Valerie Pawid West, a 23-year-old trailblazer and the first Miss World Philippines candidate from Ifugao, is making headlines as she steps into the national spotlight. A recent biomedical engineering graduate from the University of Delaware, certified EMT, and founder of The Pulse of Hope Foundation, Valerie is determined to use both her education and her platform to uplift underserved Filipino communities—especially those close to her roots.
Born to an Ifugao mother and an American father, Valerie grew up in the United States but experienced a life-changing homecoming to Ifugao. “During my previous pageant experience in Miss Universe Philippines, I was blown away by the overwhelming support from my family’s hometown,” she recalls. Immersing herself in Ifugao’s culture and traditions, Valerie felt not only welcomed but also deeply inspired to advocate for her people. “I really wanted to choose a next step, a pageant system where I can highlight the underserved communities, especially Ifugao, but also uplift people for my advocacy project, and Miss World Philippines seems like a perfect fit because they really advocate for beauty with a purpose. I already had a plan after Miss Universe Philippines. I started my own foundation to go back and really serve throughout the year, and I really fit with Miss World Philippines. So go na! And also, besides that fact, I started as a singer, not as a pageant girl. So there’s a talent competition in Miss World, and it really just felt like the organic, perfect fit in my next steps because I already had a plan to stay in the Philippines, exploring these creative outlets during my gap year from medical school.”
The Pulse of Hope Foundation embodies her passion for advocacy, regularly returning to Ifugao for outreach missions. “Every time I walk out on a national stage, I try to take a little bit of Ifugao with me wether that be just simply through my warrior spirit, my resilience, but also telling the story. I’m not just Valerie Pawid West on that stage, I’m really a representative of Ifugao. So wether that be through wearing our weave patterns or going to fashion expos that highlight our local artists or just simply talking about the stories of our people.,” she shares. Valerie even collaborated with Orange & Lemons to write and perform “The Heart of Ifugao,” a song and music video filmed in her homeland to celebrate its beauty and culture.
For Valerie, her advocacy is deeply personal. “Representing a place like Ifugao, which isn’t yet big in the pageant circuit, is my chance to show the world our grace and potential,” she says. This year, she’s focusing on the special needs community, inspired by her early experiences with music therapy and inclusive organizations in the US. “In the Philippines, especially in provinces like Ifugao, special needs children often face isolation and stigma. I want to break those barriers and be a leader for change—here and, hopefully, globally.”
Valerie’s biomedical engineering background gives her advocacy a unique edge. As a certified EMT, she combines hands-on service with awareness campaigns, tackling issues such as HIV and mental health in Ifugao. “I know that access to proper medical tools as well as health awareness is more important than ever. Actually in Ifugao, we have rising cases of HIV, so every time I go back, beyond just doing my special needs project, I tour schools talking about mental health and HIV awareness. First, being an advocate speaking out on topics that may be taboo in these areas that are isolated, but also trying to do more medical missions—not just as a biomedical engineer but also as a certified EMT, I’m trying to bring these healthcare outlets.”
Balancing the demands of science and pageantry is no small feat, but Valerie credits her engineering education for building her problem-solving skills and resilience. “I just graduated, and it was really tough and rough—four to five years of education—but it built my character up and prepared me for the beauty pageant world because here in the Philippines it’s no joke. To join a beauty pageant, you really have to have resilience, not just in your physical being but also in your mental capacity. So being educated in the engineering field really prepared me for that, being a problem solver. So the way I balance it is by taking everything one step at a time. I completed the education part, but this phase of my life is more focused on creative outlets, allowing me to prioritize my mental and physical health while also utilizing that education for my advocacy projects and trying to integrate it wherever possible. I take that education with me every step of the way, but for now it’s on pause because I really need to be focused first and foremost on this beauty pageant pursuit.”
The Miss World Philippines 2026 competition presents Valerie as a symbol of modern Filipina strength and purpose. With her eyes set on making a difference for her people and the country, Valerie Pawid West is proving that true beauty shines brightest with compassion, courage, and a sense of purpose.
