Pauline Amelinckx (©Miss Universe Philippines)

Representing Bohol, Pauline Cucharo Amelinckx, 24, almost won Miss Universe Philippines 2020 at the Cordillera Convention Hall of Baguio Country Club in Baguio City, Philippines. She was the third runner-up of the inaugural beauty pageant.

It was Rabiya Occeña Mateo, 23, of Iloilo City who won the title. The respective first, second and fourth runners-up were Maria Ysabella Roxas Ysmael, 24, of Parañaque City, Michele Theresa Imperial Gumabao, 28, of Quezon City, and Kimberly “Billie” P. Hakenson, 26, of Cavite.

Including Amelinckx, Mateo, Ysmael, Gumabao and Hakenson, 46 candidates competed in the first edition of the national competition that selects the Philippines’ representative to Miss Universe. It was the first time the representative was not the top winner of Binibining Pilipinas.

Hosted by KC Montero, the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 coronation ceremony. It was held with no physical audience in the venue due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on October 23, 2020 but was not broadcast until October 25, 2020.

“What factors influence you in deciding what to buy or post online?” Montero asked Amelinckx in the question-and-answer portion. She answered, “The factors that help me decide that is basically what I want to put out there, what I want to show the world about myself, how I want to portray myself.”

“What matters most is that we know who we are, that we are true to our authentic selves and that we always try our best to show and share that to the rest of the world and hopefully inspire them to do the same,” Amelinckx continued. She and her fellow Top 5 finalists were also given a common question.

“This pandemic has made clear our priorities, essential and non-essential,” Montero said. “Where do pageants stand in this time of crisis?”

“I think pageants are now an amazing platform to show that not all our dreams are cancelled, they’re just put on hold and for us, we’re just lucky to make this one dream come true, to stand here, to spread hope, to rally people together in action and conversation and spark change and together, I’m sure, we can make a positive impact out there on this stage,” the Bohol representative answered. “That is the essence of beauty pageants in the time of a pandemic.”

Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up Janine Tugonon and Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida served as judges. They were joined by Philippine Fashion Coalition president Jackie C. Aquino, Frontrow co-founder and CEO Samuel Salonga Verzosa Jr., ACT-CIS representative Eric Yap, Raymond delos Santos, IPG Mediabrands Philippines CEO Venus Navalta, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Baguio City first lady Arlene Magalong and Procter & Gamble group director for media Arthur Peña.

Frontrow was the official presenter of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 along with Creamsilk, Olay, Lazada and Downy as co-presenters. The beauty pageant was supported by major sponsors Ginebra, Cetaphil, Morris Garage (MG) Philippines, Huawei, Villarica, PLDT, Grab, Havaianas, Byaheng Busog, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Nix Institute of Beauty, Marqed Salon, Glam, Artist Management and Events (GAME), Empire Studios, Petron, Beauche, The Manila Hotel, Verzosa Aesthetic Clinic and Baguio County Club.