What’s in store for Philippine pageantry in the Year of the Fire Horse

February 16 ------ The Philippines asserted its dominance in international pageantry last year with multiple titles and placements, and the country may look to have another prolific run this 2026. Based on the Lunar Calendar, the new cycle will begin on Feb. 17, the start of the “Year of the Fire Horse,” according to ancient Chinese practice. And renowned Filipino geomancer Marites Allen said Filipinos will continue reaping recognition in global tilts.

In her forecast for 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake, Allen warned of opposing fates for Filipino contenders depending on their animal sign. She was spot on when she cited as “superstars” those who were born in the Year of the Horse, like Dia Mate, who eventually snagged the Reina Hispanoamericana title in Bolivia. She also mentioned that those born in the Year of the Snake were among the “lucky” ones. Alexie Mae Brooks falls into that animal sign, and she picked up the Miss Eco International crown from her competition in Egypt.

Among those Allen said were more likely to face challenges were people born in the Year of the Goat, which included Sophia Bianca Santos, who had to give up her Universal Woman Philippines title to her fellow Miss World Philippines Princess Jasmine Omay for not meeting the minimum age requirement of the international competition. She was later appointed as Miss Elite Philippines, but the organizers of the Miss Elite pageant did not hold any competition last year. Santos’ foray on the international stage remains in limbo, and the national organization no longer mentions her erstwhile national title.

For the Year of the Fire Horse, Allen said, “In the Philippine chart, it’s already innate. It’s already built in, in the voices of the people, the beautiful, artistic, talented men and women of the Philippines; it’s already in our stars. It’s in our destiny,” She said Filipinos should expect “beautiful news” from the flagbearers in the international arena. “It could also be the time for the government, or the right organization, to support causes like this, not only in the world of pageantry but maybe in sports as well,” she added. But it does not mean that Filipino contenders can take it easy. “The key is you have to prepare. Do not lie low. Don’t put your guard down. You have to really secure it,” Allen said. “And don’t be trusting too much. You know the Filipinos are known to be hospitable, so amiable. So put some confidentiality in what you have to do,” she continued.

Allen said almost all of the animal signs bring a certain level of luck with them. “Those who are born on the 12 animal signs like the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar, have a very, very good chance, apart from Rat and Horse, who have to be very careful,” she shared. She advised the Rat- and Horse-born people: “Act fast. They have to be prepared, be ready, and practice properly. Be ready for whatever comes their way. And have the usual confidence that we all Filipinos have. Have faith.”

Currently, the Philippines already has a handful of representatives to 2026 competitions. Francesca Beatriz Mclelland is already in Bolivia competing in the Reina Hispanoamericana pageant that will culminate in the “Gran Final” on Feb. 21 (22 in Manila). She was born in 2002, another Year of the Horse.

Gabriella Carballo and Katrina Llegado, who received their international pageant assignments as early as May last year at the Miss Universe Philippines competition, were born in the Years of the Rabbit and Ox, respectively. Carballo, a medical doctor from Cebu, hopes to inherit the Miss Eco International crown from Brooks and post a second consecutive win for the Philippines in the global tilt in Egypt in May.

Llegado, who was a runner-up in the 2019 Reina Hispanoamericana pageant, hopes to post the Philippines’ second Miss Supranational victory later this year. Another lady-in-waiting is Katrina Anne Johnson, who was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International in June last year. Born in the Year of the Tiger, she is set to compete in the 64th Miss International pageant later this year.

Source: inquirer.net