TOKYO—The Filipinos’ domination of global pageantry is so undeniable that other countries have been fielding candidates with roots in the Philippines.
In the ongoing 2025 Miss International pageant in Japan, Binibining Pilipinas Myrna Esguerra is joined by Bella Dela Cruz of Australia and Allyson Ee of Malaysia, who both incidentally competed in the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant.
Dela Cruz was fielded by the Filipino community in Sydney, Australia, to the Philippine national pageant, and eventually carried her parents’ home city of Lucena in Quezon.
Ee was sent by the Filipino community in Northern California in the United States to Miss Universe Philippines, and later represented her parents’ home city of Caloocan in the competition.
“Pageantry is really in the blood of Filipinos, so I’m grateful to be half [Filipino]. I’m half Malaysian,” Ee said. “I’m also grateful that my team is also comprised of Filipinos, and we know they’re experts when it comes to pageantry.”
The two ladies spoke with CoverStory at the sidelines of the Miss International pageant’s preliminary evaluation held at the Professional University of Beauty and Wellness in Yokohama on Nov. 24.
“I think it’s so meaningful, doing it here, because the Miss International organization celebrates intercultural harmony, equality and compassion among nations,” Dela Cruz said, adding:
“I come from one of the most multicultural countries in the world, Australia, with over 260 ethnicities, the second most multicultural country in the world. And you know, that really teaches me about harmony, peace, and understanding among all nations.”
Dela Cruz also expressed gratitude for her Filipino heritage, which, she said, taught her “so many amazing values that I always take with me, such as resilience, respect for parents, and faith.”
While Dela Cruz is aiming to post Australia’s fourth victory in the Miss International pageant, Ee is hoping to become the first winner from Malaysia.
Esguerra is riding on the Philippines’ reputation as the most successful Asian country in the Miss International pageant, with six winners—Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Rose Santiago (2013), and Kylie Verzosa (2016).
The 2025 Miss International pageant’s Final Gala will be held at the Yoyogi National Stadium 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo on Nov. 27. Eighty delegates are competing to succeed reigning queen Huýnh Thị Thanh Thủy from Vietnam.
