Maria Gigante appointed as Universal Woman Philippines 2024


Maria Gigante has been officially appointed as Universal Woman Philippines 2024 and will represent the Philippines in the upcoming Universal Woman 2024 competition.

The 30-year-old host, model, and entrepreneur from Cebu will be the first-ever Filipina representative in the international competition.

No stranger to pageantry, Maria was a contestant at Binibining Pilipinas 2016. She also participated in Miss World Philippines 2022 where she placed in the Top 11 and bagged the Non-Fungible Beauty Award and Best in Creative Editorial and Fashion Photo.

The Universal Woman 2024 final will be held on March 24 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Reigning Universal Woman from Venezuela, Valentina Sanchez Trivella, will crown her successor at the end of the event.

Photo: ALV Pageant Circle / Instagram

Popular posts from this blog

FAVORITES: Miss World 2026 FINAL Top 15 favorites

Image
Following weeks of rigorous pre-pageant events and competitive challenges, the 73rd Miss World pageant will reach its grand finale on Saturday, September 5, in Nha Trang, Vietnam. A remarkable 111 contestants from around the world will come together on stage to vie for the prestigious crown, which is currently held by the reigning Miss World, Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand. Who will be crowned Miss World 2026? Meet our Top 15 final favorites: (in alphabetical order) Bolivia - Vanessa Kraljevic Brazil - Gabriela Botelho Chile - Ignacia Fernández Czech Republic - Linda Górecká Denmark -  Josephine Bøttger Dominican Republic - Joheirry Mola Eritrea - Snit Tewoldemedhin France -  Indira Ampiot India -  Nikita Porwal Malaysia - Taanusiya Chetty Nigeria - Tamunosoye Karibi-George Philippines - Asia Rose Simpson Spain - Elisabeth Reynés Venezuela - Mística Núñez Vietnam - Bao Ngoc Le Nguyen Special mentions: Belgium, Botswa...
Read more

Regan Hutsell of Texas is the new Miss America

Image
The 99th Miss America pageant (Miss America 2027) was held on Sunday, September 6 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Regan Hutsell, a 25-year-old dancer from Texas, bested 51 other contestants to win the crown. She also bagged the preliminary awards for talent and fitness. Shelby Bordelon was named first runner-up while Kate Dimmett of Illinois, Sharlize True Trujillo of California, and Evelyn Smith of District of Columbia were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The contestants from Hawaii, Carly Yoshida, Iowa, McKenzie Kerry, Mississippi, Jane Granberry, New York, Madison Oh, South Carolina, Lindsay Jones, and Utah, Erika Dalton made the Top 11 semifinalists. The national pageant was hosted by country music singer Billy Gilman alongside journalist Jen Hale. Last year's winner Cassie Donegan of New York crowned her successor at the end of the event. The new Miss America was born in Houston, Texas, and trained at Feijoo Balle...
Read more

Miss World 2026 is Joheirry Mola from the Dominican Republic

Image
Joheirry Mola Dominguez from the Dominican Republic bested 110 other contestants to win Miss World 2026 on Saturday, September in Nha Trang, Vietnam. The 24-year-old model, teacher, news correspondent and advocate received the coveted crown and sash from her predecessor Opal Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand. She became the second woman from the Dominican Republic to become Miss World next to Mariasela Álvarez who won in 1982. Elisabeth Reynés of Spain and Taanusiya Chetty of Malaysia were announced the second and third placers, respectively. The contestants from Eritrea, Snit Tewoldemedhin, South Africa, Romanda Hombir, and Vietnam, Bao Ngoc Le Nguyen rounded out the Top 6 finalists. Completing the Top 12 were Gabriela Botelho of Brazil, Indira Ampiot of France, Tamunosoye Karibi George of Nigeria, Asia Rose Simpson of the Philippines, Adah Mushibi of Zambia, and Brunette Makanyiso of Zimbabwe. The new Miss World holds a degree in business management and administration from the...
Read more

Miss Finland 2026 is Veera Grönlund

Image
Veera Grönlund, a 30-year-old from Helsinki, was crowned Miss Suomi 2026 (Miss Finland 2026) on Saturday, September 5, at Hybridiarena Hype in Espoo. The passionate animal advocate and aspiring veterinarian will represent Finland at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this coming November. Aleksandra Sofia Hannusaari, 22, from Tampere, and Sofia Singh, 30, from Helsinki, were awarded the titles of first and second runners-up, respectively. The newly crowned Miss Finland takes over from Tara Lehtonen, last year's first runner-up, who assumed the title after the previous winner, Sarah Dzafce, was dethroned due to a racism scandal. "Yesterday, one of my biggest goals became reality and I was crowned Miss Finland 2026. I entered this competition to look for the brightest crown and I gave it my all until the end," Veera shared online the day after the competition. "As Miss Finland, I will boldly stand behind my values: courage, responsibility and justice. I will...
Read more

