New MUPH-Quezon City bet Cam Lagmay (right). MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES-QUEZON CITY FACEBOOK PHOTO
The Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City has announced the appointment of Cam Lagmay as the its new representative to the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, replacing Lorraine Ojimba, who recently bowed out of the race due to health reasons.
Lagmay, who served as Ojimba’s first runner-up during a pageant in February, brings back to 53 the total number of delegates that the Miss Universe Philippines now has prior to its coronation night of May 22.
The national pageant organization confirmed with INQUIRER.net that the new city queen will be allowed to take part in the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, taking over from Ojimba’s truncated participation.
The city pageant organizer said in a Facebook post on April 7: “When you’re meant for greatness, even the universe conspires to make it happen. We are thrilled to announce that Cam Lagmay has been crowned as the new Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City.”
While the lass from Quezon City’s ascension to the title was due to a substitution, Lagmay’s lineage was not something to sneer at, as she is descended from the Philippines’ first woman senator, Geronima Pecson.
In announcing Lagmay’s assumption, the MUPH-Quezon City organization said, “as a young girl, she believed that she was destined for greatness. Her family lineage boasts of having the first female Philippine senator and a National Scientist of the Philippines.”
Lagmay is an alumna of the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she was captain of the UP Pep Squad. She was also a member of the Philippine National Cheerleading Team.
Ojimba earlier edged out Lagmay for the title at the first Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City pageant in February. The contest was held to choose the Miss Universe Philippines delegate from the “City of Stars.”
This month, however, the city pageant organizer announced Ojimba’s withdrawal from the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant.
“It saddens us to share that due to personal matters that are affecting Lorraine’s mental and physical well-being, she has decided to withdraw from the pageant,” the Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City organization said in a Facebook post.
“We want to assure everyone that this decision was made after careful consideration, prioritizing Lorraine’s health above all. We are grateful for your understanding and kindness during this time, and we hope to have your continued support as Lorraine navigates on to her new journey,” the organizer continued.
This is not the first time that a Miss Universe Philippines “Accredited Partner” was allowed to replace a delegate it initially sent.
After the presentation of Miss Universe Philippines 2024 delegates in early February, Kananga’s representative Natasha Jung announced her withdrawal from the competition.
The Leyte town pageant organizer immediately replaced her with Miss Kananga first runner-up Phoebe Arrianna Torita.
Aside from Ojimba and Jung, Joanne Thornley from Angeles City and Kiara London from the Filipino community in Washington, United States, also bowed out of the national competition.
The 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant will crown Michelle Marquez Dee’s successor as national queen. The winner will be proclaimed at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on May 22.
The new winner will represent the Philippines in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico later this year.