formed to organize a pageant where the country’s representative for Miss World will be chosen.
Aside from Miss World, Miss World Philippines will also choose the women who will represent the Philippines in minor beauty pageants such as Reina Hispanoamericana, Miss Eco International, and Miss Multinational.
To join, a contestant must visit the Miss World Philippines’ official website and submit her official registration form.
Miss Philippines Earth
Ever since its inception in 2001, the Miss Earth pageant, which is all about promoting environmental causes, has been put up fairly recently compared with the Big Four international beauty pageants.
The Philippines has already won in the said contest four times: in 2008, 2014, 2015, and 2017.
Do you think you have what it takes to take home the fifth Miss Earth crown for the Philippines? Well, you should first win the title Miss Philippines Earth and join the annual national pageant.
If you are interested, the Miss Philippines Earth organization has posted the full qualifications and application instructions on their website. You can check it out here. But make sure to submit your application during the pageant’s application period.
