Miss Baguio 2026 coronation set with 16 candidates

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Sixteen women from communities across Baguio are set to compete for the Miss Baguio 2026 crown on Saturday, Sept. 5, in a coronation that will test their stage presence, communication skills and ability to articulate their views on issues they advocate.

The coronation is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m., according to information provided by Miss Baguio organizers.

The candidates, aged 19 to 28, include nurses, students, tourism and hospitality graduates, a painter, a businesswoman, an administrative assistant and others.

Their stated advocacy platforms cover mental health, education, cultural preservation, youth development, inclusion, environmental sustainability and support for local artists and families.

The 16 candidates are:

Camille Cano, 28, candidate No. 1, is from Santo Tomas Proper. She is a nurse at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center and advocates Movement SHE, or Support, Health and Empowerment.

Mikka Soriano, 26, candidate No. 2, is from San Luis Village. She works as an administrative assistant and advocates addressing urban decay in Baguio and other communities.

Jessa Sumayog San, 28, candidate No. 3, is from New Lucban. A hospitality management graduate who works as a barista, she advocates equal access to education.

Patris Balajadia, 22, candidate No. 4, is from Lower Lourdes Subdivision. A nursing graduate of the University of Baguio, she advocates building an inclusive community for children with special needs.

Corinthe Mabatan, 20, candidate No. 5, is from Loakan Proper and is a second-year management accounting student at the University of the Cordilleras. Her advocacy focuses on youth volunteerism and service.

Daniela Moustafa, 20, candidate No. 6, is from South Sanitary Camp. A fourth-year tourism management student specializing in international tourism at the University of Baguio, she advocates support for solo parents.

Charlene Gonzales, 23, candidate No. 7, is also from South Sanitary Camp. She works as a private tutor and businesswoman while studying psychology and advocates child welfare and youth development.

Emerie Gumiran, 22, candidate No. 8, is from Irisan. She works at a hotel front desk and is a tourism management graduate of STI College Baguio. Her advocacy is mental health awareness.

Shanaya Turco, 22, candidate No. 9, is from Gibraltar and studies psychology at the University of the Cordilleras. She also advocates mental health awareness.

Kyla Jose, 19, candidate No. 10, is from Balsigan and is a first-year tourism management student at the University of Baguio. Her advocacy focuses on preserving Baguio’s cultural identity while pursuing a more sustainable future.

Jennylyn Bedania, 21, candidate No. 11, is from North Sanitary Camp. A small-business owner and graduate of secondary education major in English from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Mid La Union Campus, she advocates culture preservation and inclusive education.

Zeira Tamayo, 22, candidate No. 12, is from East Bayan Park. A full-time painter and part-time model, she is a hospitality management graduate of the University of the Cordilleras. Her “One Art for One HeArt” advocacy seeks to empower young aspiring artists through creativity, mentorship and opportunity.

Xyla Magno, 21, candidate No. 13, is from Asin Road. She studied psychology at Saint Louis University and advocates building resilient young minds through accessible psychoeducation and safe spaces.

Frances Licayo, 20, candidate No. 14, is from Pinget. She studied nursing at Pines City College and advocates mental health awareness and support.

Charlotte Gosioco, 19, candidate No. 15, is from Military Cut-Off and is studying language and literature at the University of the Philippines Baguio. Her mental health advocacy, “The Kintsugi Mindset,” focuses on finding beauty in healing rather than perfection.

Katrina Sandhu, 21, candidate No. 16, is from San Vicente. She is an intern at the Bureau of Immigration and studied tourism and hospitality management at the University of the Cordilleras. Her advocacy promotes local artists and crafts.

The candidates have gone through five principal competition segments, according to the organizers: production number, introduction, swimsuit or activewear, evening gown and question-and-answer.

The production number is designed to showcase stage presence and personality, while the introduction segment focuses on individuality, poise and communication.

The swimsuit or activewear and evening gown segments assess presentation and stage presence in different formats.

The question-and-answer round is intended to test the candidates’ intelligence, communication skills, composure and ability to articulate their views on relevant issues.

Organizers will also confer special awards recognizing candidates in areas including stage performance, community engagement, media appeal and advocacy.

The awards listed by organizers include People’s Choice Award, Miss Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit, Best in Long Gown, Best in Production Wear, Best in Community Reel, Media Favorite Award and Ambassadorial Excellence Award.

Voting for the People’s Choice Award is scheduled to close at 7 p.m. Saturday, according to the organizers. Voting is being conducted through the Miss Baguio website.

Tickets are priced at P300.

Organizers said each ticket includes 10 free votes for the candidate of the buyer’s choice, which can be redeemed after checkout upon logging in.

The board of judges named by organizers includes Gwendoline Meliz Soriano, Miss Baguio 2024 and Binibining Pilipinas International 2026; architect Ghenesis Latugat, Miss Baguio 2021 and Miss Universe Baguio 2022; and Anna Lorraine Kier Tabora, Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1977.

Also named as judges are Gladys Vergara, chairperson of the Baguio Tourism Council; Fernando Tiong, president of Terraland Realty and Development Corp.; Garth Talusig, identified by organizers as Caballero Universal Filipinas 2026; and Kevin Claud Beray, identified as Mr. Culture World International 2023 and a book author.

Miss Baguio describes itself as a beauty and personality pageant and a platform for highlighting Baguio’s tourism, arts, culture, heritage and local creative industries.

Organizers said the pageant seeks to emphasize qualities beyond physical appearance, including confidence, intelligence, leadership, cultural awareness and commitment to service.

The pageant also awards special titles including Miss Baguio Turismo, Miss Baguio Kalikasan, Miss Baguio Kultura and Miss Baguio Malikhain.

Organizers said the 2025 edition included Yvonne Llobrera, whom they described as the pageant’s first deaf candidate and an advocate for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Janela Recio of Trancoville was crowned Miss Baguio 2025. She is the incumbent titleholder until the 2026 coronation.