“Like any human being, I think it is normal to admit that it is okay to be vulnerable, it is okay to be hurt, it is okay to be in shock and question myself and my capabilities,” she said on Wednesday, March 13, alongside photos of her from coronation night. 

Fourniol, who was crowned Miss World Philippines in June 2022, represented the country in the 71st Miss World competition held in Mumbai, India on Saturday, March 9. She made an early exit after not securing a spot in the competition’s top 40. 

Looking back on the pageant’s results, Fourniol admitted that she’s “still in a state of confusion.” 

“I keep asking myself what went wrong, what I did differently or what was missed because I tried to cover all possible angles,” she said. 

The French-Filipina beauty queen added that while her pageant journey hasn’t been easy, it was the thought of disappointing those who believe and support her that “breaks [her] heart.” 

“The thought of disheartening the people who I am fighting for, the children of ERDA, the mother volunteers who tirelessly devote their time to the cause, really crushes my soul,” she said. ERDA stands for Educational Research and Development Assistance Foundation, a charity organization that she advocates for.

But Fourniol shared that it’s also the same people — her supporters, ERDA, her team, and her family — who continue to give her hope and a reason to push through with her advocacies. 

She also opened up that “overthinking” about the results and her performance has brought her to a “standstill.” “I now rest in the thought that this is something I can learn from. I also have faith that a divine being is guiding me to a bigger yet an unknown path for now,” she said. 

With this, Fourniol shared that she has realized that “there are things within [her] control that [she] gave [her] best on.” 

“And there are things not within my control that I lifted up to destiny and to God. I shall soldier on…because I know I will be stronger, better, and wiser,” she concluded her post.

Fellow Filipino beauty queens such as Emmanuelle Vera, Nikki de Moura, Jenny Ramp, MJ Lastimosa, and Angelia Ong showed their support for Fourniol in the comments section. 

Krystyna Pyszková of Czech Republic was named 71st Miss World. Meanwhile, Megan Young remains to be the only Filipina beauty queen to win the Miss World crown. – Rappler.com

Young hosted the finals night in Mumbai, India on Saturday, March 9. During the competition’s question-and-answer portion, the Filipina beauty queen fixed a tendril of Chombo’s hair before the latter went on with her pitch. 

This particular incident earned the ire of African pageant fans, who deemed Young’s action as cruel, disrespectful, and culturally insensitive. Some even left comments on Young’s Instagram posts, saying that her action has “jeopardized” Chombo’s performance in the competition, with some even accusing the title holder of engaging in “witchcraft.” 

While some of Young’s fans came to her defense, emphasizing that she had meant well, some netizens also took the chance to explain the cultural significance behind an African woman’s hair. 

Addressing the incident, Young posted a statement on her Facebook account on Monday, March 11, sharing that she “wanted to offer a helping hand” but “failed to oversee the bigger picture.” She added that since the incident occurred, she had been “made aware that culturally, this is unacceptable.”

Young added that she sought Chombo after the incident and has since spoken and apologized privately.  

She continued that it was not her intention to “invade personal space or make anyone feel uncomfortable.” She also extended her apologies to anyone who witnessed the incident and felt any “discomfort and confusion” by her actions. 

“I deeply regret my actions and will strive to be more mindful and respectful in the future,” she added. 

Chombo, meanwhile, also took to social media to ask her supporters to be “kinder” to Young and the winner, Krystyna Pyszková of Czech Republic. “I appreciate that you are all looking out for me, but it really doesn’t make me good when you bring other people down in my name or for my sake,” she said. 

Chombo finished as part of the Top 4 along with delegates from Lebanon and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Meanwhile, Philippine bet Gwendolyne Fourniol failed to enter the pageant’s Top 40. Young remains to be the only Filipina beauty queen to win the Miss World crown. – Rappler.com

The Miss Universe Philippines 2024 organization released on Sunday, March 10, a new set of photos of its 2024 candidates. 

