Miss Universe Philippines 2020

Selection of participants

In December 2019, the organization launched its search for the next Filipina who would represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2020 competition.^[1] The deadline of the submission of applications was on January 18, 2020, and the screenings were set to take place from January 20 to 24.^[16][17]

However, on January 25, the new owners of the franchise introduced an Accredited Partner Program, where provinces and cities could send one contestant from each locality through an accredited partner.^[18][19] Walk-in contestants are still accepted by the organization until 31 January 2020, after which the contestants went through a final screening on February 1.^[20][21] The walk-in contestants who passed the final screening were then adopted by an accredited partner and joined all other contestants that were determined by an accredited partner on February 10.^[18][22][23] On February 14, the fifty-two contestants of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 were presented during the Red Carpet Presentation at Manila Hotel.^[24][25]

Location and date

On January 29, the organization announced that the coronation was scheduled for May 3 evening at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.^[31][32] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was rescheduled twice; the first time to June 14, 2020,^[33][34] and later to October 25, 2020, at the Cordillera Convention Hall, inside the Baguio Country Club. This edition was held entirely in a closed location and without the presence of the public, which prevented the candidates from carrying out any external activities and in the same way as the preliminaries.^[4][5][35] Also, many segments from the final competition were tapped before the broadcast. For the first time on history, a major pageant on Philippines held exclusively behind closed doors.^[35][36][37]

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

An eight-episode web series entitled Ring Light was released on September 27 on Empire.ph and could be viewed for a one-time fee. Marketed as a "fundraising online pageant series", part of the proceeds would be given to the pageants' beneficiaries and partner organizations. The series featured several aspects of the pageant's contestants bid to clinch the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 crown, including their trainings and other behind-the-scenes content.^[38][39]

Placements

§ – Lazada Fan Vote winner

Appointments

Special awards

Format

The results of the preliminary competition, which consisted of the swimsuit competition, the evening gown competition, and the closed-door interview, determined the first fifteen semi-finalists selected at large. Internet voting was also used, with fans being able to vote for another delegate to advance into the semi-finals through the Lazada Fan Vote.^[42]

The sixteen semi-finalists competed in three rounds: question-and-answer, swimsuit and evening gown. The swimwear for the finals was designed by UAE-based couture label Amato Couture by Filipino designer Furne One in collaboration with luxury swimwear Amari Swim.^[48][49][50] From sixteen, five finalists were chosen to compete at the final question-and-answer round. Two questions were asked; the first being unique to each candidate and the second is the same question answered by all five finalists.^[51] Afterwards, Miss Universe Philippines 2020 and her runners-up were announced.^[40]

Selection committee