The 2026 Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant season has just started, but one candidate has already picked up an early win, Rica Mae Villasanta who was proclaimed as ‘Mutya ng Bayan.’
The delegate from Camarines Norte garnered 70,230 votes from the official online voting portal, more than 10,000 votes ahead of first runner-up Lyra Punsalan from Davao del Norte, who got 59,630.
Close behind with 52,750 votes and closing the podium at third place was Patricia Dueñas from Cebu City, who was proclaimed second runner-up for the Mutya ng Bayan voting.
Villasanta received her Mutya ng Bayan title at the press presentation of the official candidates for the 58th anniversary edition of the second longest-running national pageant in the Philippines.
The event was held at the ballroom of Bellevue Manila in Muntinlupa City on Sunday evening, Oct. 4. Forty candidates from across the Philippines and from different overseas Filipino communities were presented to members of the media and other guests.
They also received their official sashes bearing their respective hometowns during the event, where they strutted down the runway wearing swimsuits in orange, yellow, and lilac.
But there are two more ways where fans can actively throw their support behind their bets. Voting for Mutya La Elegante Filipinas and Heart of Mutya are currently ongoing, with the winners’ proclamation scheduled on Oct. 11 during the Charity Gala event.
Also to be named during the Charity Gala will be the ‘Darling of the Press,’ the Mutya who garnered the most votes from the members of the media who attended the Press Presentation, as well as her runners-up who received the second highest and third highest number of votes.
The 2026 Mutya ng Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night will be held at the PlayTime FilOil Center in San Juan City on Oct. 14. Several national titles will be awarded at the end of the competition.