24 candidates vie for Miss World Philippines 2026 on Feb. 3

By Annalyn S. Jusay

Published Jan 17, 2026 08:10 am

The grand coronation night of Miss World Philippines will be held on Feb. 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with the organization officially presenting its 24 candidates to the media at the Golden Ballroom of Okada Manila on Jan. 16.

Miss World Philippines 2026 candidates pose with MWP national director Arnold Vegafria (center) at Okada Manila.

In his opening remarks, Miss World Philippines national director Arnold L. Vegafria expressed hope that the country's second blue crown is within reach, following Megan Young's win in 2013. He noted that last year's representative, Krishnah Gravidez, came close after being named Miss World Asia 2025 at the 72nd Miss World pageant held in Telangana, India.

"Krishnah set the bar high with her near-finish last year, but we pray that we remain consistent with our winning track record," he noted.   

Aside from the main winner, the Feb. 3 pageant will also crown the candidates who will represent the Philippines in Universal Woman 2026 and Miss Global 2026.

This year's official candidates are the following: 

1. Nikki Malabuyoc Lorzano - Batangas

2. Carolyn Kean Tuquero - Bauan, Batangas   

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3. Gwen Marie Perion - Bukidnon

4. Jayvee Lyn Lorejo - Davao Region

5. Imani Ja'Asia Quiban-Smith - Filipino Community of Hawaii

6. Marizza Delgado - Filipino Community of New York

7. Angel Abergas - Filipino Community of Singapore

8. Margarethe Elize Romano - Filipino Community of United Kingdom   

9. Valerie Pawid West - Ifugao

10. Christal Briseis Polancos - Iligan City

11. Zia Ainhize Arboleda - Laguna

12. Anne De Mesa - Manila

13. Zoe Sofia Gabon - Naga City

14. Cindy Valencia - Negros Island Region

15. Meridith Bobadilla - Occidental Mindoro

16. Ronette Castillo - Oriental Mindoro

17. Jiji Galapia - Pampanga

18. Asia Rose Simpson - Quezon City

19. Kiana Rose Henson - Quezon Province

20. Lorraine Ojimba - Rizal Province

21. Olivia Grace Reilly - Sultan Kudarat

22. Cherline Dalangin - Valenzuela

23. Ansha Lichelle Jones - Zamboanga City

24. Roveelaine Eve Castillo - Zamboanga Peninsula

Darling of the Press winners were (from left): Miss Ifugao, Miss Davao Region, and Miss Filipino Community of the United Kingdom

At the event, three candidates were named the Darling of the Press based on their beauty, personality, and stage presence. They are: Miss Davao Region Jayvee Lyn Lorejo, Miss Ifugao Valerie West, and Miss FilCom UK Margarethe Romano.

The candidates will now proceed to a series of fast-track competitions, including Top Model, Talent, Sports Challenge, Multimedia Challenge, and Head-to-Head Challenge. This will all culminate in a Charity Gala Night scheduled on Jan. 29 at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom.

Vegafria noted that one of its accomplishments this year was acquiring more franchise partners. This led to the participation of Filipino communities in Hawaii, New York, Singapore, the United Kingdom, as well as in Davao City, Ifugao Province, Iligan City, and Sultan Kudarat.

Arnold Vegafria (second from left) is flanked by his queens: Miss World Asia 2025 Khrishnah Gravidez (leftmost), Universal Woman 2025 PH delegate and MWP 2024 first runner-up Jasmine Omay (second from right), and Universal Woman Philippines 2025 Sophia Bianca Santos

"This is part of our organization's push for inclusivity and our legacy of promoting local tourism. I always say pageantry is the best and cheapest platform to promote our tourism industry. If the government will not do anything to promote, then we will take the initiative ourselves because we love our country," he stressed.

