In the Philippines, beauty pageants are more than just a spectacle—they are a cultural institution. From local community pageants to national stages, pageantry holds a special place in the hearts of many Filipinas. Miss World Philippines, in particular, is not only a celebration of beauty but a powerful platform for young women to champion causes that matter.
As global conversations around women’s health and reproductive rights grow louder, it’s becoming increasingly clear how pageant stages can be used to amplify these critical issues. In recent years, candidates have brought attention to healthcare, education, and gender equality—proving that pageants can be meaningful arenas for social change.
The Advocacy Focus of Miss World Philippines
At the core of Miss World Philippines is its official theme: Beauty with a Purpose. This initiative encourages candidates to go beyond traditional pageantry and engage with advocacy work that contributes meaningfully to their communities. Contestants are required to select and promote a cause they believe in—transforming the pageant into a platform for social change.
The range of advocacies showcased by candidates is both broad and impactful. Many focus on:
- Education: Promoting access to schooling, literacy, and opportunities for marginalized youth.
- Healthcare Access: Advocating for improved healthcare infrastructure, especially in underserved areas.
- Women’s Empowerment: Uplifting women through skill-building, economic opportunities, and support systems.
- Community Development: Supporting environmental sustainability, livelihood programs, and grassroots outreach.
These causes often overlap, painting a picture of holistic social development. Notably, many candidates emphasize that healthcare access and education are crucial pillars of women’s empowerment. As such, reproductive health has become a natural extension of these conversations—especially when framed through the lens of informed choice and access to essential services.
Did Miss World Philippines Discuss Reproductive Rights?
In the Philippines, abortion remains a deeply sensitive topic due to cultural, legal, and religious factors. While it is rare to hear the word “abortion” mentioned explicitly on pageant stages, discussions around reproductive rights often surface in subtler, yet meaningful, ways.
Candidates have increasingly brought attention to:
- Access to reproductive health services: Promoting the availability of OB-GYN care, maternal support, and sexual health education. For example, Gabrielle Lantzer, a candidate from Miss World Philippines 2024, is passionate about becoming an OB-GYN after witnessing the struggles of women in her family with infertility. She aims to provide better access to reproductive health care, particularly for women facing fertility challenges.
- Family planning education: Raising awareness about contraception and the importance of informed decision-making in relationships and parenting. For example, Miss World Philippines Charity 2022, Cassandra Chan, has helped organize parenting workshops, medical missions, and educational seminars to promote better family planning and informed choices.
- Women’s health and informed choice: Highlighting the right of every woman to understand her body, her cycle, and her options. During the Miss World Philippines 2024 Women Empowerment Talk, DSWD Usec. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar shared empowering insights, igniting a passion for growth, resilience, and positive change among women. In the Q&A segment, newly crowned Miss World Philippines 2024 Krishnah Marie Gravidez emphasized that “pageantry is a platform where we express ourselves as women”—a powerful reminder that beauty contests can also be vehicles for advocacy, self-expression, and women’s empowerment.
In many ways, these discussions open the door to broader conversations about autonomy and support.
Candidates Who Spoke About Reproductive Health or Abortion
Miss World Philippines is no longer just a mirror of tradition—it has become a platform where candidates speak out on issues that matter deeply to Filipinas. While direct references to abortion remain rare, many contestants have used their voice to advocate for related concerns like reproductive health, maternal care, and family planning—topics that carry significant weight in a country where access to such services is limited.
One standout is Tracy Maureen Perez, Miss World Philippines 2021, who has openly championed the rights of single mothers. She has spoken about the need to equip them with skills, opportunities, and emotional support to thrive in the workplace and beyond. Tracy was invited by the Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Service Office (PSA RSSO) MIMAROPA to share her insights on women in the workforce, drawing from her own story of resilience and empowerment.
Meanwhile, while no candidate directly mentioned abortion, several highlighted the importance of reproductive health and healthcare access for women.
From advocating for maternal support systems to sharing stories that reflect the challenges many Filipinas face, these statements show that pageant stages are gradually becoming more inclusive of meaningful, health-centered conversations. These efforts may be subtle, but they reflect a collective push to recognize women’s health as a fundamental right.
These advocacies—rooted in empathy, lived experience, and a desire to create change—may not always use the word “abortion,” but they show a growing awareness that access, autonomy, and information are essential to women’s health and dignity.
It’s also important to affirm that abortion is not a bad word—and it’s not a bad thing to talk about. For too long, silence and stigma have surrounded the topic, making it harder for people to access the care they need. But abortion is a safe and valid part of reproductive healthcare. Talking about it openly and honestly helps normalize the conversation, reduce shame, and ensure that everyone can make informed choices with confidence and support.
Miss World Philippines, in this light, becomes more than just a competition—it becomes a quiet but effective agent of cultural change, helping open up space for conversations that were once considered too controversial, not only in the Philippines but globally.
Beauty, Purpose, and Power
Miss World Philippines stands as a testament to the evolving role of Filipina women in shaping societal progress. Beyond the dazzling gowns and crowns, these candidates are amplifying critical conversations on education, healthcare access, and women’s empowerment.
Platforms like Miss World Philippines and safe2choose share a common goal: giving women the information, space, and support they need to make empowered decisions. By uplifting stories, offering education, and advocating for access, they both contribute to a world where beauty truly has a purpose.
Want to learn more about reproductive health and your options? Visit safe2choose.org for expert-backed, stigma-free guidance tailored to your needs.