U Be the Judge: Experience First-Ever Live Scoring at Miss Universe Philippines 2026 with Maya

Pageant fans, this is your moment. For the first time ever, Miss Universe Philippines 2026 is letting you step into the judge’s seat with live scoring powered by Maya. From swimsuit to Q and A, every moment on coronation night becomes interactive as you rate candidates in real time, not just watch from the sidelines.

More than just voting, this is your chance to actually shape the journey. With daily free votes and live scoring in one app, supporting your favorite queen goes beyond comments and cheers. This time, your opinion truly counts.

Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Makes History with First-Ever Daily Free Fan Voting, Powered by Maya

Miss Universe Philippines 2026 is changing the way fans take part in the pageant. For the first time ever, supporters can enjoy daily free fan voting through the Maya app, making it easier to back their favorite candidates throughout the competition.

Even more exciting, fans will also get the chance to participate in live voting on coronation night. If you have ever wanted to step into the judge’s seat and make your voice count, this year’s edition makes it possible. Here is how you can be part of this historic first.

 

Art Impact for Health: Celebrating 75,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines

Smile Train executives, mural artist Jesse Camacho, WHO representative Isabelle Wachsmuth, and Smile Train ambassadors CJ Opiaza, Pia Wurtzbach and Angelique Manto, at Smile Train’s Art Impact for Health held at the Philippine Band of Mercy

Art has the power to heal and uplift the spirit. As it celebrates supporting more than 75,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines, Smile Train – the world’s largest cleft-focused organization – is bringing the transformative power of art to the Philippine cleft community through Art Impact for Health.

A global initiative in partnership with the World Health Organization, Art Impact for Health aims to enable healing, communication, and improved psychosocial well-being for all patients. Cleft affected patients face continuing stigma and many are bullied or mistreated because of their condition. As a result, they struggle with negative self-image and low self-esteem. 

Developing sustainable cleft care in the Philippines

Smile Train knows that cleft care is not just surgical care, and patients with cleft often need ongoing speech, orthodontic, nutrition, and psychosocial care to survive and thrive. Beyond surgery, cleft patients need psychosocial care integrated into their cleft treatment. In celebration of the organization’s 75,000 surgery landmark, Smile Train, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippine Band of Mercy, held an art workshop today, bringing the cleft community closer together. The event was attended by patients and families affected by cleft, cleft community advocates, representatives of the World Health Organization, and Smile Train partners and ambassadors, including the winner and runners-up of Miss Universe Philippines 2023.

Ms. Universe 2015 and Smile Train Ambassador Pia Wurtzbach at Smile Train’s Art Impact for Health

The workshop aims to help cleft-affected patients discover healing through art by forging a connection between one’s mind and body, thereby enabling self-expression and empowerment. 

“Healing and health go beyond procedures and treatments. Psychosocial well-being plays a big role in healing and recovery, as well as in building resilience to overcome challenges,” said Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President and Regional Director for Smile Train Asia.

“As such, we at Smile Train are proud to work alongside the World Health Organization in the Art Impact for Health initiative, as it engages not just patients but those helping in their care by supporting culture and art activities that promote well-being and health for all.”

Ms. Universe Philippines 2023 First Runner-Up CJ Opiaza at Smile Train’s Art Impact for Health

The Art Impact for Health workshop also spreads awareness and deters stigma regarding cleft, which affects children around the world – including the Philippines, where around 5,000 children are born with a cleft every year. 

It also mirrors Smile Train’s enduring commitment to serve the Filipino cleft community through free cleft care and treatment services that can bring transformative change to thousands of Filipinos born with a cleft.

Ms. Universe Philippines 2023 2nd Runner-Up Angelique Manto at Smile Train’s Art Impact for Health

Over the years, Smile Train has brought to life its vision of a sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other forms of essential care. It supports 100%-free cleft repair surgery and end-to-end cleft care for children, including through innovations such as telehealth, the establishment of comprehensive cleft care centers nationwide, and activities such as Art Impact for Health. Smile Train treats the whole patient through programs that provide access to comprehensive cleft care services, helping build their confidence to interact with others in school, community, workplace, and ultimately allowing them to fully thrive.

For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines. 

Catriona Gray joins Smile Train as its newest Global Ambassador

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray joins Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft organization, as its newest Global Ambassador.

Gazini Ganados 2019 Miss Universe Philippines is the real winner of #MissUniverse2019 National Costume competition!

It's indeed confusing times, but Miss Universe's official twitter account cleared it: "Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados is the winner of the #MissUniverse2019 National Costume competition!"

2019 Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados' top five Miss Universe candidates

Gazini Ganados shares her top five Miss Universe candidates. Is this the beginning of a new sisterhood between this year’s Miss Universe ladies?

PLDT Home Fibr with MIss USA Olivia Jordan and MIss USA Nia Sanchez

PLDT Home and Smart Communications flew in Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan and Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez for an exclusive coverage of the Miss Universe 2016 pageant. As the official provider of world-class internet for a world-class event, PLDT Home Fibr is all set to bring the ultimate Miss Universe 2016 experience to its subscribers, with Smart as its official mobile counterpart.

Olivia Jordan, Miss USA 2015 (left) and Nia Sanchez, Miss USA 2014

We have known Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan as a good friend and former roommate of our Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. Olivia previously visited the country to judge Binibining Pilipinas 2016 and watched Pia crown her Miss Universe-Philippines successor, Maxine Medina.

Nia, on the other hand, is setting foot in the Philippines for the first time and is extremely excited as she used to work with a lot of Filipinos in Hong Kong.

Nia and Olivia arrived early morning of January 23 at the NAIA Terminal 1. Their visit was made possible through the invitation of PLDT. They will serve as pageant insiders and report on the latest happenings of the delegates for PLDT's social media page.

Olivia placed 2nd runner-up to Pia in 2015 edition of Miss Universe while Nia was 1st runner-up in 2014.

PLDT, Smart, TV5 and Solar converge to bring the ultimate Miss Universe 2016 experience to more Filipinos

Leading Philippine telco and digital services provider PLDT and mobile leader Smart Communications together with broadcast station TV5 bring the much anticipated Miss Universe 2016 closer to Filipinos everywhere through digital and social media services running on the country’s most extensive and robust fixed line and wireless networks.

In partnership with the Miss Universe Organization and official Philippine broadcast partner of Miss Universe 2016 Solar Entertainment, the PLDT Group will enable the best viewing experience of the pageant in the Philippines through its various terrestrial and digital channels, across multiple screens at home and on-the-go. Shown in photo during the contract signing event held recently at PLDT RC Building in Makati City are, from left, Miss Universe Organization Business Development and Marketing Vice President Shawn McClain, Solar Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Wilson Tieng, PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, PLDT and Smart Chief Revenue Officer Eric Alberto, and TV5 President and CEO Chot Reyes.

The partnership includes the blocktime airing of the Coronation Night on January 30, as well as the exclusive airing of the long gown and swimsuit preliminary competitions on January 28 and 29 which will also be available online on the same day, powered by PLDT and Smart

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