The Miss Universe Philippines organization is mixing things up for its second edition, announcing on Wednesday, July 14, a new format for the 2021 pageant. 

Ahead of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo’s first media conference since returning to Manila, the organization announced that its 2021 pageant would take place on September 25. 

But unlike its first edition, the 2021 pageant will cast a wider net, involving over 100 delegates from around the country. 

On July 19, the organization will announce its “Top 100” delegates, who will then have to undergo several challenges in the succeeding weeks. All the challenges will be done remotely so that delegates won’t need to fly to Metro Manila, where the organization is based. 

Through voting via the Miss Universe Philippines app, the delegates will be narrowed down to 75 and then 50. The “Top 50” will then need to fly to Manila for in person interviews with the organization. From the 50, 30 delegates will be announced on August 31. 

It’s the “Top 30” who will compete live and in person during the coronation night. 

“We’ve seen how expensive pageantry can get. We wanted to have a lot more people involved – different cities, different towns and provinces all over the Philippines, without them having to spend for travel, having to spend for accommodations and food. They can actually apply and get to the Top 50 without having to set foot in Manila and spend a single dime,” said Voltaire Tayag, director of communications for the pageant. 

“Following and fulfilling your dreams doesn’t need to be expensive,” he added. 

The Miss Universe Philippines organization is among the youngest in the Philippines. Rabiya is the organization’s first ever Miss Universe candidate. 

Rabiya competed at the Miss Universe pageant in May 2021. She ended her pageant journey in the Top 21. – Rappler.com