Sagada Beauty makes history as sole Cordilleran in first-ever Ms. Celebrity International Philippines

FEATURE

SAGADA, Mountain Province — For many young women, joining a beauty pageant is a personal dream. For 25-year-old Judy Awingan Justo of Sagada, it is something much bigger — an opportunity to represent her people, culture, and homeland on a national stage.

As the sole Cordilleran delegate in the first-ever 2026 Ms. Celebrity International Philippines, Judy carries not only the banner of Mountain Province but also the hopes and pride of an entire region. Her inclusion in the pioneer batch of candidates makes her participation both historic and symbolic for the Cordillera.

“I’m not only doing this for myself but also for my kakailyans,” Judy said, reflecting on the responsibility that comes with representing the region.

The reigning Miss Mountain Province 2025 will compete in the national pageant scheduled for August 2026. While pageantry may now seem like a natural path for her, Judy revealed that her journey began with uncertainty and self-doubt.

A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Saint Louis University and currently pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree, Judy has balanced academics with modeling and pageantry. Yet confidence was not something that came easily.

She recalled initially feeling discouraged because of her height, a concern she thought would limit her opportunities in the pageant world. Through modeling, however, she gradually learned to embrace herself and gained the confidence to step into the spotlight.

Her first pageant experience ended with a first runner-up finish. A year later, she was appointed to represent Sagada in the Mr. and Ms. Mountain Province pageant — a moment she now describes as one of the biggest plot twists of her life.

“On only my second attempt in pageantry, I was blessed to bring home the crown for our municipality after two decades,” she shared.

Her journey to the national stage came unexpectedly. Judy revealed that she was not originally slated to compete in Ms. Celebrity International Philippines. The opportunity arose after the initial representative from Mountain Province withdrew for personal reasons and personally recommended her as a replacement.

Despite her initial hesitation, she accepted the challenge, viewing it as a chance to amplify the voices of indigenous communities and showcase the beauty of Cordilleran culture.

Behind the sash and crown, Judy says she remains grounded by her roots and guided by a desire to serve.

“Behind this sash and crown is simply an Igorota with big dreams, a heart for service, and a deep love for her roots,” she said.

As she prepares for the competition, Judy hopes to use the platform to advocate for accessible healthcare for indigenous peoples — a cause that reflects both her medical aspirations and commitment to community service.

She also hopes to introduce a wider audience to the rich traditions, resilience, and identity of the Cordillera.

“To all my supporters, my fellow iSagadas, and to my beloved homeland Sagada, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will make sure to give back by standing firm on my advocacy and using this platform to help create meaningful impact for the communities I represent,” she said.

As the countdown to the 2026 pageant begins, Judy continues to navigate two demanding worlds — medicine and pageantry. Yet through it all, she remains focused on a mission larger than herself: carrying the Cordillera's story to the national stage and making her kakailyans proud.