MUPH alumna Natsumi Sekiguchi crowned Miss Philippine Expo in Japan

Another alumna of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant picked up a crown this weekend, Natsumi Sekiguchi who was proclaimed Miss Philippine Expo in Japan.

The Japanese-Filipino model from Cavite won the culminating pageant on June 7 that capped the three-day Filipino celebration which ran from June 5 at the Ueno Park in Tokyo.

Sekiguchi represented Bacoor at the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant that was won by Quezon Province’s Ahtisa Manalo, who eventually finished fourth at the 74th Miss Universe competition in Thailand last year.

“As someone who grew up between Filipino and Japanese cultures, receiving this title at a celebration of a Philippine-Japan friendship event makes this experience even more meaningful,” Sekiguchi posed on social media.

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Aside from winning the Miss Philippine Expo 2026 title, the Japanese-Caviteña beauty also received the People’s Choice award at the Tokyo pageant.

“Thank you to my family, team, friends, and everyone who supported me throughout this journey. I’ll be tagging those who have been part of this chapter because this achievement would not have been possible without you!” Sekiguchi said.

The Philippine Expo 2026 celebration also had “Showtime Online U” mainstay Wize Estabillo as host at the June 6 event of the three-day celebration.

Before Sekiguchi’s coronation in Tokyo, another Miss Universe Philippines alumna was recently crowned as 2026 Mutya ng Taguig, Angela Okol who represented Siargao at the 2021 national pageant. /edv