MUPH hopeful new rules will ‘filter’ most qualified Miss Universe candidates

MUPH National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee (right) with her queen Michelle Marquez Dee. Image: Facebook/Shamcey Supsup

Every year, the competition for Miss Universe gets fiercer, making the Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) competitive with their newly implemented rules to ensure only the best candidates can aim for the crown. 

On Monday, November 20, National Director of MUP Shamcey Supsup-Lee reiterated during her guest appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” alongside fellow beauty queen MJ Lastimosa that the organization will no longer allow screenings in 2024 as a new rule to acquire the most qualified candidates.

According to Supsup-Lee, every candidate must win in a regional pageant or get appointed by a local partner of the Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) before she can compete in the national arena.

“We’re not allowing screenings anymore. You have to win in your regional pageant,” she said.

“So if you want to become the next Miss Universe Philippines in 2024, then you have to compete locally or be appointed by a local partner. So gano’n na, mas mahirap na ang laban,” explained the beauty queen, who represented the country in the 2011 Miss Universe.

Before this, MUP called for applications, and interested applicants could apply regardless of whether they have won in a previous pageant. However, since the transfer of the franchise of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), every candidate is now required to represent a municipality, city or province in their respective countries.

Shamcey Supsup & MJ Lastimosa Fast Talk with Boy Abunda | via GMA

With this new rule, Supsup-Lee is optimistic that the process will result in the organization finding  a deserving country representative in its affiliate international competitions, such as the Miss Universe pageant.

“Hopefully, through this process, we will find the gem that’s waiting to be found,” said the 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up.

Meanwhile, Lastimosa pitched in and is hopeful that the new regulation will filter the best of the best.

“Mas mahirap na ang susuungin mong karayom, pero we will be able to appoint the best of the best in the future,” said the 2014 Miss Universe PH rep.

In 2024, the MUO will also remove the age-limit requirement among the candidates in the same way transwomen, mothers and wives are now allowed to compete.

The 2023 Miss Universe saw the Philippines’ anticipated comeback in the Top 10 with PH bet Michelle Dee being included in that circle.