From self-doubt to the world stage: Sagada’s Blessing Dula carries Igorot pride to Miss Teen Planet

SAGADA, Mountain Province — At 18, Blessing Pecsoy Dula is preparing to walk onto an international stage carrying more than a Philippine sash.

She carries the hopes of the young Igorot girls who may one day see themselves in her.

But long before she became the Philippines’ representative to Miss Teen Planet International 2026, Blessing was simply a nine-year-old girl who was not entirely sure she belonged in the world of pageantry.

Her first step came when her mother encouraged her to join the search for Little Miss Sagada.

She did not win the crown. She finished as first runner-up.

Yet that first experience planted something that would grow with her.

“From there, my love for pageantry started,” she recalled.

Years later, the daughter of Sagada Mayor Felicito O. Dula and Jocelyn P. Dula would return to the pageant stage—not only more confident, but with a much bigger purpose.

From Sagada to the national stage

Blessing eventually joined Miss Sagada 2023, where she won the crown. But her journey did not end in the mountains of Sagada.

She took another leap when she joined Miss Teen Philippines 2026, stepping outside the comfort zone she had known and entering a much larger and more competitive arena.

For Blessing, however, the competition was never simply about beauty, a crown or a title. It was about representation. She saw an industry where she felt Igorots were not often seen, and she wanted to change that.

“I noticed that we, Igorots, are not very active in this kind of industry so I want to show everyone that we can also compete with others,” she said.

That belief carried her through the national competition.

At the February 9 finale, Blessing was named Miss Teen Tourism Philippines 2026, while also receiving the Audience Choice Award, Best in Social Media, and Miss Alta Skin Aesthetics.

Those victories opened the door to an even bigger opportunity.

She is now representing the Philippines at Miss Teen Planet International 2026.

For Blessing, being entrusted with the Philippine banner is both an honor and a privilege.

But behind the confidence seen on stage is a young woman who still remembers the doubts that once followed her.

The girl who asked, “Can I really do this?”

International representation comes with pressure.

And Blessing admits that one of her biggest battles was not another contestant, the judges or the competition.

It was herself.

“Sometimes I would ask myself, ‘Can I really do this?’” Self-doubt, she realized, could either stop her or become the very thing that pushed her forward. She chose the latter.

The encouragement of her family, friends and fellow kakailyans became part of the strength she needed to keep going.

The girl who once questioned whether she was capable of making it this far was now preparing to compete on an international stage.

And perhaps that is the most important crown she has already won—the confidence to believe in herself.

More than beauty

For Blessing, the international competition is also an opportunity to speak about something far beyond pageantry.

She wants to use her platform to promote environmental education, particularly among young people.

Her belief is simple: environmental responsibility must begin early. Children who learn to appreciate and protect nature today can become adults who make better choices for the planet tomorrow.

“If we start young, we can save our future,” she said. It is an advocacy that gives greater meaning to her journey.

The stage may be decorated with lights, gowns and crowns, but Blessing hopes that when people remember her, they will remember more than how she looked.

She wants them to remember what she stood for.

A risk worth taking

Blessing's story is ultimately about taking a chance. Had she allowed her doubts to win when she was younger, the road from Little Miss Sagada to an international pageant may never have happened.

That is why she now hopes other young people will also dare to step beyond their fears.

“Go chase your dreams. Grab every opportunity that comes your way… Be a risk-taker,” she said.

Then she offered a message that perhaps best captures her own journey:

“To be honest, I was also a girl who doubted herself at first. But when an opportunity came, I grabbed it — and look how far I have come. If I can do it, you can do it too.”

From a nine-year-old first runner-up in a local pageant to an 18-year-old carrying the Philippine flag in Brazil, Blessing's journey is a reminder that confidence does not always come before the leap.

Sometimes, you take the leap first—and discover your strength along the way.

And as she steps onto the Miss Teen Planet International stage in Curitiba, Brazil, Blessing will not be walking there alone.

She will be carrying Sagada.

She will be carrying her Igorot identity.

She will be carrying the Philippines.

And perhaps most importantly, she will be carrying the story of the girl who once doubted herself—but chose to believe anyway.

Help Blessing reach the Top 5

Blessing is also appealing to the public to support her bid for Miss People’s Choice, which could help advance her to the Top 5 finalists.

The public may vote through the Miss Teen Planet International voting platform. Free votes are also available through the 1Zone App by searching for “Miss Teen Planet International,” selecting Blessing Dula, and tapping “Free Vote.” The free vote resets every five hours.

As of October 8, the Philippines is among the top three in the online voting, with more than 280,000 votes recorded.

The coronation is scheduled for October 9 at 7:30 a.m. Philippine time in Curitiba, Brazil. It will also be streamed live on YouTube.

Miss Teen Planet International voting page

Miss Teen Planet International coronation livestream