After the delegates’ headshot and swimsuit photos, the 55 beauty queens are now serving high-fashion looks with their official glam shots. Here’s what the ladies donned for this particular segment of the competition:

Albay

Angeles

Australia

Bacoor, Cavite

Baguio

Bantayan Island

Batangas

Bohol

Bukidnon

Bulacan

Cabanatuan

Cagayan de Oro

Cainta

Camiguin

Cavite

Cebu

Davao City

Davao Region

Florida

Hawaii

Iloilo City

Kananga

Laguna

Leyte

Lucban

Mandaue

Manila

Mariveles

Miami

Naic

Northern California

Nueva Ecija

Occidental Mindoro

Pagadian City

Palawan

Pampanga

Pangasinan

Pasig

Quezon City

Quezon Province

Quirino

San Pablo, Laguna

Siargao

Sydney

Southern California

Tacloban

Talisay City

Taguig

Toledo City

Tuguegarao City

United Kingdom

Virginia

Washington

Zambales

These candidates will battle it out to succeed Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, who finished in the Top 10 of the international edition. 

As of writing, the organization has yet to announce additional details for its national pageant. 

The 2024 competition is looking to be an interesting edition as it marks several firsts in the pageant’s history — delegates for this year’s edition were chosen through the Accredited Partners Program, the roster also includes candidates representing overseas Filipino communities, and there are no age restrictions for the candidates. – Rappler.com

Pyszková will represent the London-based pageant in various events aligned with the pageant’s mission. She will also have the chance to fly around the world as part of her duties.

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Here’s what you need to know about the reigning queen:

2nd Czech winner

Pyszková is the Czech Republic’s second Miss World, after Taťána Kuchařová who won the title in 2006.

The new Miss World titleholder is also the third winner of a “Big 4” pageant crown for the Czech Republic. In 2012, the European country bagged the Miss Earth crown courtesy of Tereza Fajksová.

Standout in the prelims

In the 71st edition’s preliminary competitions, Pyszková was already one of the standout candidates. She was named Miss Europe during the Top 4 selection, along with Yasmin Azaytoun of Lebanon (Miss Asia and Oceania), Aché Abrahams of Trinidad and Tobago (Miss America), and Lesego Chombo of Botswana (Miss Africa).

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Loves horses

She also bagged the Best Fashion Designer Award-Europe plum with her eye-catching, fire engine red tulle gown paired with an intricately embroidered horse-riding jacket.

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According to Sam Dolce, the dress’ designer, “Krystyna is a passionate horsewoman and a lover of riding, horse racing, and all activities related to horses.”

Interestingly, the fabric for the jacket was repurposed from “an antique blanket used as a cover when moving pampered stallions to protect them from bad weather.”

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Check out her amazing riding skills in this video:

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Isang post na ibinahagi ni Krystyna Pyszková (@krystyna_pyszko)

Beauty and brains

Prior to her foray into pageantry, Pyszková studied law at Charles University in Prague, which is the oldest and largest university of the Czech Republic. She then studied management at MCI Management Center Innsbruck, which is a private business school in Austria.

Musical talent

Pyszková is also a skilled musician, having studied in an arts school when she was younger. She plays the transverse flute and the violin, and even showcased her artistry during Miss World’s Talent Day.

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Isang post na ibinahagi ni Krystyna Pyszková (@krystyna_pyszko)

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A post shared by Krystyna Pyszková (@krystyna_pyszko)

Passion for education

It comes as no surprise that the well-schooled Pyszková has made education her advocacy. She had set up a school in Tanzania – a fact she highlighted for the pageant’s Beauty with a Purpose component – and also opened a foundation in the Czech Republic that offers education to a wide range of locals, from children, to people with mental disabilities, to the elderly.

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A post shared by Krystyna Pyszková (@krystyna_pyszko)

“Fighting illiteracy has proven to improve life expectancy and other basic human needs,” she said of her work in Africa. “It promotes stability in the region and enhances the quality of life overall, hence breaking out of a poverty cycle that’s been plaguing the continent for centuries now.”

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Isang post na ibinahagi ni Krystyna Pyszková (@krystyna_pyszko)

She made it to the Beauty with a Purpose segment’s roster of finalists. – Rappler.com

She replaced outgoing titleholder Karolina Bielawska of Poland. Pyszková is Czech Republic’s second Miss World, after Taťána Kuchařová earlier won the title in 2006.

The new Miss World titleholder is also the third winner of a “Big 4” pageant crown for the Czech Republic. In 2012, the European country bagged the Miss Earth crown courtesy of Tereza Fajksová.

