Miss Universe Philippines 2020


Miss Universe Philippines 2020 was the first edition of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant under its new organization. Previously, the Philippine franchise for Miss Universe was under Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. The coronation night was initially scheduled for 3 May 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it moved at least twice; first to 14 June 2020, and later to 25 October 2020, at the Cordillera Convention Hall, Baguio Country Club in Baguio, Benguet.
Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados crowned Rabiya Mateo of Iloilo City as Miss Universe Philippines 2020. The competition also featured the debut of the new Filipina crown, crafted by the Villarica family, who is known for running the Villarica Pawnshop.
Mateo eventually represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2020 pageant and finished as a Top 21 semi-finalist.
Contestants from forty-six localities competed in this edition. The pageant was hosted by KC Montero. American Idol alumnus Jessica Sanchez and Filipino actors Allen Cecilio, Anjo Damiles, and Kevin Montillano performed as musical guests.

Background

Selection of participants

In December 2019, the organization launched its search for the next Filipina who would represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2020 competition. The deadline of the submission of applications was on 18 January 2020, and the screenings were set to take place from 20 January to 24 January 2020.
However, on 25 January 2020, the new owners of the franchise introduced an Accredited Partner Programme, where provinces and cities could send one contestant each locality through an accredited partner. Walk-in contestants are still accepted by the organization until 31 January 2020, after which the contestants went through a final screening on 1 February 2020. The walk-in contestants who passed the final screening were then adopted by an accredited partner and joined all other contestants that were determined by an accredited partner on 10 February 2020. On 14 February 2020, the fifty-two contestants of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 were presented during the Red Carpet Presentation at Manila Hotel.

Withdrawals

Six contestants withdrew from the pageant due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vincy Vacalares of Cagayan de Oro and Maria Isabela Galeria of Sorsogon were forced to withdrawn from the competition after they tested positive for COVID-19. Princess Marquez of Aurora and Chaira Lyn Markwalder of Leyte withdrew for personal reasons. Angela Aninang of Negros Occidental withdrew to focus on her studies, while Mariam Lara Hamid of Capiz withdrew due to breach of contract by your local accredited partner.

Location and date

On 29 January 2020, the organization announced that the coronation was scheduled for the 3 May 2020 evening at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Metro Manila. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was rescheduled twice;the first time to 14 June 2020, and later to 25 October 2020, at the Cordillera Convention Hall,inside the Baguio Country Club This edition was held entirely in a closed location and without the presence of the public, which prevented the candidates from carrying out any external activities and in the same way as the preliminaries. Also,many segments from the final competition were tapped before the broadcast.For the first time on history,a main pageant on Philippines was taken exclusively on a streaming.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

An eight-episode web series entitled Ring Light was released on September 27 on Empire.ph and could be viewed for a one-time fee. Marketed as a "fundraising online pageant series", part of the proceeds would be given to the pageants' beneficiaries and partner organizations. The series featured several aspects of the pageant's contestants bid to clinch the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 crown, including their trainings and other behind-the-scenes content.

Results

Placements

PlacementContestant
Miss Universe Philippines 2020
1st Runner-Up
  • Parañaque – Maria Ysabella Ysmael
    • 2nd Runner-Up
  • Quezon City – Michele Theresa Gumabao
    • 3rd Runner-Up
  • Bohol – Pauline Amelinckx
    • 4th Runner-Up
  • Cavite – Kimberly Hakenson
    • Top 16
  • Aklan – Christelle Anjali Abello
  • Albay – Paula Ortega
  • Biliran – Skelly Ivy Florida §
  • Cebu – Apriel Smith
  • Cebu City – Tracy Maureen Perez
  • Davao City – Alaiza Flor Malinao
  • Mandaue – Lou Dominique Piczon
  • Misamis Oriental – Caroline Joy Veronilla
  • Pasig – Riana Agatha Pangindian
  • Romblon – Maria Fee Tajaran
  • Taguig – Sandra Lemonon
    • § – Lazada Fan Vote winner

    Pageant

    Format

    The results of the preliminary competition — which consisted of the swimsuit competition, the evening gown competition, and the closed-door interview determined the first fifteen semi-finalists selected at large. Internet voting was also used, with fans being able to vote for another delegate to advance into the semi-finals through the Lazada Fan Vote.
    The sixteen semi-finalists competed in three rounds: question-and-answer, swimsuit and evening gown. The swimwear for the finals was designed by UAE-based couture label Amato Couture by Filipino designer Furne One in collaboration with luxury swimwear Amari Swim. From sixteen, five finalists were chosen to compete at the final question-and-answer round. Two questions were asked; the first being unique to each candidate and the second is the same question answered by all five finalists. Afterwards, Miss Universe Philippines 2020 and her runners-up were announced.

    Selection committee

    Preliminary competition

    Final competition

    Contestants

    Forty-six contestants competed for the title.
    Province/CityContestantAge
    Aklan26
    Albay24
    Angeles19
    Antique23
    Batanes21
    Baguio24
    Batangas26
    Biliran21
    Bohol25
    Bulacan20
    Cagayan27
    Camarines Sur25
    Catanduanes27
    Cavite26
    Cebu24
    Cebu City27
    Davao City27
    Davao del Norte20
    General Santos23
    Ilocos Sur26
    Iloilo23
    Iloilo City23
    Isabela25
    Kalinga22
    La Union25
    Laguna26
    Makati24
    Mandaue24
    Manila25
    Marinduque27
    Misamis OrientalCaroline Joy Veronilla25
    MuntinlupaMaricres Castro25
    Oriental MindoroAdee Hitomi Akiyama27
    PalawanJennifer Linda18
    PampangaPatricia Mae Santos26
    PangasinanMaria Niña Soriano24
    ParañaqueMaria Ysabella Ysmael24
    PasayZandra Nicole Santa Maria27
    PasigRiana Agatha Pangindian24
    QuezonFaye Dominique Deveza23
    Quezon CityMichele Theresa Gumabao28
    RizalEricka Evangelista25
    RomblonMarie Fee Tajaran25
    Surigao del NorteCarissa Quiza19
    TaguigSandra Lemonon26
    Zamboanga del SurPerlyn Cayona22