Environment protection and sustainable development ranked highly among the initiatives championed by several Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) 2025 candidates.
At the two-day BingoPlus Media Day held from Mar. 13-14 at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Quezon City, candidates expressed their support for the pageant’s effort to reach out to communities in a bid to spread green initiatives that benefit society as a whole.
Yllana Marie Aduana, representing Siniloan Laguna, batted for environmental education, stressing that saving the environment requires collective action from policy makers, private organizations, and advocates.
No stranger to the pageant scene, Aduana had been crowned Miss Earth-Air in 2023 and gamely took her environment advocacy to New York City—site of the 4th United Nations (UN) Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“We can sit in a conference room, talking about strategies and solutions to different problems in our individual singular countries, but without the help of public and private institutions such as BingoPlus to fund our projects, and without the help of the community and the people to take part in the cause of the mission, or without the help of effective ambassadors and spokesperson to cascade all of those information to the general public, then all efforts in that conference room would go to waste,” Aduana said.
As a beauty queen and spokesperson, she expressed gratitude for being part of MUPH, “where candidates are supported by an organization that shares their passion for meaningful change.”
“I am ultimately grateful that I am a part of the MUPH roster now, and that we are partnered with a brand that shares just the same vision and mission and burning passion to advocate for the causes that are truly beneficial to the country,” Aduana added.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Rani Lachmi Dado, representing Albay, is advocating for green architecture and renewable energy—a cause that blends her expertise as a junior architect, painter, and former journalist.
Recognizing the high cost of electricity as a major concern in Albay, Dado, alongside her best friend—an electrical engineer and fellow pageant contender—organized the Albay Investment and Renewable Energy Summit.
The event gathered various stakeholders, including representatives from embassies, to explore investment opportunities in renewable energy for Albay.
As part of their initiative, they conducted a comprehensive assessment of different municipalities and cities in Albay to determine the most suitable renewable energy sources for each area.
Coastal communities were identified as ideal locations for solar and hydro energy, while higher-elevation areas were deemed suitable for wind and solar power.
The study, Dado said, led to the development of a roadmap outlining the most effective renewable energy solutions for each locality.
“We had to create a different approach—one that focused on renewable energy. That became our cause, our legacy, and our story,” she said.
Now, as she continues to champion this advocacy on a national platform, Dado hopes to gain support from organizations like BingoPlus.
“With the right partners, shared objectives, and a collective vision, I believe this initiative can create a significant, selfless impact. I hope BingoPlus sees this as an opportunity to contribute to something that truly benefits the people,” she concluded.
FARMERS’ RIGHTS
Maiko Wai-tan Ibarde, representing Benguet, is a proud Kankanaey and an advocate for farmers’ rights and sustainable agriculture.
With three years of experience as a field coordinating officer, Ibarde witnessed firsthand the struggles of farmers, whose contributions often go unrecognized.
“Farming is the primary livelihood in Benguet, yet it is not always seen as an equal profession,” Ibarde said, adding that “farmers deserve greater recognition and support.”
Ibarde said she aims to elevate the status of farmers and believes that a partnership with BingoPlus could help promote pride and empowerment among local agricultural workers.
DIGITAL INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE
Representing Pangasinan, Andrea Ravazo Cayabyab is focusing on digital innovation in farming and fishing communities.
Hailing from San Fabian town, where agriculture and fishing are vital industries, Cayabyab said she aims to bridge the gap between traditional livelihoods and modern technology.
“Farmers and fishermen are the ones who provide our food every day. They deserve recognition, support, and love from us,” she emphasized.
Through the MUPH platform, she hopes to introduce digital tools that can enhance productivity, improve business opportunities, and empower local industries.
Similarly, Tyra Goldman, representing Danao, Bohol, shares a deep concern for farmers’ welfare and believes that discussions around agriculture and food production must be amplified.
“Our farmers nourish us, and it’s time we ensure that their voices are heard,” she stated.
Cayabyab acknowledged BingoPlus’s advocacy for clean water, recognizing its importance to both agriculture and everyday life.
In like manner, reigning MUPH queen Chelsea Manalo championed the welfare of Filipino migrant workers with the full support of BingoPlus.—John Eiron R. Francisco
