From international stages to Manila’s bet, Justine Felizarta steps into Miss Universe Philippines 2026 competition carrying years of experience across local and global pageants.
Felizarta represents Manila in this year’s national pageant, marking another chapter in a long pageantry journey built through sustained competition rather than a single breakout appearance. Her return places her among candidates with both national exposure and international experience.
Felizarta first entered the national pageant scene in 2015, when she placed in the Top 15 of Binibining Pilipinas, one of the country’s most competitive pageant platforms. The finish established her presence in the pageant circuit early in her career.
Her experience expanded internationally in 2017 after competing in Miss Universe Canada, where she finished in the Top 10. The result placed her among finalists in a foreign pageant system and exposed her to a different competitive environment.
She returned to Philippine pageantry in 2021 as a Binibining Pilipinas candidate, maintaining visibility in national competitions. In 2022, she placed as 1st Princess at Miss World, followed later that year by another international podium finish as 1st Runner-Up at Miss Tourism World.
Outside traditional pageantry, Felizarta added a fitness and lifestyle title to her record in 2024 after winning Century Tuna Superbods, highlighting physical discipline and public appeal beyond standard pageant segments.
As Manila’s official representative, Felizarta enters Miss Universe Philippines 2026 among delegates from cities and provinces nationwide. Her campaign reflects repeated participation across multiple pageant systems, combining local credibility with international exposure.
The Miss Universe Philippines Organization will officially introduce its 2026 candidates on February 16 through a full-day program marking the formal start of the competition season. A public parade will be held at SM Mall of Asia at 3:00 p.m., followed by the official press presentation at City of Dreams at 5:00 p.m.