Miss World Philippines 2026 is presented by: JuanHand in cooperation with Bench, Bench Body, and Bench Active. Major sponsors are: GlutaLipo, Philippine Airlines, Honest Glow, Hikari, Hotel 101, SY Glow, Discovery Suites, Monarch Montage Skin Science and Medical Aesthetics International, Nova Aesthetic and Wellness Clinic, and co-sponsors MWell, Hairfix, Megan Beauty, Nutriexpert, Deoflex, and Nook Salon + Estetik. 

Miss World PH also gives thanks to: John Robert Powers, SysProtech, Reyes-Tacandong and Company, City of Pasig, Jojo Bragais, Southville, Power House, Victoria Sports Club, Kembot Studios, Sta. Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, Peculiar Eyewear, Proshot, Flower Bouquet by Abbey Abad, and Flower Bouquet by Muelo.

Motorists face ₱2 fuel hike as Iran unrest spurs supply risk

 

By Gabriell Christel Galang

Published Jan 16, 2026 09:41 am

Fuel prices are poised for a hefty jump next week as escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East and the Black Sea outweigh a potential global supply glut.

Based on the four-day trading data from the Mean of Platts Singapore, gasoline prices may rise by ₱1 to ₱1.20 per liter, while diesel is projected to spike by ₱1.80 to ₱2 per liter. Kerosene is also expected to increase by approximately ₱1 per liter.

The potential adjustments follow a volatile week where supply disruption fears took center stage.

The rally is being driven by civil unrest in Iran, the fourth-largest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Demonstrations against the country’s clerical system have sparked concerns over the stability of its output, which accounts for roughly four percent of global demand.

Any sustained loss of Iranian exports would tighten markets across Asia, particularly in China, which remains the primary buyer of the Islamic Republic’s crude.

“Crude oil and finished petroleum products had a short-lived upswing this week driven primarily by fears of an escalation in tension in Iran,” said Rodela Romero, director of the Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau.

Market participants are also monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transit.

Leo Bellas, president of Jetti Petroleum, said that despite a looming supply surplus, the threat of United States (US) intervention in support of Iranian protesters has raised the risk of the conflict spreading and threatening flows through the waterway.

Further pressure emerged from the Black Sea, where drone attacks on two Western-operated oil tankers added to the geopolitical premium. The incident has intensified worries that regional conflicts are expanding to hit vital energy infrastructure far beyond the Persian Gulf.

Domestic factors are exacerbating the impact of rising global benchmarks. The Philippine peso recently hit a record low of ₱59.46 against the US dollar, adding an estimated ₱0.10 to ₱0.50 per liter to the projected price hikes.

To be sure, some factors could limit the scale of the increases. The U.S. recently reported a larger-than-expected build in oil and fuel inventories, and the potential for steady supply from Venezuela may provide a buffer. However, these factors have yet to offset the risk premium currently baked into regional prices.

Hat das Sparbuch ausgedient? So können Sie sinnvoll Geld für Kinder anlegen

Stand:14.01.2026, 17:43 Uhr

Von: Marike Stucke

Ein Klassiker, der inzwischen durch konstant niedrige Zinsen ausgedient hat: Das Sparbuch. © IMAGO/BODE

Das Sparbuch war lange der Klassiker, wenn Eltern oder Großeltern Geld für Kinder und Enkel anlegen wollten. Doch es gibt bessere Alternativen.

Viele Eltern möchten frühzeitig finanziell für ihre Kinder vorsorgen – doch das klassische Sparbuch ist dafür kaum noch geeignet. Die Zinsen sind niedrig, während die Preise steigen. Das bedeutet: Das Ersparte verliert über die Jahre an Kaufkraft, selbst wenn der Kontostand wächst. Für langfristige Ziele wie Studium, Ausbildung oder eine Starthilfe ins Erwachsenenleben braucht es daher bessere Lösungen.   

