■ Ofelia C. Empian
Pampanga as Miss Charm, and Alexie Brooks of Iloilo as Miss Eco International. — Ferdinand Galdones Abejon/Eventologie
Baguio City’s beauty Tarah Valencia is among the country’s representatives to upcoming international beauty contests after being crowned as third runner-up in the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) on May 22.
Valencia is the newly crowned Miss Supranational Philippines 2025 for placing in the top five of the highly-competitive beauty contest won by Bulacan’s Chelsea Manalo as MUPH 2024.
“As I have allowed myself to be an empty vessel ready to be filled, my glass now overflows. And my heart overflows with gratitude for every single one of you who helped bring me here. Agyaman ak,” Valencia said in her social media post.
The Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management major in International Tourism cum laude graduate of the University of Baguio has been a fan favorite from the start of the competition.
The 5’ 9”-tall beauty performed well in all pre-pageant challenges along with the other winners in the top five, who bested 53 delegates from all over the country.
“Being here in this prestigious pageant is my greatest achievement. I see the transformation, the improvement, and how I was able to become an inspirational woman that I am now, and that is something that I would be proud of after this journey,” she answered during the pageant’s question and answer portion.
Miss Supranational is an annual international beauty pageant, started in 2009, and with most contests held in Poland.
The duties of Miss Supranational are to work for charitable causes as well as travel the world promoting tourism, goodwill among all nations, and a healthy image.
Stacey Gabriel of Cainta was the first runner-up followed by Ma. Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province, who was hailed Miss Cosmo while Christi Lynn McGarry of Taguig was the fourth runner-up.
Other beauties to represent the country in international events are Iloilo’s Alexie Mae Brooks who was hailed Miss Eco International Philippines 2024 and Pampanga’s Cyrille Payumo as Miss Charm Philippines 2025.
These four titles were already announced prior to the coronation night, but the awarding ceremony was done in a separate program, shortly after the MUPH 2024 pageant finals concluded at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The schedules for these international pageants are yet to be announced.
For three straight years, three beauties from Baguio became finalists in the MUPH competition with Ghenesis Latugat in the top 10 in 2022 followed by Krishnah Gravidez as Miss Charm PH in 2023. – with Azzesah Jane Lubrin