The coronavirus pandemic has massively affected big public events beginning the first quarter of 2020. Organizers of festivals, shows and concerts, and sports events, and pageants had to think of other ways to still stage their annual tradition while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
In the world of pageantry, Miss World and Miss International pageants were scrapped this year, Miss Earth 2020 was held virtually, while Miss Universe was shelved to 2021.
On the local front, aspiring beauty queens still had chances to chase their dreams. Miss Universe Philippines and Miss Earth-Philippines organizers crowned their 2020 winners in a virtual show, while the Bb. Pilipinas search was postponed indefinitely choosing to do some charities involving their 40 candidates to help in relief efforts for COVID-19 and typhoon-affected communities.
Roxanne Allison Baeyens was named Miss Earth Philippines 2020 during the pageant’s first virtual coronation in Baguio City on July 5. The 23-year-old Fil-Belgian model and Tourism graduate was named Miss Earth-Water in the virtual Miss Earth 2020 pageant won by USA’s Lindsey Coffey, the first American beauty to win the title, on Nov. 29.
Rabiya Mateo, a 24-year-old Half-Indian physical therapist from Iloilo was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020 succeeding last year’s Gazini Ganados during a semi-virtual competition held at Baguio Country Club, Baguio City on Oct. 25.
Rowena Sasuluya, handpicked to represent the Philippines, placed 4th runner-up at Miss Globe 2020, held in Albania on Nov. 12. The crown was won by Kosovo’s Lorinda Kolgeci.
Roberta Angela Tamondong, an 18-year-old, student at San Beda College, bested 34 girls from around the world and brought home the Miss ECO Teen International 2020 title in Hurghada, Egypt on Dec. 6 with the Netherlands’ Danielle Isabelle Dolk, a Dutch-Filipina, finishing as 2nd runner-up.
Two Filipina-Americans rocked the Miss USA stage with Ki’ilani Arruda of Kauai, Hawaii, winning Miss Teen USA 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee on Nov. 7. The 18-year-old freshman at University of Puget Sound was born in the island of Kapaa to American father and Filipino mother.
It could have been a historic double victory for half-Pinays, but Miss Idaho Kim Layne, who was born to an Irish father and a Filipino mother, finished as first runner-up to Miss Mississippi Asya Branch at Miss USA 2020, held in Memphis on Nov. 9. There is a clamor now for Layne to compete in Miss Universe Philippines 2021.
On the first week of 2020, Myla Villagonzalo Tsutaichi won Mrs. Tourism Ambassador International 2020 at the Mrs. Tourism Ambassador Universe 2020 pageant held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2020 winners were named: Jannarie Zarzoso – Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2020 (Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte); Jasmine Omay – first runner-up (Tarlac City); and Allyssa May Nicholls – 2nd runner-up (Sultan Kudarat).
Mrs. Queen of Hearts Philippines 2020, the pageant for married women, held its live coronation finals under strict health protocols to crown six new winners at Dusit D2 in Bonifacio Global City on Oct. 30. They were Annette Mendoza, Mrs. Worldwide Philippines 2020; Louise Suzanne Alba Lopez, Mrs. Asia Pacific Global 2020; Darling Topacio Edralin, Mrs. Asia Pacific All Nations 2020; Joana Krisanta La Madrid, Mrs. Asia Pacific Tourism 2020; Ma. Glovel Tasico, Mrs. Asia Pacific Intercontinental Philippines; and Sarima Paglas, Mrs. Asia Pacific Cosmopolitan Philippines 2020. Other winners were Catherine Jordan Flores as Mrs. Queen of Hearts 2020, and Ivy Dianna Manzon Bo, Mrs. Queen of Hearts Tourism 2020.
Comedian and TV host Giselle Sanchez, competing for Philippines Visayas, was named Noble Queen International 2020 while sultry singer Malu Barry, Noble Queen of the Universe Classic. The pageant was won by Megan Camaisa of Southern California USA on December 30.