Miss World is part of the elite “Big 4” pageants in the world, along with Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth.

Usually held annually, Miss World uses the tagline “beauty with a purpose,” as it also focuses in charity work and helping communities. For winning the prestigious title, Pyszková will represent the London-based pageant in various events aligned with the pageant’s mission. She will also have the chance to fly around the world as part of her duties.

Pyszková’s court includes:

• 1st runner-up: Yasmina Zaytoun of Lebanon (Continental winner for Asia and Oceania)
• Top 4: Lesego Chombo of Botswana (Continental winner for Africa) and Aché Abrahams of Trinidad and Tobago (Continental winner for America)

In the last years, Miss World had delays in staging its pageant. After the 2019 pageant was held in the United Kingdom, it took three years before the pageant was held again in 2022, due to COVID-19 restrictions. The 71st edition was supposed to be held in December 2023 but was later moved to March this year.

Meanwhile, Philippines’ Gwendolyne Fourniol ended her 71st Miss World journey early after failing to enter the pageant’s first cut or top 40. With this, Miss World 2013 Megan Young remains to be the only Miss World titleholder from the Philippines. After Young, Catriona Gray was the closest to winning the “blue crown” for the Philippines courtesy of her Miss World top 5 finish in 2016.

Gray continued her pageant journey and ended up winning the Miss Universe 2018 crown. – Rappler.com

French-Filipina Fourniol represented the pageant-crazy Philippines at the 71st edition of the Miss World pageant. Miss World is one of the “Big 4” pageants in the world, along with Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth.

The pageant night was held at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India, on Saturday, March 9, with Megan Young – Miss World 2013 and the Philippines’ only Miss World titleholder – as one of the presenters. Before Fourniol, Tracy Maureen Perez finished in the top 13 in 2022, while Michelle Dee finished in the top 10 in 2019.

Fourniol was crowned Miss World Philippines and Perez’s successor in June 2022. She clinched the local crown after her second try in the pageant. The French-Filipina stunner first joined in 2021, where she placed in the top 15.

Must Read

IN PHOTOS: PH’s Gwendolyne Fourniol’s performance in 71st Miss World so far

During the pageant’s duration, Fourniol consistently placed in fast-track events. These mini-competitions were essential in the overall pageant because the winners in these challenges secured spots in the pageant’s quarterfinals or top 40. The Philippine bet placed in the following fast-track events:

• Top 20, top model competition
• Top 23, talent competition
• Top 25, head to head challenge (public speaking)
• Top 32, sports challenge

However, having a placement in these fast tracks does not guarantee a spot in the first cut because the contestants are judged based on their overall performances in all aspects of the competition.

The Philippines is considered a powerhouse in the world of pageantry for having won a number of crowns in major international pageants. It’s the only Asian country to win all the Big 4 pageants in the world.

Although the Philippines bagged 15 crowns in these pageants, only one of these titles was Miss World. The Philippines has yet to secure another Miss World crown after Megan Young won in 2013.

Despite this, the Philippines has been consistent in placing in Miss World and even produced runners-up like Evangeline Pascual in 1973 (1st runner-up), Ruffa Gutierrez in 1993 (2nd runner-up), and Gwendolyn Ruais in 2011 (1st runner-up). – Rappler.com

Fifty-five ladies flaunted their curves in portraits shared by the organization on Sunday, March 3. The organization released the delegates’ headshot photos the previous week.

The 2024 competition is looking to be an interesting edition as it marks several firsts in the pageant’s history — delegates for this year’s edition were chosen through the Accredited Partners Program, the roster also includes candidates representing overseas Filipino communities, and there are no age restrictions for the candidates. 

Take a look at their official swimsuit photos here: 

Albay

Angeles

Australia

Bacolod

Bacoor

Baguio

Bantayan Island

Batangas

Bohol

Bukidnon

Bulacan

Cabanatuan

Cagayan de Oro

Cainta

Camiguin

Cavite

Cebu

Davao City

Davao Region

Florida

Hawaii

Iloilo City

Kananga

Laguna

Leyte

Lucban

Mandaue

Manila

Mariveles

Miami

Naic

Northern California

Nueva Ecija

Occidental Mindoro

Pagadian

Palawan

Pangasinan

Pasig

Quezon City

Quezon Province

Quirino

San Pablo, Laguna

Siargao

Southern California

Sydney

Tacloban

Taguig

Talisay City

Toledo City

Tuguegarao

United Kingdom

Virginia

Washington

Zambales

These candidates will battle it out to succeed Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, who finished in the Top 10 of the international edition. 

