Around GMA

Article Inside Page

The cast of GMA Pictures' upcoming film Red Crown reacted to the viral P25-million Queen of the Islands cash prize that caught the attention of pageant fans on social media.

The Red Crown cast were featured in a recent episode of All-Out Sundays.

"Queen of the Islands" refers to the central promotional campaign and fictional beauty pageant for Red Crown, a satirical comedy-thriller about 25 candidates competing for the crown and the P25-million prize. The film is by GMA Pictures and opens in cinemas nationwide on October 28, 2026.

Before the truth came out, "Queen of the Islands Philippines 2026" was heavily hyped on social media as a real, star-studded national beauty competition.

The supposed competition made waves online after its promotional campaign featured candidate posters, pasarela videos, and other materials that led many people to believe it was a real beauty pageant.

GMA Pictures later revealed that Queen of the Islands was part of the promotional campaign for Red Crown.

The viral contest turned out to be an elaborate marketing campaign and plot centerpiece for the movie Red Crown. The promotional roster featured prominent beauty queens and celebrities: including Michelle Dee, Ahtisa Manalo, MJ Lastimosa, Gazini Ganados, Sanya Lopez, and Shuvee Etrata, who played along with the viral build-up.

In a segment aired on All-Out Sundays on October 25, the cast members shared their reactions to the much-talked-about prize offered by the fictional Queen of the Islands pageant.

Julie Anne Anne San Jose told the Red Crown cast, "Ang dami niyong napaniwala na sasali kayo sa parang super pageant na may 25M cash prize."

"Ang masasabi ko lang, iba ang nagagawa ng pera. Lahat ng mga very establish queens natin ay napasali sa Queen of the Islands, katulad na lang ni Michelle Dee, Bianca Manalo, Ariella Arida, at tsaka si MJ Lastimosa. So, iba talaga. Kami rin na-shock kami," Faith Da Silva said.

"Pero dahil doon, naramdaman namin ang suporta ng lahat ng mga Kapuso natin sa ating mga Kapuso artists at sa iba nating kasama sa Red Crown," Ashley Ortega said.

"Alam mo, excited talaga ako sa national costume namin kasi pinaghandaan namin, maliban sa mga evening gowns and swimsuits. Nag-put talaga kami ng effort para mag-enjoy 'yung mga audience sa movie." Ashley Ortega added.

Directed by Dominic Zapata and written by Kit Villanueva and Ken de Leon, the film explores the rivalries and drama behind the glamorous world of beauty pageants.

RELATED CONTENT: Meet the queens of 'Red Crown'