Asia Rose Simpson delivered Filipino flair on the 2026 Miss World stage with a quick glimpse of the folk dance ‘Pandanggo sa Ilaw’ during the pageant’s ‘Dances of the World’ showcase.
The 18-year-old youth advocate appeared in a pink ‘Traje de Mestiza’ by designer Renel Suarez, complete with a floral headdress and ‘candles’ in her hands and on her head.
Simpson and the rest the 110 delegates each had their own moments on stage at the April 2 Square in Nha Trang, Vietnam, for the ‘Hello Vietnam, Hello World show held on Wednesday evening, Sept. 2.
The ladies were presented in four batches, according to their continental groupings, with the Asia and Oceania group closing the show.
‘Dances of the World’ used to be incorporated in the coronation show, with only a few delegates getting solo spots while the rest of the delegates danced with them in the background, all in their traditional attires.
But as in the previous staging in India, the Miss World Organization mounted a separate show to showcase the dances from the different countries, and all the delegates had their solo spots.
‘Simpson embodies the timeless elegance of Pandanggo sa Ilaw, a cherished Filipino dance where light, movement, and tradition come together in perfect harmony,’ the Miss World Philippines Organization posted on social media, sharing photos of the delegate in her ‘traje.’
Simpson has taken huge strides in her quest for the ‘blue crown.’ She had already secured her spot in the Top 40 for winning the ‘Head-to-Head’ Challenge for the Asia and Oceania group.
She also garnered placements in the Top Model and Sports Challenges, in Beauty with a Purpose, and even placed third in the Talent contest.
Simpson hopes to become the second Filipino woman to win the Miss World title, 13 years since Megan Young scored the Philippines’ first-ever victory in the international pageant in 2013.
The Miss World pageant is holding its 73rd edition this year to celebrate its 75th anniversary. The new queen will be crowned on Sept. 5, also in Nha Trang.