Miss Universe Philippines 2020

The new Miss Universe Philippines franchise was awarded to Shamcey Supsup-Lee, national director. Supsup was the Philippines' representative to the Miss Universe 2011 pageant where she placed 3rd Runner-Up.[1][14] It marked the first time in the history of the Miss Universe Philippines franchise that contestants will be allowed to communicate in local Philippine languages other than Filipino.[15]

In December 2019, the organization launched its search for the next Filipina who would represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2020 competition.[1][16][17][18] On February 14, 2020, the 52 contestants of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 were presented during the Red Carpet Presentation at Manila Hotel.[19][20]

On January 29, 2020, the organization announced that the coronation will be held on May 3, 2020 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines.[21][22] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was rescheduled twice; first to June 14, 2020,[23][24] and later to October 25, 2020, at the Cordillera Convention Hall, Baguio Country Club in Baguio, Benguet, Philippines.[4][5]

The procedures for the organization of the pageant was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the enhanced community quarantines in the country. The Miss Universe Philippines organization released new guidelines entitled "2020 Pageant Way Forward".[25]

It was originally planned that the contestants would be divided into smaller groups for the preliminaries which involved the swimsuit and evening gown competition. All should wear masks except their individual turns on the competition stage and each contestant was obligated to go home after her respective turn.[25] Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the date and venue for the preliminary competition was moved. The preliminary competition was filmed at the Baguio Country Club in Baguio, Benguet.[26] Worldwide audience was able to watch the preliminary interview on October 21 and national costume, swimsuit, and evening gown competition on October 23 through a streaming service offered by the organizer.[5] It was hosted by Benjamin Alves.[27]

The finals night was originally planned to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Metro Manila,[25] but the venue was changed due to the pandemic. Under the assumption that the pageant would be held in a large venue as there would be no audiences allowed under the guidelines of Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) through health and safety protocols. The MUP organization projected less than 100 people would be needed, including the contestants, judges, and production team with social distancing implemented. Most production materials for the pageant would be pre-taped. The finals night would be made available to the public online via pay-per-view streaming.[25][28]

Contestants representing Sorsogon and Cagayan de Oro withdrew from the competition after they tested positive for COVID-19.[29][30][31]

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.[32][33]

A new crown was used to award the winner of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant for the 2020 edition. The headwear is known as the "Filipina" crown and was crafted by the Villarica family, who is known for running the Villarica Pawnshop.[10][11]

Each element of the crown represents the following:[10][11]

• Swirl of leaves – every women who aims for success in "different forms" but still keeps "the Filipino values in their hearts".
• Diamond embedded in each leaf – signifies "the sparkle" in the lives of people that each woman encounters.
• Golden south sea pearls – four values of creativity, intelligence, optimism, and fear of God.
• Sapphire, Ruby and Topaz – was patterned after the blue, red, and yellow colors of the Philippine flag

The Philippine map results of Miss Universe Philippines 2020, colors shaded in each province/cities.

§ – Lazada Fan Vote Winner

The preliminary competition was filmed at the Baguio Country Club in Baguio, Benguet.[42] Worldwide audience was able to watch the preliminary interview on October 21 and national costume, swimsuit, and evening gown competition on October 23 through a streaming service offered by the organizer.[5] It was hosted by Benjamin Alves.[27]

• Mary Jean Lastimosa – Miss Universe Philippines 2014[43]
• Katrina Salonga Verzosa – Owner and founder of the Verzosa Aesthetic Clinic.[44]
• Maria Venus Raj – Miss Universe Philippines 2010[43]
• Ariella Arida – Miss Universe Philippines 2013[43]
• Jackie Aquino – General manager of JCA Productions and the president of Philippine Fashion Coalition[44]
• Samuel Salonga Verzosa Jr. – Co-founder and CEO of Frontrow[44]
• Neil Perez – Mister International 2014[44]

The coronation night was filmed at Baguio Country Club and streamed on October 25 worldwide.[5] It was hosted by American radio DJ and actor KC Montero.[27] American Idol alum Jessica Sanchez and Filipino actors Allen Cecilio, Anjo Damiles, and Kevin Montillano performed as musical guests.[45]

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.[46]

Two questions were asked in the question-and-answer portion for the Top 5 candidates; the first being unique to each candidate and the second question was answered by all five candidates. The second question was related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been noted to have shifted priorities, and where does pageants in general stand at the moment.[47]

• RS Francisco – Actor and co-founder of Frontrow[48]
• Eric Yap – Representative of ACT-CIS Partylist and Legislative Caretaker of the Lone District of Benguet[48]
• Harry Roque – Lawyer and Presidential Spokesperson[48]
• Jackie Aquino – General manager of JCA Productions and the president of Philippine Fashion Coalition[48]
• Venus Navalta – CEO of IPG Mediabrands Philippines[48]
• Janine Tugonon – Miss Universe Philippines 2012[48]
• Arlene Magalong – Wife of the mayor of Baguio[48]
• Arthur Peña – Group Director for Media of Procter & Gamble Philippines[48]
• Samuel Salonga Verzosa Jr. – Co-founder and CEO of Frontrow[48]

• Princess Marquez of Aurora – On October 19, 2020, Marquez confirmed her withdrawal due to some personal reasons.[52]
• Vincy Vacalares of Cagayan de Oro – On October 16, 2020, an accredited partner of Miss Universe Philippines announced that Vacalares tested positive for COVID-19.[29]
• Mariam Lara Hamid of Capiz – On October 3, 2020, Hamid posted on her social media account declaring her withdrawal due to some issues with her province's accredited partner.[53]
• Chaira Lyn Markwalder of Leyte
• Angela Aninang of Negros Occidental – On February 28, 2020, it was confirmed that Aninang will be withdrawing from the pageant to focus on her study.[54]
• Maria Isabela Galeria of Sorsogon – On October 15, 2020, Galeria announced that she will be leaving the competition as she continue her full recovery from COVID-19 after contracting the disease on September 27.[30][31]