Valerie West, a 22-year-old newly certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) from New York, is making waves as she represents Ifugao in the prestigious Miss Universe Philippines pageant. Her journey, though seemingly rapid, is built on years of dedication and a passion for both service and pageantry.

Just weeks after being crowned Reina Filipina North America on 25 January, Valerie arrived in the Philippines, ready to compete for the coveted Miss Universe Philippines crown. While her arrival may seem sudden, she is no stranger to the pageant circuit.

Her pageant journey began in 2017 when she was named Miss York County’s Outstanding Teen, followed by a Top 5 placement in Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen. She continued to achieve success, culminating in a 1st Runner-Up finish in Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen in 2019.

The pandemic temporarily paused her pageant pursuits, during which she focused on earning her Biomedical Engineering degree at the University of Delaware. With aspirations of attending medical school, Valerie aims to specialize in pediatric cardiology.

Now, with her Reina Filipina North America title, she is back on the pageant stage, eager to represent her Ifugao heritage and the Filipino community in New York. "I'm excited to be representing my Ifugao roots and also the Philippine community in New York," she said upon her arrival.

Beyond her academic achievements, Valerie is a multi-talented individual skilled in singing, dancing, and competitive martial arts. Singing is a particular passion — she even writes original songs. At 17, she competed in the singing competition show The Clash and hopes to continue pursuing music.

Valerie credits her Filipino mother, who hails from Kiangan, Ifugao, as her inspiration for joining pageantry. "As a Filipino raised by a Filipino mom, of course, it's been instilled in me from a young age — a love for pageantry. As I got older, it wasn’t just about watching beautiful queens walk gracefully. They became role models in my life. They have both beauty and brains, and I tried to model that in my own life," she explained.

She believes pageantry is deeply embedded in Filipino culture. "I think it has to do with our values in the Philippines. When you see women empowering women and showcasing strong family values, it’s hard not to be inspired. Even in the U.S., the Philippines, or anywhere in the world, we remain Filipino at heart and carry those values wherever we go."

Valerie admires Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray for her advocacy for Filipino culture.

Her own advocacy focuses on the PUSO Foundation, which stands for "Purposeful Unconditional Service to Others" in underserved communities. "Through my partnership with PUSO, I spread the message of ‘paying it forward’ and advocate for the importance of service work, especially among younger individuals. Through small and large acts of kindness and community involvement, kindness multiplies, and lives can be changed globally. The message is simple, Give a little, change a lot!"

With her intelligence, talent, and passion for service, Valerie West is a formidable contender in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, poised to make a lasting impact.