Misamis Occidental Vice Governor Rowena Gutierrez, Board Member Donna Iyog, Provincial Tourism Officer Lorellai Yee, and Board Member Henjie Estano attend the partnership launch of Miss Universe Philippines 2026

MANILA — Misamis Occidental has been named an official partner local government unit (LGU) of Miss Universe Philippines 2026 (MUPH 2026), positioning the province as a host of key preliminary activities of the national pageant.

The partnership was formally announced on February 16 during the press presentation of the pageant’s 51 candidates held at City of Dreams Manila.

The event was attended by Vice Governor Rowena Gutierrez, Board Members Donna Iyog and Henjie Estano, and Provincial Tourism Officer Lorellai Yee.

During the event, Voltaire Tayag, executive vice president of the MUPH, led the partnership reveal and shared details of the planned collaboration with the province.

Tayag also emphasized that with the new host, a new point system will also be used for the competition. “We are bringing the pageant closer to Filipinos by allowing them to have a say in every stage of the pageant,” Tayag expressed.

With the new system, fans may vote for their preferred candidates through the Maya application during the preliminary round. The Top 10 candidates based on online voting will be revealed in Misamis Occidental, while the remaining finalists will be announced during the coronation night in Manila.

Under the partnership, Misamis Occidental is also set to host selected preliminary activities, including official photoshoots and video features highlighting the province’s tourism destinations.

Preparations are underway in the province for the scheduled activities as Miss Universe Philippines 2026 continues its pre-pageant events.