ALV Pageant Circle queens share winning tips with successors

MANILA, Philippines — The culmination of every pageant journey is the representation of a delegate on finals night. After it, the time to pause and reflect comes in, regardless of the placements. Filipina beauty queens, who have recently worn the country’s sash on the global arena, share insights about their experience competing. They are the ALV Pageant Circle queens, Sophia Bianca Santos, Jayvee Lyn Lorejo and Gabrielle Galapia, who did raise the Philippine flag in their respective international pageants.

Sophia was crowned Miss Elite 2026, while Jayvee and Gabrielle were named third runners-up at Miss Global and Miss Asia Pacific International.

“I think you really need to learn how to mentally prepare yourself,” said Gabrielle in a recent victory presscon. “Let’s say that you get home at 10 p.m. And then your call time the next day is like six… and then the next day, you have to prepare for two to three hours. And (in) two hours, you’re rushing already, right? So, it’s really such a mental thing. And it happens back to back to back.”

Aside from mental resilience, as one may put it, delegates have to be on their toes in attending training on pasarela (catwalk), hair and makeup and question and answer.

“So, the thing that you can do is train yourself to be well under pressure and be kind as well. Because there are some people who snap whenever they, like, get stressed. They tend to get mad easily. And I mean, we understand it,” said she.

She reiterated that future queens should train themselves to take on such a load or challenges, “and not to snap because of it. So, that would be my most valuable advice,” added she.

For Sophia, she gave importance to readiness.

“I agree with what Jiji (Gabrielle) said (about preparing) mentally because (the competition) is tough and there are so many challenges.”

“I needed to do my own makeup for the everyday activities,” recalled she of her stint at Miss Elite in Egypt. “Aside from the training, from the Q&A to pasarela, you need to be ready at all (times) kasi sobrang hirap po (since it’s really challenging), pero magiging successful in the end (but you’ll get by and succeed in the end).”

For her successor and the aspiring beauty queens, Jayvee had this to say: “I think my message to my successor and to those future girls who want to compete in the pageants is you have to have a team that will support you physically, mentally, emotionally, or, let’s say, spiritually ‘coz joining in a pageant is not really easy… it’s not like going to do treadmill. Para siyang Olympics (it can be compared to a sporting event).”

With such a comparison, Jayvee shared that preparation takes months or even years, and one should have a team that will support one in the very end. With that, it feels like one’s stress has been lifted, as one could glean from her answers.

As for her two cents on once the competition begins, she remembered what previous queens had told her about the importance of sleep in connection to recharging one’s batteries.

“As long as you can sleep, you sleep. And that’s what I did,” said she. “During the rehearsals, if I was not being called, I (would) sleep… and if you sleep, then you can maybe have your energy back (for) the finals or during the performance night, and that’s what I did. Drink vitamins… and just enjoy, and show your authentic and genuine side.”

After all, pageants are not just about beauty and poise but also about personality.

abtestabtest Janice de Belen surprised ‘Pridyider’ still scares Filipinos after 42 years By Jan Milo Severo | 7 hours ago Actress Janice de Belen admitted she never expected her role in the horror episode “Pridyider” to leave a lasting... Entertainment Patrick Stewart's last film is 'Avengers: Doomsday,' Marvel confirms By Kristofer Purnell | 1 day ago Sir Patrick Stewart will appear one last time in the upcoming blockbuster "Avengers: Doomsday" alongside other... Entertainment The Gutierrez Halloween magic: Showcasing Pinoy creativity, one costume at a time By MJ Marfori | 17 hours ago In an age when artificial intelligence can generate almost anything, Mond Gutierrez believes there is still something irreplaceable... Entertainment ALAMAT shares ‘legendary experience’ as a group By Charmie Joy Pagulong | 3 days ago P-pop group ALAMAT is poised to stage its major solo concert, “ALAMAT: The Legendary Experience,” on Nov. 8 at... Entertainment ‘Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw’ to open QCinema 2026 By Charmie Joy Pagulong | 17 hours ago The Filipino animated fantasy-horror film “Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw” will open this year’s... Entertainment Latest More in Entertainment 'Bongga' Zara Larsson brings summer heat to Manila, eyes stadium for next return How Filipino horror podcasts keep ghost stories alive Boy Abunda confirms he, Kris Aquino eye talk show return Remembering Patrick Stewart, star of 'X-Men,' 'Star Trek' franchises abtest This is Halloween: Horror films to catch in cinemas By Kristofer Purnell | 6 hours ago Filipinos love a good scare. Entertainment Vice Ganda breaks down comedy styles of 2nd 'LOL Philippines' season contestants By Kristofer Purnell | 7 hours ago The new batch of "Last One Laughing (LOL) Philippines" contestants is strong representation of what the... Entertainment Halloween events and more to end October, welcome November By Kristofer Purnell | 7 hours ago Halloween events will be ringing around the Philippines, plus some other fun activities on the side. Entertainment 'Play That Goes Wrong,' 'Heathers' Manila runs to have sign-language interpreted shows By Kristofer Purnell | 1 day ago The initiative is part of efforts to make productions more accessible through partnerships with members of the Deaf community... Entertainment ‘Los Salvajes Bravos’ revisits story of Filipinos exhibits at 1887 Spain expo By Jan Milo Severo | 1 day ago The story of Indigenous Filipinos who were displayed as "human exhibits" at the 1887 Philippine Exposition in Madrid,... Entertainment Recommended Stricter transport safety, security checks sought 17 hours ago Senate committee on public services chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo has urged agencies to ensure the safety of millions of people... EntertainmentLTO VP camp calls out new ‘tanim witness’ 17 hours ago The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday dismissed the claim of an alleged former driver of former House speaker... EntertainmentTRENDING Conflicted October 31, 2026 - 12:00am Members of the Senate sit as judges in the impeachment case involving the Vice President. EntertainmentTRENDING VP camp rejects new cash suitcase allegations as ‘tanim witness,’ ‘propaganda’ October 30, 2026 - 10:16am Vice President Sara Duterte’s lawyer dismissed claims of a purported driver that he twice delivered suitcases of money to the vice president. EntertainmentSARA DUTERTE Marcos attends Michelin Guide 2027 ceremony 2 days ago Marcos is the first sitting head of state in history to attend a Michelin Guide restaurant unveiling. EntertainmentBONGBONG MARCOSMICHELIN next Recommended Stricter transport safety, security checks sought Senate committee on public services chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo has urged agencies to ensure the safety of millions of people expected to travel to their provinces during the Undas holiday, calling for stricter inspections of public utility vehicles and tighter security at airports and seaports. 17 hours ago LTO VP camp calls out new ‘tanim witness’ The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday dismissed the claim of an alleged former driver of former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco, that he delivered suitcases of cash to her. 17 hours ago TRENDING Conflicted Members of the Senate sit as judges in the impeachment case involving the Vice President. 17 hours ago TRENDING VP camp rejects new cash suitcase allegations as ‘tanim witness,’ ‘propaganda’ Vice President Sara Duterte’s lawyer dismissed claims of a purported driver that he twice delivered suitcases of money to the vice president. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE Marcos attends Michelin Guide 2027 ceremony Marcos is the first sitting head of state in history to attend a Michelin Guide restaurant unveiling. 2 days ago BONGBONG MARCOS MICHELIN OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!