Joy Barcoma to crown Miss Philippines Earth successor in Malitbog

Joy Barcoma will mark the end of her reign down south in Mindanao as she is set to crown her successor as Miss Philippines Earth in Malitbog, Bukidnon, on June 27.

The 26th edition of the national search is already underway, with 33 delegates representing different towns, cities and provinces across the country, as well as overseas Filipino communities.

The competition will crown the Philippines’ representative in the 2026 Miss Earth pageant later this year, who will try to post the country’s fifth victory in the international tilt.

Barcoma landed a Top 8 placement in last year’s international competition held in Manila, with the crown going to Natalie Puskinova from the Czech Republic.

The Miss Philippines Earth and the Miss Earth pageants were founded to serve as platforms for environmental awareness. The delegates and the winners are dubbed “beauties for a cause” and are expected to spearhead projects that promote sustainability and help save the planet.

This will not be the first time for Malitbog to host the national pageant. In 2024, the Bukidnon town was the venue for the swimsuit competition show. The coronation show was held in the neighboring town of Talakag that year.

Before that, the Miss Philippines Earth pageant had already conducted its final competition outside Manila. The coronation show was held in Toledo City in Cebu in 2023, in Coron, Palawan, in 2022, and in Puerto Princesa City in 2011. /ra