Empowering queens: The rise of Reina Filipinas

The newly established Reina Filipinas beauty pageant was officially launched at Resorts World Manila on June 10.

Led by renowned international shoe designer Jojo Bragais, Reina Filipinas will select three winners, awarding the titles of Reina Filipinas Grand International and Reina Filipinas MGI All Stars.

"For the inaugural year, I want to introduce an inclusive pageant. We have three winners: one for the title of Reina Filipinas Grand International and two for the title of Reina Filipinas All Stars," said Jojo, President of the Reina Filipinas Organization, at the beauty pageant's launch.


Emma Tiglao, the reigning Miss Grand International from the Philippines, has also been appointed as the National Director of Reina Filipinas.

"We're here not just to produce queens but to help them sustain whatever they have started. What comes next after joining the pageant is always a big question. So we will help them after they complete their reign," said Emma.

Applications for the next generation of queens are now open. The requirements for the Miss Grand International Philippines crown are: Filipino citizenship, age between 18 and 35, a valid Philippine passport, and a minimum height of 5'4" (163 cm).

Jojo Bragais, President, Reina Filipinas

Eligibility requirements for the MGI All Stars Philippines crown are: Filipino citizenship, being 20 to 40 years old, possessing a valid Philippine passport, being a cisgender or transgender woman, standing at least 5'4" (163 cm) tall, having previously competed in any international beauty pageant, and not having won a major international pageant crown.

Nawat Itsaragrisil, President of the Miss Grand International Organization and a well-known Thai personality, has joined the national pageant as executive partner. He explained his reasons for collaborating with Jojo.

"I have known Jojo for quite some time now. The Philippines is my second home. I am very comfortable here. When I walk down the road, everybody calls me Papa Nawat. I like it. I find him so young. Like a baby. He's like a young boy.

Nawat Itsaragrisil, President, Miss Grand International Organization; and Reina Filipinas Executive Partner.

"At first, I didn't believe him. But in the end, when I sat with his company, and we talked, we were always growing. I am a workaholic, and I found him to be a workaholic as well. He didn't do anything that would give me a headache. He never asked for money. So I am also Jojo's partner for Reina Filipinas.

"Every beauty pageant in the Philippines is good. I respect them very much. But things change. So we have to tweak it to make the pageant more interesting and fun.

"I always remind Jojo that the pageant or the show is not important. What's important is the entertainment and the beauty queen's journey. So it's also business. If business is not good and you don't have enough, it will not help you. You need to help yourself first," Mr. Nawat said.

Miss Grand International 2025 Emma Tiglao,
Reina Filipinas National Director

Also gracing the Reina Filipinas launch were Vanessa Pulgarin of Colombia, the MGI All Stars 2026 winner; Gazini Ganados, MGI All Stars Top 5; and CJ Opiaza, Miss Grand International 2024

Both Papa Nawat and Jojo shared words of wisdom for aspiring beauty queens.

"Be yourself first. Being beautiful is the second level. But the most important thing is being yourself. Only you can stand for everything. No one can push you backward all the time. You have to stand by yourself. You have to know your brand and decide for yourself. If you are yourself, you get charisma. Don't worry about anything. You have confidence. If you act like others, people will talk and try to push you because you lack strong conviction.

MGI All Stars 2026 Vanessa Pulgarin of Colombia

"The second is beauty. It is yours. You cannot say your beauty should be like Emma (Tiglao). And you have to be beautiful like Emma. No, everyone has their own beauty. Don't copy anyone.

"But we have many clinics. If you can perform minor surgery. Why not? You can go to Korea and Thailand. If you do something, you will improve. Easy for your life. You can get a skin lift, veneers, and a hair transformation; that's fine.

"The third, you must learn not only the beauty pageant aspects but also the business side. You have to learn the social media network.

Miss Grand International 2024 CJ Opiaza

Gazini Ganados, MGI All Stars 2026 Top 5 finalist

"When you travel around the world, you learn your capabilities and limitations. You are in the safety zone. When beauty queens travel, they should know many things. They should know about religion and politics. Because countries have different religions and politics, you know what you can and cannot say.

"And the most important thing to do is conduct business. If you do nothing and just wait for businessmen to come, I don't care if you want to make it. You have to stand up for yourself. You have your territory and title," Nawat also said.


Jojo, sharing his advice to future queens, added, "Never lose your heart in everything you do. Win or lose, as long as you have your heart, that's what's important at the end of the day. You will not question your worth."

Main photo caption: Jojo Bragais (left), President, Reina Filipinas Organization, and Nawat Itsaragrisil, President, Miss Grand International Organization. (Images courtesy of Reina Filipinas Facebook)


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