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The past few weeks have definitely been eventful for pageant watchers and aficionados as announcement after announcement has made this year's Miss Universe Philippines pageant unpredictable.

The latest announcement to hit the news is the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines second runner-up Yllana Aduana announcing that she will not be competing in this year's Miss Universe Philippines pageant. In a post on her Facebook account, Yllana explained that she wanted to “pursue other big and substantial things” outside of pageantry. As much as she “craves” being on the stage and performing, “the heart wants what it wants.”

She said that the letter was also to show her appreciation to her supporters, and expressed her hope that her fans would still support her outside of pageantry. She also shared that she is excited to cheer on the delegates of the 2026 Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

RELATED CONTENT: Check out the controversial events in this year's pageant scene

While Yllana has announced her non-participation in this year's pageant with little drama, Miss Universe Philippines Benguet 2026 Cristeta Longey announced her resignation combined with allegations against the Miss Universe Philippines Benguet organization on her Instagram account.

According to Cristeta, the organization informed her last month that it would be unable to financially support her Miss Universe Philippines journey, only for her to find out that the organization was allegedly preparing another representative for the pageant without informing her, after she had invested “time, personal resources, and emotional energy” into preparing for the Miss Universe pageant.

Cristeta also alleged that the organization accused her of “utter disloyalty” for speaking up about issues within the organization involving cash prizes. According to Cristeta, the cash prizes for the Miss Universe Philippines Benguet pageant winners still haven't been released, with the organization only planning to do so by February 15 this year. Cristeta says she and her fellow winners were crowned in October last year.

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Meanwhile, the Kapuso Network's own Roxie Smith was already announced as this year's Miss Universe Philippines Baguio at a crowning and sashing ceremony at The Proscenium in Rockwell, Makati, Roxie called the opportunity “a dream always planted” in her heart that she is now happy to pursue.

RELATED CONTENT: Roxie Smith crowned and sashed as Miss Universe Baguio at press event

The list of delegates for this year's Miss Universe Philippines pageant will be announced at today's press presentation at the City of Dreams Manila.

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