BEAUTY pageants have long been a cherished cultural tradition in the Philippines, combining glamor, grace, and advocacy to create a captivating national activity that Filipinos of all ages enjoy.
Given that concept, pageantry has demonstrated that it has progressed beyond the bounds of the runway in recent years. Developing into a platform for social change, education, and life-altering advocacy.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
On a vibrant Friday afternoon, RepublicAsia’s (RA) Generation Z newsroom in Intramuros, Manila, hosted a breakthrough event that perfectly integrated beauty, advocacy, and journalism.
The “Crowned and Candid” event brought together the freshly crowned queens of Miss Universe Philippines 2025 and kings of Mister Pilipinas Worldwide 2025 for an intimate talk with RA’s brightest Gen Z crew.
This event highlighted a significant collaboration between the pageant industry and digital media, with the goal of inspiring young people to make a difference in the world while also showcasing the modern-day paradigm shift in pageantry.
Full Circle Moment
Just last week, RepublicAsia’s Gen Z Founder and CEO Bran Reluao signed a memorandum of agreement at Okada Manila to serve as Chaiperson of MUPH’s Charity Gala on April 30.
This time around, RA got the opportunity to host an event for the newly crowned queens and kings. Reluao is pleased to have another powerful group join him in advocating for education.
“RepublicAsia is so proud to be with Miss Universe Philippines, in a celebration that goes beyond beauty. One with a big purpose and amplifies voices and connect sources that matter,” Reluao ecstaticly said.
“We always have a vision to close the digital gap here in the Philippines, and we have the support of DICT, DepEd, DBM, and of course, the Office of the President to give more Starlinks and tablets,” he added.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
The Gen Z digital disruptor seized the opportunity to express his gratitude to Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdez, Senior Vice President of GMA Network Inc., and Joy Marcelo, First Vice President of Sparkle GMA Artist Center, who were also in attendance.
More than that, Reluao is excited about the endless possibilities of making more amazing advocacies a reality with the support of RA’s new partner, MUPH, led by President and CEO Jonas Gaffud.
“That has become possible because of the help of Ms. Annette Gozon, and Ms. Joy Marcelo, and that would be more possible with Mr. Jonas Gaffud, and with the Miss Universe and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide,” he said.
Bridge Over Troubled Water
In a mutual response, MUPH Organization’s Gaffud extended his gratitude to RepublicAsia for taking on the responsibility of the Charity Gala. Citing that it was God’s will because it was so timely.
“I really had to make a successful charity event, a charity gala, on April 30. And I was already so stressed, and then, there was a bridge. That’s why you see me smiling the whole time, because RepublicAsia came in,” he said.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
“Aside from that, of course, it’s always about dedicating Miss Universe Philippines to God. I promised myself that I’ll use this platform in promoting and spreading the word of God.”
“That’s why we also want to extend Miss Universe Philippines in helping others, because the best way to spread the word of God, is to help others,” Gaffud emphasized during his welcoming remarks.
Meanwhile, despite the buzzer-beating collaboration, MUPH Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag sees a natural fit between the two organizations’ qualities, which have the same aim and advocacy.
“Actually, from the time that we met you guys, the alignment between RepublicAsia, and what you guys do, and Miss Universe Philippines, I know this is quite strong,” Tayag expressed.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
“First, you empower the voice of the new generation, the same way we empower the men and the women of the young generation. The other thing that you also do, that we believe in, is education.”
“We bridge the gap, the digital gap, which a lot of people tend to forget. A lot people in Metro Manila, sometimes, they don’t see that. We take it for granted, the tablets and the internet connection,” he went on to say.
Represent the Team
During the glamorous ceremony, the newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ma. Ahtisa Manalo and Teresita “Winwyn” Marquez, Miss Universe Philippines’ first runner-up, were all in attendance.
They are joined by Miss Philippines Eco International, Gabriella Carballo, Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025, Chelsea Fernandez, and Miss Supranational Philippines 2026, Maria Katrina Llegado.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
“One of the goods things about being partnered with RepublicAsia is that I also work with an organization called Alon Akademie,” Miss Universe 2025 Manalo said.
“Where we make sure we give children from far-flung areas and people from impoverished status, an access to non-traditional education methods.”
“And I hope that in the future, I can work and bridge the gap together, or be the bridge for Alon Akademie and RepublicAsia to work together, to give the Filipinos a better future,” she added.
Meanwhile, Jether Palomo, the 23-year-old Mister Pilipinas-Global, leads the Mister Pilipinas Worldwide 2025 team. Along with Mister Pilipinas Supranational 2025, Kenneth Cabungcal.
Raven Lansangan, the Mister Pilipinas-Manhunt International 2025, Kitt Cortez, the Mister Pilipinas-Eco International 2025, and Kenneth Marcelino, the Mister Pilipinas-Cosmopolitan 2025 attended the event too.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
“When I came here I had the opportunity to talk to some great minds, and kind of being able to talk about what the Philippines really should be for the future is through education,” Mister Pilipinas-Global Polomo said.
“That’s why I really stand with RepublicAsia as they are standing for that. Providing Starlinks to multiple areas in the Philippines, especially in the video that we’ve seen, which is in Cebu,” he added.
A Gen Z Twist
RA’s young generation journalists took advantage of the opportunity to ask the winners a few Gen Z-centric questions during the event’s end part. First, they were asked which charity they would like to work on that concerns youth.
“I am focusing on women’s reproductive health or women’s holistic health. I myself gone through PCOS,” Miss Universe Philippines 1st Runner Up Winwyn Marquez told the Gen Z journalist.
“And it was hard mentally, physically, overall. So if we only, can spark conversations about it, because I know it’s very intimidating, especially younger girls from 18 years old, minsan 16 years old pa.”
“Kung meron tayong paguusapan with that, if we have resources, affordable resources for younger generation, sana magkaroon tayo,” she added.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
Of course, Gen Zs aren’t Gen Zs until they indulge their curiosity. A journalist had a twist for the queens and kings, asking them what story they would most likely pursue if given the opportunity to be a writer or reporter.
“One of the topics I would like bring about, is like what it really means to be in our age. I think there’s a misconception of like, with our parents, they want us to be doctors,” Mister Pilipinas-Global Palomo said.
“I feel like there’s a lot of people that are part of my generation struggle with that kind of identity.”
“You’re tryna figure out, is it because of what yout parents wanted, or is it because of what you wanted? I feel like that’s an important topic to talk about,” he added.
Empowered Queens and Kings
The Crowned and Candid event is more than just an evening of festivities; it is a movement. It embodies the spirit of pushing boundaries and redefining positions in a modern, interconnected society.
The visit of Miss Universe Philippines and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide to RepublicAsia serves as a compelling reminder that no venue is too beautiful or too practical to promote truth, activism, and empowerment.
As pageant queens went through journalistic hallways, they carried causes as well as crowns, demonstrating that the journey from the runway to the newsroom is not only conceivable, but also necessary.
