MANILA, Philippines — The 40 candidates for Mutya Pilipinas were formally introduced to the media at Citadines Bay City in Manila on Thursday, August 1.

The pageant formerly known as Mutya ng Pilipinas has gone through some changes starting with the return of Cory Quirino as president of the organization, after taking a break from the pageant scene.

The candidates will compete for the following titles:

• Miss Asia Pacific International
• World Top Model Philippines
• Miss Tourism International
• Filipino Overseas Communities

The contest will also have a 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up.

This year’s candidates were chosen from all over the Philippines, and Filipino overseas communities during the 3-month search of the organization. Some of the candidates have also competed in other local and national pageants.

One of the ladies who surprised the media was former Binibining Pilipinas 2019 candidate April Short. In an interview with Rappler on the sidelines of the press presentation, she said that she’s aiming to win the title of World Top Model Philippines, the new title recently acquired by the organization.

“I just want to venture into modeling now,” April said.

Asked what she wanted to pick up from this journey, the candidate from Zamboanga City said: “I am going to enjoy every bit of it and the learnings with my pasarela, Q and A, and of course socializing with other people. That’s very important for the pageant.”

Two candidates shared the Darling of the Press tag: Andrea Fe Gomez of Baguio City and Maxinne Nicole Rangel of Padre Garcia, Batangas.

The 2018 Mutya queens led by Aya Fernandez, Kesha Ramachandran, Pauline Amelinckx, and Justine Teng came to support the candidates.

Coronation night is scheduled at the Mall of Asia Arena on August 18. 

The candidates

1. Jigg Kirsty Ang, Catanduanes

2. Alyana Bettina Penales, Bacacay, Albay

3. Jasmine Eaton, Tacloban City

4.  Mariah Gelina Lequin, Bogo City, Cebu

5. Amber delos Reyes, Canada

6. Ella Cayabyab, Quezon Province

7. Hanna Jessica Villa, Taguig

8. Louise Janica Arroyo An, California

9. Andrea Fe Gomez, Baguio

10. Jenieva Basultin, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo

11. Keinth Jensen Petrasanta, Laguna

12. Camille Joy Ang, Cavite

13. Andrea Acibo, Batangas City, Batangas

14. Karmina Luiza Grady, Arizona

15. Sandra Jele, Tagbilaran City

16. Maria Isabel Alves, San Isidro, Parañaque

17. Tyra Goldman, Nevada

18. Joi Hunter, Illionois

19. Cyrille Payumo, Pampanga

20. April Short, Zamboanga City

21. Ysabel Napiza, New Jersey

22. Savannah Rosemary Catayas, Australia

23. Klyza Castro, Davao del Sur

24. Christene Longakit, Quezon City

25. Eiffel Janell Rosalita, Sta Maria, Bulacan

26. Karla Claudine Lasquite, Cebu City, Cebu

27. Layla Yousif Adriatico, Bahrain

28. Iana Faye Marie Olea, Davao Oriental

29. Dionne Sade Nicha, Tunasan, Muntinlupa

30. Jenny Kim Agasid, San Dionisio, Parañaque

31. Maricres Castro, Alabang, Muntinlupa

32. Maxinne Nicole Rangel, Padre Garcia, Batangas

33. Maria Angelica Pantaliano, Mandaue City, Cebu

34. Lesley Anne Ticaro, Davao del Norte

35. Camille Maha Marie Rono Fabro, UAE

36. Irish Silades, Malinao, Albay

37. Nina Bernedo, Cagayan de Oro

38. Jaica Zacate, Pangasinan

39. Lady Justerinnie Santos, Bulakan, Bulacan

40. Stephanie Monique Villavicencio, La Paz, Iloilo

— Rappler.com