Miss Baguio 2026 brought something refreshingly different to the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center this year. With a strong batch of candidates, a surprising Wild West twist, and a celebration of beauty, community, and Cordilleran talent, this year’s pageant had an energy of its own.
For the past four years that I’ve been covering Miss Baguio, this was the first time I saw the candidates make their entrance alongside the barangay captains of the communities they represented. They entered by pairs wearing their Western Steampunk-inspired production outfits, and the crowd went wild as each candidate was introduced. It immediately made the opening feel more connected to the barangays they proudly carried onstage.
And a cowboy theme for Miss Baguio? Definitely something I didn’t expect, but it worked!
What surprised me even more was the entertainment. Instead of the usual balladeers, K-pop-inspired acts, or P-pop performances we often see at pageants, Miss Baguio 2026 put the spotlight on our local country, folk, and Cordilleran singers.
Isko Mcgui-ing, Aladin Bag-Ayan, Roque Belino, and Rex Elinger provided the music throughout the evening. The candidates even performed an upbeat line dance that gave me a little Footloose moment! I especially loved seeing the singers return during the evening gown competition to serenade the ladies as they walked the stage.
The swimwear competition brought out another side of the candidates. It was confident, playful, and full of winning energy. Then came one of my favorite parts of any pageant, the evening gown competition, where we got to see their grace, poise, and sophistication.
An Intense Q&A
But I have to say, the Q&A was intense!
The questions were difficult, and some felt like a double-edged sword. They challenged the candidates to think on their feet while standing firm on their beliefs, advocacies, and the communities they represented.
And honestly, I was proud of these ladies.
Not every question had an easy or obvious answer, but seeing the candidates navigate them under pressure made me appreciate this batch even more. This was a strong batch of women, and the Q&A showed that beyond their presence onstage, they had convictions and causes they were willing to stand for.
At the end of the night, Daniella Moustafa of South Sanitary Camp was crowned Miss Baguio 2026, also taking home several awards throughout the competition.
MISS BAGUIO 2026 COURT
👑 Miss Baguio 2026: #6 Daniella Moustafa, South Sanitary Camp
✨ Miss Baguio Turismo: #15 Charlotte Gosioco, Military Cut-off
🌿 Miss Baguio Kalikasan: #12 Zeira Tamayo, East Bayan Park
🎨 Miss Malikhain: #4 Patris Balajadia, Lower Lourdes Subdivision
🏛️ Miss Kultura: #1 Camille Cano, Sto. Tomas Proper
🥈 1st Runner-Up: #16 Katrina Sandhu, San Vicente
🥉 2nd Runner-Up: #13 Xyla Magno, Asin Road
MINOR AWARDS
✨ Miss Social Graces: #15 Charlotte Gosioco, Military Cut-off
📰 Darling of the Press: #1 Camille Cano, Sto. Tomas Proper
📸 Media Favorite Award: #14 Frances Licayo, Pinget
⚙️ Best in Production Wear – Western Steampunk: #15 Charlotte Gosioco, Military Cut-off
📷 Miss Photogenic: #4 Patris Balajadia, Lower Lourdes Subdivision
👙 Best in Swimwear: #6 Daniella Moustafa, South Sanitary Camp
SPECIAL AWARDS
💄 Face of Beauty Society: #6 Daniella Moustafa, South Sanitary Camp
✨ Miss Beauty Project: #13 Xyla Magno, Asin Road
🌏 Miss Terraland: #6 Daniella Moustafa, South Sanitary Camp
🎥 Miss Community Reel: #9 Shanaya Turco, Gibraltar
👗 Best in Evening Gown: #6 Daniella Moustafa, South Sanitary Camp
Beyond finding the next Miss Baguio, what I appreciated about this year’s pageant was how much of Baguio and the Cordilleras found its way onto the stage. From the barangay captains joining the candidates during their entrance to our local country and folk artists taking the spotlight, the evening felt rooted in the community.
After four years of covering Miss Baguio, I can say that this batch really stood out to me. Honestly, this batch was strong!
Congratulations to Daniella Moustafa and the entire Miss Baguio 2026 court, but also, congratulations to each woman of Baguio who represented her respective community. Stepping onto that stage, speaking about what you believe in, and carrying your barangay with you is already something worth celebrating.
Congratulations, ladies! Baguio is proud of you. ✨
