Denise Nicole Mababangloob Yujuico, 30, of Virginia, United States is competing for the right to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico. Originally from Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines, she is an activist, an influencer, a business professional and a former commercial model.
Yujuico went to school in the Philippines, Japan and the U.S. and is fluent in English, Filipino and Japanese. She and Joseph Salvilla Palalay Jr. have one son together.
On November 26, 2017, Yujuico attended the coronation of Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel Peters of South Africa at The AXIS in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The Philippines was represented by Rachel Peters, who finished in the Top 10.
Representing Virginia’s Filipino community, Yujuico will compete against 54 other Miss Universe Philippines 2024 candidates at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on May 22, 2024. Including her, 10 candidates are representing a Filipino community outside the Philippines.
On February 18, 2024, Yujuico and her fellow candidates were officially introduced at the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Manila in Pasay City. Miss Universe 2021 top 5 finalist Beatrice Luigi Gomez, 28, co-hosted the event, which was attended by Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee, 35, Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up Janine Tugonon, 34, and Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, 28.
Dee finished in the Top 10 at Miss Universe 2023, which was the Philippines’ 27th Miss Universe placement. The country won the title via Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in 1973, Pia Wurtzbach in 2015 and Catriona Gray in 2018.
CONAN Daily 