(From left) Arnold Vegafria and Krishnah Gravidez. Image: Instagram/@msworldphil
Arnold Vegafria said he has a “strong feeling” that Krishnah Gravidez has a great chance of bringing home the second Miss World crown for the Philippines, adding that he is eyeing the global tilt to be held in the country soon.
At a forum on Monday, April 28, Vegafria was asked about Gravidez’s preparations since the Miss World 2025 pageant will be happening soon, and he said he is “expecting another victory” at the global pageant.
“This time, we’re expecting another honor and another victory for Miss World. I have a strong feeling that we will get a second crown for Miss World,” he said.
The pageant director also shared that he received an offer to host Miss World in the Philippines; however, he countered that it has been so long since the country brought home the title. Megan Young remains the lone Filipina to win Miss World in 2013.
“Never pa dito [naganap ang Miss World]. Sinabi ko sa mismong owner ng Miss World na si Julia Morley, after Megan Young, hindi pa tayo nagkaroon,” he said.
“Matagal na nila akong cino-convince mag-stage dito ng Miss World kaya lang hindi pa nananalo ang Pilipinas ulit. Ang tagal-tagal na. Marami na akong pinadala na deserving pero siyempre, hindi tayo pinapalad,” he further explained.
(The Miss World pageant has never been held here. I told the Miss World owner, Julia Morley, that the Philippines had never won Miss World since Megan Young. They have been convincing me to stage the Miss World pageant, but the Philippines hasn’t won a title. It’s been a long time since then. I have sent deserving candidates, but of course, we haven’t been lucky.)
Vegafria, who is running for Mayor of Olongapo City, is nonetheless hopeful that Gravidez has a fighting chance in the upcoming global tilt.
“Pero this time, ito sigurong kandidata natin ay malaki ang chance. Kapag ito manalo [and] ako maging Mayor, edi siyempre, dadalhin ko ang Miss World sa Olongapo at Maynila.”
(But this time, I feel like our candidate has a big chance. If she wins and I become Mayor, I will bring the Miss World pageant to Olongapo and Manila.)
The Miss World 2025 pageant, its 72nd edition, is scheduled on May 31 (June 1 in the Philippines), in India.
New ‘Queenmaker?’
Since last year, the Vegafria-owned ALV Pageant Circle is on a winning streak following the strong performances of its queens.
Dia Mate, Isabelle Bilasano, and Maria Gigante were crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2025, Face of Beauty International 2024, and Universal Woman 2024, respectively. Meanwhile, CJ Opiaza was named first runner-up at the Miss Grand International 2024 tilt.
This led to some pageant fans to call him the “new queenmaker” on social media. But Vegafria is reluctant to accept the title, saying the ladies’ victory was due to their own efforts at bringing honor to the country.
“I wouldn’t say na queenmaker ako kasi effort din naman ng mga queens ‘yun (it’s the queens’ effort). It’s a group effort,” he said in response to INQUIRER.net’s question about the moniker.
Despite this, he said the “flattering” recognition is an inspiration to help beauty queens evolve into the best version of themselves when it comes to representing the Philippines. “Nakakaflatter dahil siyempre, ikaw ang nag-groom, ikaw ang tumutulong, ikaw ang nagbibigay ng opportunities sa mga dreams nila to become an international beauty queen and to give honor to the country.”
“It’s an honor to be tagged as a ‘queenmaker,’” he continued. “I’m happy and I’m so flattered na tawagin kang queenmaker, and ito ay inspiration para mag-mold ng bagong queens na mairerepresent ang ating country.”
(It’s flattering because, of course, you are the one who is grooming and helping them. You are also giving them opportunities for their dreams as an international beauty queen to flourish, while bringing honor to the country. It’s an honor to be tagged as a “queenmaker.” I’m happy, and I’m so flattered to be known as the queenmaker. This is an inspiration to mold a new set of queens to represent the country.)
Vegafria also noted that the ALV Pageant Circle’s recent success has to do with his “mastery” of the requirements of the international pageants.
“Alam ko na ang formula ng kanilang hinahanap. Every organization has their own formula and they have their own requirements. This time, alam ko na ilalaban at ano ang irerepresent ng Pilipinas sa bawat international pageants,” he said.
(I know the formula of what they’re looking for. Every organization has its own formula, and they have its own requirements. This time, I know who should represent the Philippines in an international pageant.)