Reigning Mrs. Universe Philippines Veronica Yu/ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — Reigning Mrs. Universe Philippines Veronica Yu has been a volunteer firefighter since she was a teenager. And she continues to remind the public to practice fire safety in their own homes, more so now that she is a national beauty titleholder.
The country marks “Fire Prevention Month” every March, when most incidents of fire occur based on national statistics. And Yu appealed to Filipinos to “stay away from fire,” she said at her victory press conference held at Illo’s Home Buffet at the Swire Elan Suites in San Juan City on Feb. 24.
The queen finished seventh overall in a field of more than 100 international delegates at the 2022 Mrs. Universe pageant held in Sofia, Bulgaria, earlier this month. She is now the highest ranked Filipino candidate in the global competition. Her national director Charo Laude was a semifinalist in the international contest in 2019.
Yu also married a firefighter, Johnnie Yu, that is why safety and security is of utmost concern for her. But other than that, she also advocated for the prevention of violence against women and their children on the international stage.
The global crown eventually went to Elena Maximova from the Russian Republic of Udmurtia, who Yu said rightfully deserved the title. “There were judges, that’s already destiny at play, let us accept it. To stand on the international stage is already an honor in itself,” the Filipino queen said. Yu was also proclaimed as Mrs. Elegance in the 2022 Mrs. Universe pageant.
Reigning Mrs. Universe Philippines Veronica Yu/ARMIN P. ADINA
The Mrs. Universe Philippines Foundation fielded five delegates in the international competition. Aside from Yu, Gines Angeles also advanced to the semifinals. The other Filipino contenders were Lady Chatterly Alvaro-Sumbeling, Jeanie Jarina, and Virginia Evangelista.
The next Mrs. Universe pageant, the 2023 edition, will be staged in the Philippines in October this year. Laude said she will soon announce details for the national competition where the delegates to the international contest will be chosen.
The competition should not be confused with another contest with a similar title. The international organization Laude is affiliated with is based in Bulgaria, and has been consecutively staging pageants since 2007. The Sofia-based entity is claiming that its Mrs. Universe contest is 45 years old now.
The other contest, the Mrs. Universe (Official) pageant, was established by Australia-based Filipino entrepreneur Maryrose Salubre last year, and held its first contest in Sydney in December. It will also reportedly hold its 2023 program in the Philippines in October. EDV