Tipps rund um das Thema Familien-Finanzen finden Sie auch in unserem gratis PDF:

Finanzielle Unterstützung für Familien vom Staat

Das PDF gibt einen Überblick für Familien rund um das Thema finanzielle Unterstützung. © IMAGO / Zoonar & Ippen.Media

Welche finanziellen Unterstützungen gibt es vom Staat für Eltern vor und nach der Geburt des Kindes? Dieses PDF gibt einen Überblick über die Leistungen, einzuhaltende Fristen und Voraussetzungen für den Bezug der Gelder.   

Eine der beliebtesten Alternativen sind ETF-Sparpläne. Sie investieren breit gestreut in viele Unternehmen und bieten langfristig deutlich höhere Renditechancen als klassische Sparprodukte. Durch regelmäßige Einzahlungen profitieren Eltern vom Durchschnittskosteneffekt, der Kursschwankungen abmildert. Auch Fonds, Tages- oder Festgeldkonten können sinnvoll sein – vor allem für kürzere Zeiträume oder als Ergänzung zu renditestärkeren Anlagen. Viele Familien setzen auf eine Mischung aus Sicherheit und Wachstum.

Eigene Steuerfreibeträge der Kinder nutzen

Besonders interessant ist das Anlegen auf den Namen des Kindes, etwa über ein spezielles Kinderdepot bei Banken oder Online-Bro­kern. Der große Vorteil: Kinder haben eigene Steuerfreibeträge, die genutzt werden können. Kapitalerträge bleiben so oft steuerfrei, während Eltern mit denselben Erträgen möglicherweise bereits Steuern zahlen müssten. Wichtig ist jedoch zu wissen: Das Geld gehört rechtlich dem Kind und steht ihm spätestens mit dem 18. Geburtstag vollständig zur Verfügung.   

Kinderdepots sind bei vielen Banken günstig oder sogar kostenlos und eignen sich gut für langfristige Sparpläne. Ein Anbieter-Vergleich lohnt sich, da Kosten, Angebot und Bedienung variieren.

Noch mehr Infos zu finanziellen Hilfen für Familien vom Staat haben wir in einem praktischen PDF zusammengefasst.   

Fazit zur Geldanlage für Kinder

Wer Geld für sein Kind anlegen möchte, sollte das Sparbuch nur noch als kurzfristige Lösung sehen. Langfristige Anlagen wie ETF-Sparpläne bieten deutlich bessere Chancen, Vermögen aufzubauen und die Inflation auszugleichen. In Kombination mit der Nutzung der Steuerfreibeträge für Kinder lässt sich mit überschaubaren Beträgen früh ein solides finanzielles Fundament schaffen – je früher, desto besser.

E-trikes barred from major Davao roads

 

By Philippine News Agency

 

CTTMO head Dionisio Abude clarified that, unlike motorcycles-for-hire (MTH), which adhere to licensing and registration rules, e-trikes do not meet these standards.

“There is still no local ordinance allowing e-trikes to accept passengers or ply national highways and major streets within the city,” Abude said in an interview.

He also mentioned that if e-trikes are allowed on city roads, they should be categorized as “unconventional” and must meet particular standards, such as having a closed cab, to guarantee passenger safety.

“Currently, they are used to carrying passengers without a closed cab, so almost everything is a violation,” Abude said.

Meanwhile, the Davao City Police destroyed 296 modified mufflers (bora-bora) and 270 “lantakas” (improvised pipes made from tin cans) that were confiscated during a series of operations aimed at curbing noise pollution and ensuring public safety.

City Ordinance 0334-12, enacted on Aug. 7, 2012, prohibits the installation of modified mufflers on all vehicles.

Police Col. Mannan Muarip, acting city police director, noted that the ordinance strictly prohibits such modifications because of their harmful impact on community peace and order.

He said police are investigating the sources of illegal mufflers to dismantle the supply chain and prevent additional violations.

“Our operations will continue with barangay-level raids and checkpoints to intercept violators and cut off the supply chain,” Muarip said.

He appealed to motorcycle owners, particularly the youth, to voluntarily surrender their modified mufflers.

“You can turn them over to your barangay captains, and we will collect them there,” he said. (PNA)

What does it feel like living in the Philippines?