As of writing, the organization has yet to announce additional details for its national pageant. – Rappler.com

BPCI, under the leadership of Stella Araneta, had led the search for the Philippines’ representative to the Miss Universe competition since 1964. During those times, it was through the annual Binibining Pilipinas pageant that the Miss Universe Philippines queen was crowned, alongside candidates to at least five more international pageants. 

However, with the establishment of the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization came a new team that took charge in choosing the country’s representative to the prestigious international tilt. 

As the pageant is set to hold its fifth edition under the Miss Universe Philippines organization this 2024, let’s look back at the notable changes that they’ve introduced in the competition since 2020: 

Removal of height requirement

During its 2021 edition, MUPH announced that there’ll be no height requirement for its screening process. Prior to this, the minimum height requirement for interested candidates was 5’4. 

Height requirement was also removed in its succeeding editions. 

Starting with Top 100 delegates

It was also in 2021 when Miss Universe Philippines kicked off the competition with the Top 100 delegates – the biggest number of candidates in the pageant’s history. 

These 100 delegates would undergo several online and remote challenges and then get narrowed down to the Top 75 and 50 and eventually 30 based on their performances in the challenges and votes from supporters. 

Twenty-seven of the Top 30 for the 2021 edition were chosen by panelists while the three remaining delegates were the ones who garnered the highest number of fan votes. Scores of the Top 30 all went back to zero in the lead-up to the preliminaries and coronation night. Only the Top 30 delegates participated in the in-person pageant activities. 

The 2021 competition remains to be the only edition where 100 delegates participated. 

In 2022, the Miss Universe Philippines started with 50 delegates. According to MUPH, they’re “narrowing the field to get [them] closer to our Final 30 delegates.” Only 32 finalists from the initial 50 delegates made it to the in-person pageant activities. 

Online and remote challenges

Since the Miss Universe Philippines organization introduced a huge number of delegates for their pageants, they’ve been whittling down the participants through a series of online and remote challenges. 

In the 2021 edition, the candidates had to participate in the headshot challenge, video introduction challenge, runway challenge, casting video challenge, and virtual interview challenge. Each candidate had to showcase their strengths in these challenges as pageant fans vote for their respective bets. Those who garnered the highest number of fan votes will also have a higher chance of advancing in the competition. 

For its succeeding editions, the delegates participated in the photoshoot, swimsuit, and runway challenges. In the 2023 competition, the MUPH organization only announced the Top 5 delegates for each challenge, with the first placer only being disclosed during the finals night. The winner for each of the online challenge also secured a semifinal spot in the competition. 

Allowing moms, wives to compete

In lieu of the Miss Universe organization’s decision to allow moms and wives in the international competition, the local team also opened the MUPH pageant to women who are married and with children. 

In its more than 70-year history, the Miss Universe organization had only allowed single women, aged between 18 and 28, who “must not have ever been married, not had a marriage annulled, nor given birth to, or parented a child” to compete. 

Out of the 38 Miss Universe Philippines 2023 delegates, three were mothers. 

Notably, MUPH was the first of the local pageants in the Philippines to open the competition to beauty queens of any civil status – married and with children. 

Meanwhile, the recently-launched The Miss Philippines pageant followed through with the initiative, also opening their 2023 edition to mothers and wives. The Miss Philippines competition chose the country’s representatives for the Miss Supranational and Miss Charm pageants. 

Removal of age limit

After opening the competition to mothers and wives, the Miss Universe organization became more inclusive as it removed the age restrictions across all of its associated pageants. 

Previously, the MUO had only allowed women aged between 18 to 28 to participate in the competition. With the age limit being eliminated, even women aged 29 and above can compete in the pageant. 

In the Philippines, 69-year-old fashion designer Jocelyn Cubales was one of the official candidates of the Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City pageant. 

Accredited Partnership Program

The Miss Universe Philippines 2024 competition is also looking to be an interesting edition as it also introduced another change aside from the removal of age limit. 

