Miss Universe Philippines 2026: Top 7 predictions

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MANILA, Philippines — In every pageant competition, whether local, national, or international, the People's Choice awardee is a game changer.

Usually, the recipient takes the place of the lowest ranked qualifier or they limit the number of those who will qualify. For example, in a field of ten, only nine will be chosen because they own the tenth spot, automatically.

Thus, in this day and age, funding is no longer something an entrant thinks they must be prepared with — it has now become something very essential.

And the most that their — and their supporters' money — can buy are votes. Votes that can land her a placement; and, in the case of Miss Universe Philippines' Pina Beauty poll, an automatic Top 7 placement.

Think about that for a moment. It's a beauty pageant and not a money contest. Yet, somebody prepared with monetary resources, coupled with that of her sponsors and supporters, can purchase her way to a title.

Be that as it may, we'll begin with our prediction for the automatic placer. The last Pina Beauty poll leaderboard showed Adela Mae Marshall (Muntinlupa) topping the poll, followed by Nicole Borromeo (Cebu Province), and then Nicole Cruz (Sarangani).

But if one has been observing that leaderboard since the canvassing started, the top spots belonged to either Jayka Noelle Munsayac (San Jose, Negros Oriental), Charieze Lianne Cacayorin (Ilocos Norte), Alicia Chelsea Buendia (Rizal), Jensel Mansala Caña (Cavite), and Lynere Montero Yodong (Mountain Province).

Assuming these consistent poll players have already thrown the towel (or not) since they've already qualified in the Top 20 via the Maya app, then it's a buying fight between the aforementioned Marshall and Borromeo, or someone whose coffers could afford to buy the Miss Universe franchise.

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We'll leave the seventh spot to the Fates and to whom the poll favors. Consistent leaderboard placers will likely not throw caution to the wind on this fight.

This leaves six more names to end up in the final round. Here's our bets in alphabetical order:

• Roxie Bayens (Baguio)
• Apriel Smith (Cebu City)
• Nicole Borromeo (Cebu Province)
• Bea Millan-Windorski (La Union)
• Justine Felizarta (Manila)
• Bella Ysmael (Taguig)

If we were completing the Top 10, that would include the delegates from the previously mentioned Marshall, Allyson Hetland (Pampanga), and perhaps Marian dela Cruz Arellano (Tarlac).

Surprise Top 15 placements may come from Erika Jean Cadayday (Camiguin) or Clarissa Westram (Cotabato), or perhaps a vengeful return of Ashley Subijano Montenegro (Luisiana, Laguna) via the Wild Card poll on the Maya app.

But this list is as good as yours. After all, the organization may have someone totally different in mind from our choices. It's them who knows the rules of the game, and the chances of our representative in the Puerto Rico finals later this year

Catch the exciting Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 2. Stay tuned!

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