Cebu’s MUPH 2024 bet Kris Tiffany Janson out to prove she still got it

Miss Universe Philippines Cebu Kris Tiffany Janson/ARMIN P. ADINA

It has been a decade since Kris Tiffany Janson became the first Binibining Pilipinas queen to be sent to the Miss Intercontinental pageant, where she also almost became the first Filipino woman to bring home the title. And so when she signed up for the Miss Universe Philippines Cebu pageant late last year, there were some observers who said that she is “already past her prime.”

“I think that’s one of the reasons, actually, that encouraged me to join. Because apparently, here in the Philippines, it has been a limitation for people,” she told INQUIRER.NET at the sidelines of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant’s signing event held recently at the Hilton Manila in Pasay City.

“What does it really mean to be in her prime, really?” asked the seasoned aspirant, who handily won her provincial pageant despite having fierce competition from fellow Cebuana beauties. “Every person, every woman, has their own timeline,” continued the 34-year-old host and model.

But Janson said that she was not hurt when she saw the comments about her age, and how she is no longer as formidable of a contender as she used to be. “I know I’m very much aware of how old I am. But I know also how capable I am as a person,” she shared.

Being aware of how Filipino society limits a woman’s abilities based on how old she is has given Janson a deeper purpose for joining another pageant 10 years after bringing honor to the country by placing as second runner-up in the 2014 Miss Intercontinental pageant.

“I’m here and my heart is filled with purpose. And I just want people to be inspired, to understand that age should not be a limitation for you to start your dream, chase that dream and fulfill the dream you have in your heart,” she explained.

Janson also offered a more understanding response to people who set limitations on women based on age. “They must have had a reason why they view life in such a way. But I hope that even if they have that view in life, it doesn’t also stop them from dreaming, it doesn’t limit them from dreaming and chasing what they want,” she said.

Her Bb. Pilipinas successor, 2015 Miss Intercontinental first runner-up Christi Lynn McGarry who is also 34 years old, is in the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant as well, as the representative of Taguig City.

Several other aspirants are also in their 30s, aside from Janson and McGarry. Bb. Pilipinas alumna Selena Antonio-Reyes from Pasig City is 38, Mary May Yasol and Christina Chalk from overseas Filipino communities are 32 and 31, respectively, while Davao del Sur’s Joanna Yulo is the oldest contestant at 39 years old.

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) announced last year the removal of the maximum age restrictions for the competition and all the affiliate pageants starting this year. This directive came after the organizers started allowing mothers and married women in last year’s contest.

The 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant will crown the Philippines’ representative to the 73rd Miss Universe competition that will be held in Mexico later this year. Last year’s national queen, Michelle Marquez Dee, finished in the Top 10 of the global tilt, and also brought home four other accolades.

To date, four Filipino women have been proclaimed Miss Universe—Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in 1973, Pia Wurtzbach in 2015, and Catriona Gray in 2018.