Miss Universe Italy 2026 is Giada Folcia

Image
Giada Folcia bested 20 other contestants to win Miss Universe Italy 2026 last Sunday, August 30 at Villa Cafiero a San Ferdinando di Puglia. The 36-year-old Lombardi-born model, originally from Monza, will represent Italy at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this November. She succeeds last year's winner Lucilla Nori. Victoria Masprone and Fania Sorrentino were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Natalia Mandryk and Antonietta Fragasso rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 10 were Michelle Barone, Ariadna Muro Dian, Sara Schina, Naomi Zaccaria, and Clarissa Aurora Acanfora. The new Miss Universe Italy is no stranger to pageantry. She has previously placed first runner-up at the national pageant in 2024 and returned as finalist in 2025. "I'm feeling incredibly happy and grateful for all the love I've received, for everyone who shared these special moments with me and, of course, to [Miss Universe Italy] for believing in me and for the trus...
Read more

France wins back-to-back Manhunt International titles

Image
Dylan Palmerini from France was declared the winner of the Manhunt International 2026 competition on Wednesday, September 9, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The 21-year-old model hailing from Marseille triumphed over more than 30 other contestants, achieving a remarkable back-to-back victory for his nation. He is now the third French winner of Manhunt International, following Adonis Renaud (2025) and Fabrice Bertrand Wattez (2002). Nipun Singh from India secured the title of first runner-up, while Lucas Díaz from Puerto Rico, Samuel Ayeloja from Nigeria, and Tran Tien Dung from Vietnam were named the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The remaining Top 10 included Isanka Pramuditha from Sri Lanka (6th), Leandro Mendoza from the Dominican Republic (7th), Darío Meroño from Spain (8th), William Sin Kyu from Korea (9th), and Osdany Garcia from Cuba (10th). The Top 20 was rounded out by contestants from Canada, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Philippines, Singapore, South ...
Read more

Miss Universe Australia 2026 is Caity Worthington from Brisbane

Image
Caitlin Worthington was declared the winner of Miss Universe Australia 2026 at the national final on Wednesday, August 26, held at the Crown Melbourne. The 28-year-old radiographer and model from Brisbane succeeds her predecessor Lexie Brant. She will represent Australia at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. Georgia Van Zaanen was awarded first runner-up, while Rowan Brent-White, Uma Dawson, and Kristabella Leembruggen took the second, third, and fourth runner-up positions, respectively. The remaining Top 10 finalists included Paige Bentley, Audrey Panagopoulos, Lilli Sauerwald, Sophie Trayner, and Jess Davis. The event was hosted by Australian stage and screen actor Rob Mills, alongside actress and former titleholder Maria Thattil. A total of 28 national finalists from around the country were chosen to compete for the crown. Australia has claimed the Miss Universe title on two occasions, first with Kerry Anne Wells in 1972 and then with Jennifer Hawkins in 20...
Read more

Miss World 2026: Meet the winners of the talent competition

Image
The Miss World 2026 Talent competition was held in Nha Trang, Vietnam where 23 finalists showcased their music, dance and art talents to an esteemed panel of judges. Grace Richardson of England emerged the winner for her incredible singing performance of "Over the Rainbow" and she has now earned a place in the Top 40. Another singer Annaelle Ibo of Guadeloupe and dancer Asia Rose Simpson of the Philippines were announced the second and third placers, respectively. The 73rd Miss World will be crowned during the final and coronation show on September 5 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss World (@missworld) Photos: Miss World / Instagram
Read more

Aslihan Morali crowned Miss Universe Canada 2026

Image
Aslihan Morali, from Ancaster, Ontario, was crowned Miss Universe Canada 2026 on Saturday, August 8 at the Chrysler Theatre in Windsor. The Turkish-Canadian advocate, entrepreneur, model and actor succeeds last year's winner Jaime VandenBerg and will represent Canada at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. First runner-up Jabili Kandula was named Miss Cosmo Canada 2026 and will head to Vietnam for the Miss Cosmo 2026 competition later this year. Emilie Vos, Patricia Seward and Naomi Colford were announced the second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Canada has previously competed in Miss Supranational 2025 in Poland and bagged the Miss Congeniality award. Aslihan is a passionate humanitarian who founded the Leap Global Voices, an empowerment initiative dedicated to helping young girls recognize their potential and rewrite their own stories. "I believe deeply in the mission of the Miss Universe Or...
Read more

Miss Nederland 2023: Miss Universe Netherlands 2023 is Rikkie Valerie Kollé

Image
Rikkie Valerie Kollé was crowned Miss Nederland 2023 (Miss Universe Netherlands 2023) on Saturday, July 8 at the AFAS Theater in Leusden. The 22-year-old Dutch-Moluccan model and actress living in Breda succeeds Ona Moody and will now prepare to represent the Netherlands at the 72nd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2023) in El Salvador. Nathalie Mogbelzada, 26, from Amsterdam, was named first runner-up while Habiba Mostafa and Lou Dirchs were awarded Miss Congeniality and Miss Social Media, respectively. Reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel of the USA graced the glittering event as a special guest. The new Miss Universe Netherlands made history as she became the first-ever transgender woman to win the national title. She will be the second transgender representative at the Miss Universe pageant next to Spain's Angela Ponce who participated in 2018. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Nederland Organisatie (@missnederland) Photos: William Rutten...
Read more