Miss Universe Philippines 2024’s mother candidates weigh in on Mother’s Day

MUPH 2024 candidates Denise Yujuico (Virginia), Selena Antonio-Reyes (Pasig City), Johanna Yulo (Davao Region), and, Elle Hollman (Mariveles, Bataan). Images from Armin P. Adina / Instagram

The Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant attracted four mothers in the competition for the second year that moms have been allowed to participate. And National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee said she “applauds” them.

“Kung single ka nga ang hirap na (it already is difficult when you are single), what more if you have a family?” she told INQUIRER.net at the sidelines of the pageant’s sponsors night held at the Manila Hotel on May 6.

The mothers in the pageant this year are Davao Region’s Johanna Puyod Yulo, Mariveles’ Elle Hollman, Pasig City’s Selena Antonio-Reyes, and Denise Nicole Yujuico from the Filipino community in Virginia in the United States.

Lee said, “Ako nga sa Sultan Kudarat lang ako pumunta parang (for me I just went to Sultan Kudarat and it felt like) a lifetime without my kids, what more for them, every day they have to travel, they have to go to shoots. The time spent with their loved ones medyo mas maiksi (is a little bit shorter).”

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Shamcey Supsup-Lee/SHAMCEY SUPSUP FACEBOOK PHOTO

She also addressed the “mom guilt” that the mothers may be feeling while in the competition. “I also feel like we’re showing our kids, ‘look at your mom, she’s fighting for her dream. She’s not stopping because she’s a mom to do what she wants in her life,’” Lee explained.

For Yulo, her participation is a celebration. “This Mother’s Day is special. I wasn’t given the chance before (to join). But now, it’s like a perfect time, it really is the perfect timing,” said the 39-year-old mother of two.

“It’s very special because my mom and my daughter, my youngest, will come here to watch the preliminary, hopefully, and the coronation night. This is very special, because I am not only celebrating Mother’s Day, I am also celebrating a beautiful life with my mom, and with other women like me who are mothers who really want to join Miss Universe,” she continued.

Reyes already had an advance celebration. “(My kids) gave me an early Mother’s Day gift, so binuksan ko na (I unwrapped it already), because I think we’re gonna be going to Palawan. So they gave me an early Mother’s Day gift, na-enjoy ko na siya (I already enjoyed it),” she shared.

The marathoner also told her fellow mothers to “keep doing you, keep improving yourself. Because it’s the best gift that you could give to yourself, and of course, a gift to your family and friends as well.”

Yujuico, a mother of one, said she found a new meaning to Mother’s Day. “When I stepped into this journey, it was really representation of all the women in my family who really shaped me as a woman, as well as my grandmother, my mother… it doesn’t matter if you’re a mom, you can be anything you wanna be, the universe is your limit,” she said.

For Hollman, her pageant journey is not hers alone. “It’s also for my kids. I actually want to teach them how to chase dreams. Because as you guys may know, this is not my first time joining a national pageant. And in terms of getting closer to the Universe Philippines crown, this is my third attempt. And this is not just my dream anymore, this is also a dream for my kids. And it’s very meaningful to me,” she said.

Miss Universe Philippines Head of Women Empowerment Lia Andrea Ramos also feted the mothers. “I know that the job is not easy. Just keep on fighting, and just love your kids no matter what. Just fight and it will be worth in the future,” she said.

The four mothers are among the 53 delegates competing in the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, that will culminate in a coronation show at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on May 22. The winner will be sent to the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico later this year.