The quaint town of Candelaria witnessed the crowning of two queens who will represent the province of Quezon at two prestigious national pageants. The coronation night was held on 3 May at Ongville Hotel and Events Place and was directed by Nathan de Leon. The pageant hosts were Universal Woman Philippines 2025 Jasmine Omay and Normandy Ethan Laureta. CJ Opiaza, Miss Grand International first runner-up, was in attendance.

Candidate Number 9, Charlene Jay Bailey of Pagbilao, was declared Miss World Philippines Quezon Province 2025 while Candidate Number 4, Dawn Salas of Candelaria, was named Miss Grand Philippines Quezon Province 2025. The First Princess is Candidate Number 7, Marielle Mejico of Candelaria, while the Second Princess is Candidate Number 5, Nicole Mondogaw Neo of Tiaong.

The other finalists were Candidate Number 1 Jeaneth Joy Mercado, Candidate Number 2 Hannah Eugene Claura, Candidate Number 3 Joshly Andrea Briz, Candidate Number 6 Kim Angela Ortega, and Candidate Number 8 Aisatou P. Ganess.

Winning answers

The winners of Miss World Philippines Quezon Province and Miss Grand Philippines Quezon Province hold important roles as ambassadors of beauty, purpose, and advocacy within their community.

“The Miss World Philippines Quezon Province titleholder is expected to embody the pageant’s core principle of ‘Beauty with a Purpose.’ This includes promoting meaningful advocacies such as education, health, environmental sustainability, and community development. She is tasked with engaging in local outreach programs, collaborating with non-government organizations, participating in speaking engagements, and using media platforms to spread awareness about social issues. Her role also includes representing Quezon Province in national-level events and serving as a role model who inspires positive change,” explained Rose Tolentino Santiago, entrepreneur, beauty queen and philanthropist who hold the franchise for both titles.

“On the other hand, the Miss Grand Philippines Quezon Province winner focuses on peace promotion and anti-violence advocacy, in line with the Miss Grand International organization’s goals. Her responsibilities involve championing campaigns that involve humanitarian issues especially in areas of conflict,” said the woman known in the charity circuit as Pink Rose.

Representing the ideals of “Beauty with a Purpose” and “Stop the War and Violence,” they serve as powerful voices for peace, progress, and social responsibility. Their intelligence, authenticity and strong sense of identity allow them to connect with others on a deeper level, making them ideal ambassadors of Quezon Province. More than just titleholders, they are role models — empowered women who are ready to represent their province with pride, compassion, and unwavering dedication on the national stage.

Before she snared the Miss Grand Philippines Quezon Province title, Salas, 20, was asked, “How will you define success as a beauty queen in today’s society?”

She replied: “Standing here at this very stage is already a success to me. Because it’s an opportunity for me to share to the society my purpose. To all who don’t know, I have a brother who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. And growing up with him, I have witnessed the pain and the struggles, and most especially the discrimination that he has faced from other people.