For the 2024 edition, the delegates for the national competition were chosen through the Accredited Partners Program, wherein only accredited partners approved by the MUPH organization selected the candidates from their respective localities through local pageants or appointments. 

According to the MUPH organization, this change in the selection process will make the competition more “streamlined and efficient.” Additionally, having accredited partners select the candidates from their respective areas will also gave MUPH access to a “wider and more diverse pool of potential candidates.” 

With this, the 2024 roster also includes candidates representing overseas Filipino communities for the first time. Delegates include representatives from Australia, northern and southern California, Florida, Hawaii, Miami, Sydney, the United Kingdom, Virginia, and Washington. 

As the 2024 edition is still underway, pageant fans are still anticipating how these new developments will affect the competition. – Rappler.com

In a press release posted on their website, MUO emphasized that they will not be “swayed by unfounded allegations” against them despite having been recently hounded by “misinformation and attempts to smear” their organization. 

“We have been informed of malicious attempts by certain individuals to tarnish the reputation of our organization by spreading false accusations. These individuals have engaged in the manipulation of digital content and the distortion of facts for personal gain,” the organization said. “We will take all necessary legal action to address these unethical attempts to besmirch our organization.”

Although MUO didn’t specify anyone in particular, their statement came days after former Miss Universe president Paula Shugart said that she’s considering legal action against the franchise’s current owner Anne Jakrajutatip. Shugart alleged that Jakrajutatip accused her of being “corrupt” and “[taking] money ‘under the table’ to secure placements in Miss Universe competitions.” Moreover, several titleholders and candidates from the previous Miss Universe pageants came to the defense of Shugart, leaving comments of support in her post. 

In their press release, MUO stressed that their “selection process has long been synonymous with fairness and integrity.” They also noted the judging panel of every Miss Universe edition is “comprised of people of unwavering ethics, credibility, and autonomy.” 

Despite the allegations, MUO highlighted their commitment to their mission of “[offering] equal opportunity and honor the beauty found in every individual, regardless of background or ethnicity.” 

“Our steadfast dedication to inclusion is exemplified by the leadership of our CEO, Anne Jakrajutatip, whose unwavering dedication has fostered a climate of freedom and equality through her actions,” they added. Notably, Jakrajutatip has yet to respond to Shugart’s allegations.

MUO then asked their supporters to “stand firmly” with them in upholding the organization’s ideals. “Together, we will safeguard the principles of inclusivity, transparency, and integrity, ensuring that they remain central to all of our efforts,” they concluded their statement. 

It was in October 2022 when Jakrajutatip’s JKN Global Group acquired the Miss Universe organization for $20 million. The company also owns Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Meanwhile, Shugart, who joined the MUO in 1998 and got appointed president in 2001, exited the beauty pageant franchise in November 2023. – Rappler.com

“We want the Mutya ng Dabaw beauty pageant to evolve into a pageant, which is not only about beauty as we are looking for an ambassadress of Davao,” said Jennifer Romero, the organizer of the beauty contest.

Romero said that unlike with the previous editions of Mutya ng Dabaw, they have decided to scrap the 5’4″ height requirement “so everybody can join the beauty contest regardless of their height.”

The trend of abolishing the height requirement for candidates and allowing mothers to join the pageant started with the Miss Universe, one of the most prestigious pageants in the world. The local franchise holder of the Miss Universe, Miss Universe Philippines, followed suit shortly.

The pageant’s finals night will be held on March 15 at the University of Southeastern Philippines’ gymnasium. This year’s edition also has fewer candidates. The winners will be picked from just 30 candidates – much less than last year’s 50 candidates.

Aside from the sashing ceremony, the organizers also held an orientation for the candidates last February 11. They also had a workshop that focused on “personality development and the proper manner in which a beauty queen will look.” Romero said the candidates will showcase their talents on March 5.

She also said that she was amazed by the “beauty and wit” of this year’s beauty contestants: “They are knowledgeable about all the things they are talking about. I would say that this set of 2024 Mutya ng Dabaw contestants are all competitive.”

The Mutya ng Dabaw beauty contest is part of a series of events organized by the city government of Davao for its 87th founding anniversary celebration on March 1. On February 16, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation No. 467, declaring March 1 a special non-working day in Davao City. – Rappler.com