Ifugao’s Valerie West gains traction, seeks support to advance to semis of MUPH 2025

Ifugao’s Valerie Claire Pawid West remains poised and ready for greatness as she gave the province a strong start in this year’s fierce competition of candidates at the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH).

Hailing from the heritage town of Ifugao, Valerie made history as the province’s first-ever representative in what is considered as one of the most prestigious national beauty pageants in the country. She also represents the Filipino-American community of New York after having been crowned as Miss Reina Filipina North America 2025.

Beyond her beauty and experience in pageantry, the biomedical engineer, who recently earned her degree at the University of Delaware in the United States, brings a fusion of wit, a diverse skill set, grace, and a strong social stance – particularly community service, promotion and preservation of Ifugao’s rich traditions and cultural heritage, environmental protection, empowering future generations, and other philanthropic causes.

To Valerie, the national pageant is “more than a journey; it’s a mission to inspire and empower.”

Miss Ifugao: A powerful contender and a rising star in MUPH 2025 race

With Valerie’s grounded personality, charisma and performance in interviews and other aspects of pageantry, she has risen above the intense competition to emerge as a standout contestant.

As previously released by the MUPH, she is among those featured as Top 5 picks on the partial result of the pageant’s PINA Personality Showcase and PINA Swimsuit Showcase. However, votes for her fell short to make it to the Top 10 in the final count. Nevertheless, she was praised for such a remarkable performance.

The 23-year-old talented lass expressed gratitude on social media for the love, prayers, and support that have been pouring in for the last few weeks. These, she said, fuel her to keep pushing and fighting harder in the competition. Her ‘kailyans’, after all, are in the heart of her MUPH journey.

With less than a month ahead of the coronation night, Valerie asks her supporters to continue rallying behind her as she prepares to amplify her message even louder on the national stage.

Vote Miss Ifugao for “Runway Showcase”

Valerie is among the 67 hopefuls vying to clinch a spot in the third and final component of the online voting – the PINA Runway Showcase, which kicked off on April 1 and will run until April 15. Contenders in this round showcase their unique catwalk performance as they grace the runway in designer ensembles.

Fans and followers can show their support for Valerie by purchasing preferred products via PINA Beauty’s official website (www.pinabeauty.ph) and e-commerce platforms (https://ph.shp.ee/Q7UaJyX, https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.NupYz, https://vt.tiktok.com/ZMhPJsnbD/?page=TikTokShop). Every P1 spent is equivalent to one vote.

To vote on the website, choose Valerie’s photo labeled “Ifugao” from the list, select an item, and then click “Buy Now”. To vote on the e-commerce platforms, first select the product you want to buy before choosing Miss Ifugao’s photo, and proceed to confirm your order.

“Completed purchases will count as votes. COD (cash on delivery) payments will only be counted once delivered and paid. Canceled orders will not be counted,” Pina Beauty, the co-presenter of MUPH 2025 noted.

Top delegates to garner the highest number of votes by the end of the voting period will automatically advance to key segments of the competition.

This year’s coronation night will be held on May 2, 6 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, where reigning queen Chelsea Manalo is set to relinquish her crown to her successor.