DEI programs important for US East Coast’s Miss Universe Philippines 2025 bets
Reina Filipina North America Valerie West (center) with her runners-up Pauline Del Mundo (right) and Amanda Russo. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
The top three finishers of the first-ever Reina Filipina North America pageant — who are also among the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 bets — have expressed their support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in places of employment and education in the United States.
The Filipino-American women from the US East Coast shared this with INQUIRER.net when they met journalists and online content creators on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 13.
Reina Filipina North America Valerie West and her runners-up Pauline Del Mundo and Amanda Russo flew to Manila to take part in the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant.
“Growing up with my background being both Filipino and American, I think diversity is important more than ever, because we have a new perspective, something different to share. And it’s important that our stories are shared along the way, and experienced across the universe,” the New York-based part-Igorota West told INQUIRER.net in an interview.
Reinstalled US Pres. Donald Trump has signed an executive order on his first day of office dismantling DEI programs from all aspects of the federal government.
For Del Mundo, DEI programs are “very, very important,” especially being one of the only few Asians in her company. “I think it gives us more opportunity to be seen, to be heard, to be able to bring in more Filipino talent, and to be able to work with more people with diverse backgrounds,” she said.
“I think it is very important and should not be taken away from us,” added the Philippine-born social media and content strategist from New Jersey, who traces her roots in Lilliw, Laguna.
Russo, a full-time student from Pennsylvania, said DEI programs are “extremely crucial” to the US. “Not only do they support all of the hard-working Filipinos, allowing us to have jobs, but it also supports every person of color, every person of a different background, and allows us to have those diversities and different perspectives, which can make us more efficient in the future,” she said.
The three ladies are among the more than 70 ladies from across the country and overseas Filipino communities vying to inherit the Miss Universe Philippines title from reigning queen Chelsea Manalo, the first-ever Miss Universe Asia titleholder.
