Med student who nearly skipped pageant crowned Miss Besao 2026
MEDICAL student Daphne Dangawen is crowned Miss Besao 2026, marking her victory after nearly deciding not to join the competition due to the demands of medical school and personal challenges.
Photograph courtesy of Diane Jyle Ballang
BESAO, Mountain Province — For medical student Daphne Dangawen, joining the Mr. and Miss Besao 2026 pageant was never part of the plan.
With the demanding schedule of medical school and personal challenges weighing on her, Dangawen admitted she nearly chose not to participate at all.
“Joining the pageant wasn’t something I actively planned, especially with how demanding med school is,” Dangawen told the DAILY TRIBUNE.
The idea, however, had been planted years earlier.
Back in 2018, Dangawen became the first titleholder of Miss Linggo ng Kabataan under the Sangguniang Kabataan. Through that experience, she learned about the Mr. and Miss Besao pageant and its role in selecting representatives to the Lang-ay Festival, the annual cultural celebration of Mountain Province.
“Since then, the idea of representing Besao on that stage stayed with me,” she recalled.
The opportunity was put on hold when the Covid-19 pandemic halted local pageants. The last Besao pageant was held in 2019 before activities were suspended for several years.
While pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of the Philippines Manila during that time, Dangawen focused on academics and set aside her dream of joining the competition.
Years later, while studying medicine at Saint Louis University, she saw the municipality’s announcement for the return of Mr. and Miss Besao in 2026.
“I was turning 24, which is the maximum age, so it felt like a now-or-never moment,” Dangawen said.
Still, joining the pageant was not easy.
“I had a lot of doubts because my schedule was already overwhelming, and my grandfather passed away just weeks before the pageant after being in the ICU. I wasn’t in the best mental or physical state, and there were moments when I considered backing out,” she said.
“But I decided to push through, even without perfect preparation. Looking back, I’m really glad I did. It reminded me that some opportunities are worth showing up for, even when the timing isn’t perfect.”
Her decision ultimately paid off as she was crowned Miss Besao 2026 during the pageant hosted by Bendahara Beau Macliing, widely known as “The Igorothost,” and attended by Mayor Bryne Bacwaden and Vice Mayor Elizabeth Buyagan.
DANGAWEN walks the stage during the swimwear competition of the Mr. and Miss Besao 2026 pageant, where she won the Best in Swimwear award.
Photograph courtesy of Diane Jyle Ballang
Dangawen also earned several special awards, including Miss Photogenic, Best in Tourism Video, Best in Swimwear, Best in Evening Gown and Most Eloquent.