 

Serge J.C. Côté

 · 

Lives in Quezon City, Philippines

Two of my favorite topics, feeling and Philippines. Bluntly put, from a North American standpoint, it feels pretty darn good. The everyday life that is.

Of course, there is plenty to complain about while living here, especially in Manila, and even moreso when you are used to living standards of, let's say, living in one of the top 10 most livable countries on earth. If that's how you prefer to live your life, complaining that is, then you would be well served in the Philippines because there is no lack of opportunities.

However, if you leave your prejudices at the airport before departing your homeland, and open your mind to discover why they say "It's more fun in the Philippines" you will soon be in for a great discovery. Yes, the geographical features of the islands are fantastic but it is NOT what will make you FEEL good about living here. Nor is it the stench or the air pollution of Manila in the summer months.

It's the people that makes you feel good. Of course, there's the good, the bad and the ugly just like anywhere else on the planet. In general though, people are nice here. They are friendly and warm. I would even say friendlier and warmer than most places I've been.

So if you're asking or following the question because you are thinking about moving here, let me assure you that it's the people who will make you feel good about living here.

Mabuhay!

8 WAYS PEOPLE GAIN POWER WITHOUT SAYING A WORD

 

Mind-Games

 · 

Posted by 

Oliver

 

Jan 6

8 WAYS PEOPLE GAIN POWER WITHOUT SAYING A WORD

Why do some people walk into a room and the air rearranges itself around them, no announcement, no effort, just presence. Power like that isn’t loud.

It leaks through behavior, timing, restraint. Below are eight ways people collect influence without speeches, threats, or raised voices.

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1. STILLNESS BEFORE RESPONSE 📌

They pause before reacting, not out of confusion but control, that small delay shifts the frame.

others start filling the gap, revealing more than they planned, have you noticed how calm timing bends conversations in their favor, almost unfairly sometimes.

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2. EYE CONTACT THAT DOESN’T BEG 📌

Their gaze holds without pleading or proving, steady yet relaxed, it signals comfort with outcome either way, people read that as authority.

because who isn’t afraid of losing attention rarely loses it, right, in the room.

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3. ECONOMY OF WORDS 📌

They speak less than expected, every sentence earns its seat, scarcity sharpens attention, ramblers lower their own value,

listeners lean in when words arrive measured, placed carefully, like currency spent by someone who already has plenty.

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4. CONTROL OF EMOTIONAL LEAKAGE 📌

Ever seen someone get insulted and not flinch, that restraint rattles observers, emotions become signals not spills,

by choosing what shows they force others to guess, and guessing hands them leverage, doesn’t it, over time.

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5. BODY POSITIONING 📌

They claim space without drama, shoulders open, movements unhurried, bodies teach before mouths do,

people mirror what they respect, so posture becomes instruction, a quiet lesson saying I belong here, whether approval comes or not.

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6. SELECTIVE AVAILABILITY📌

Always reachable people feel cheap, the powerful ration access, delayed replies reset hierarchies,

others adapt to their rhythm, not the reverse, when you’re not scrambling you’re evaluated as valuable, you see it play out daily, don’t you.

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7. COMPOSURE UNDER PRESSURE 📌

Stress exposes rank, those who stay steady while stakes rise become reference points, panic disqualifies faster than mistakes,

calm suggests experience, or at least confidence in recovery, and people follow whoever looks like they’ve been here before.

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8. ENDING INTERACTIONS FIRST 📌

Why do some people leave conversations early and gain status, they choose the exit, not out of boredom but control, endings define memory, by closing interactions first they set terms, leaving others wanting continuation, which softly converts into respect.

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CONCLUSION

Power without noise lasts longer because it isn’t contested, it’s assumed. These behaviors stack gradually,

shaping how people respond before logic even kicks in. This isn’t performance, it’s self control expressed in public moments, once noticed it changes how every interaction feels.

If influence really lives in what you don’t say, what habits are you unknowingly revealing every time you open your mouth?