Newly crowned Miss Elite 2024 Juvyel Anne Saluta. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
Juvyel Anne Saluta, a teenager from Manila, has made history for the Philippines when she posted the country’s first win in the Miss Elite pageant in Egypt on Sept. 13 (Sept. 14 in Manila), besting 41 other aspirants for the crown.
The 19-year-old college student received her 2024 Miss Elite crown at the culmination of ceremonies held in Somabay, a resort town located by the Red Sea in Egypt. She succeeded last year’s winner, Mejreme Hajdaraj from Kosovo.
Before Saluta’s triumphant quest for the elusive Miss Elite crown, the Philippines’ highest placement was the first runner-up finish posted by Shanon Tampon in the international pageant’s second edition held in 2022.
Last year, 2021 Miss Universe Philippines finalist Chella Falconer was appointed to represent the Philippines in the 2023 Miss Elite pageant, but she withdrew her participation from the international competition.
READ: Pageant veterans join Hiyas ng Pilipinas 2024
Saluta was appointed as Miss Elite Philippines in July after the Hiyas ng Pilipinas Foundation Inc. acquired the license for the international competition. She was crowned Hiyas ng Pilipinas-Continental World last year, but her supposed international competition still has not announced a competition this year, and the national organization was pressed for time to choose a delegate.
Even at just 18 years old when she joined Hiyas ng Pilipinas last year, she was already a seasoned contestant, having participated in the 2021 Miss Bikini Philippines and 2022 Miss FIT (Face, Intelligence, Tone) Philippines pageants. She also took part in the revival edition of the Miss Manila pageant.
Her expansive pageant experience in the Philippines helped prepare Saluta for Miss Elite, even if she had only a little over a month between her appointment as Miss Elite Philippines and the actual competition.
Saluta’s court as 2024 Miss Elite is composed of first runner-up Victoria Maneiro from Venezuela, second runner-up Irene Grande from Spain, third runner-up Sofia Gonzales from Mexico, and fourth runner-up Tawana Sheldrick from Indonesia.
The Filipino queen will relinquish her national crown to her successor at the 2024 Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant which will be held next month. “Wil to Win” host “Inday” Fatima Bisan will also crown her successor in the competition. She will, however, still compete in the Miss Tourism World pageant later this year.