Daily TribuneThis latest visit to the Philippines — her fourth — was also deeply personal. Before heading to the competition, she made time to visit Ifugao and reconnect with relatives she rarely sees
WEST says: ‘It was momentous to be this close to my heritage and I am always going to be grateful for my people.’
PHOTOGRAPHs COURTESY OF IG/ Valerie West
Miss Ifugao Valerie West
WEST immersing in her culture, where every tradition tells a story and every moment is a celebration of who she truly is.
Fresh from the swimsuit competition at the ongoing Miss Universe Philippines pageant, Valerie West — representing the scenic province of Ifugao — took a moment to reflect on her journey with members of the media in an intimate interview set against the sun-kissed shores of Boracay.
It’s her first time on the island, and despite the pressure of competition, Valerie glowed with gratitude.
“It’s beautiful here,” she shared. “This has been a short stay, but I’m enjoying every moment — even if we’re under pageant pressure. Sabi nga ng organizers, we are a cool batch — but we’re all silent killers who want the crown!”
Indeed, behind her calm demeanor is a powerhouse of ambition and substance.
Valerie, a 22-year-old newly-certified Emergency medical technician from New York, only recently arrived in the Philippines after winning Reina Filipina North America in January. Within weeks, she was back in her ancestral land, this time vying for one of the most coveted titles in Philippine pageantry.
While her presence on the national stage might feel like a whirlwind, her roots in pageantry run deep. From being Miss York County’s Outstanding Teen in 2017 to finishing 1st Runner-Up in Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen in 2019, Valerie has worn many crowns. When the pandemic struck, she took a pause to pursue her degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Delaware — with dreams of becoming a pediatric cardiologist.
This latest visit to the Philippines — her fourth — was also deeply personal. Before heading to the competition, she made time to visit Ifugao and reconnect with relatives she rarely sees.
“It meant a lot to bond with my family and experience our culture firsthand. It reminded me why I’m doing this — to honor my heritage.”
Although born and raised in the U.S., Valerie has made it a point to immerse herself in Filipino traditions. One challenge she’s embraced? Learning Tagalog.
“We’re very good at English back home. A lot of us learn through music, so I’m doing the same in reverse. I listen to Original Pilipino Music all the time to practice,” she said with a smile.
A multifaceted talent, Valerie sings, dances and has competed in martial arts. At 17, she even joined The Clash, a popular Filipino singing competition. With stars in her eyes, she candidly shared her admiration for Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, saying, “I always watch their movies. Yes, I’m open to any career here in the Philippines after the pageant. I’m passionate about singing and acting.”
Her biggest inspiration? None other than Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
“I look up to her mindset—the way she sees things and how she prepares. She doesn’t just aim for the crown; she sets purpose-driven goals.”
And like her idol, Valerie carries a cause close to her heart. As an ambassador for the PUSO Foundation (Purposeful Unconditional Service to Others), she’s passionate about outreach and community service.
“Through PUSO, I promote paying it forward. Even small acts of kindness can change lives. That’s something I believe deeply, especially for young people. Give a little, change a lot.”
Whether it’s in the emergency room, the pageant stage, or community work, Valerie West is redefining what it means to be a modern beauty queen — intelligent, compassionate and proudly rooted in Filipino culture.
