"Bardagulan" or a "bloodbath." This is how some pageant watchers describe the intense competition among veteran queens who are also frontrunners in Miss Universe Philippines 2024, which will have its grand coronation night at the MOA Arena on May 22.

Rabiya Mateo, who represented the country in Miss Universe 2020, said: "I know! bloodbath talaga. And it makes me excited as a pageant fan because they're really trying to deliver a great show for us."

Meanwhile, actress and host MJ Lastimosa - who represented the country in Miss Universe 2014 - said there is nothing wrong with proclaiming a seasoned queen as the winner of Miss Universe Philippines 2024.

"Ang sabi ko sa kanila, mag-bardagulan sila hangga't gusto nila. It's good for our country, meaning hasang-hasa ang mananalo kasi paghihirapan niya talaga ang korona," MJ said.

There's a record of seven experienced queens competing in MUPH 2024 and some of them have placed globally. They are Kris Tiffany Janson, Miss Intercontinental 2014 2nd runner-up; Christi Lynn McGarry of Taguig, 1st runner-up in Miss Intercontinental 2015; Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province, Miss International 2018 1st runner-up; Cyrille Payumo of Pampanga, Miss Tourism International 2019; Alexandra Mae Rosales, Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022; Victoria Velasquez Vincent, Miss Universe Philippines Charity 2021; and Stacey Gabriel of Cainta, Bb. Pilipinas 2022 2nd runner-up.

MJ, also known in showbiz as Mareng MJ, opined that the seasoned queens have "unfinished business" or "what ifs" in life, and that's why they are returning.

She related this to her own experience, having tried three times before gaining the right to represent the Philippines in Miss Universe 2014 where she placed in the top 10.

"Pag pangarap mo kasi pangarap mo eh.Di mo naman kasi masasabi ang timing, what if ito na yung perfect time for the girl who's returning? For me talaga may the best Miss Universe Philippines candidate win! And  ang Pilipino naman, kung sino ang ipapadala sa international stage, we will support her," MJ remarked.

Rabiya has this message to the candidates. "Kung ibibigay sa iyo ni God, ibibigay niya talaga sa iyo. You're gonna have that winning goal."

The Ilongga beauty queen revealed that she is rooting for fellow Ilongga Alexie Brooks but clarified that she also supports the rest of the girls.

"I'm rooting for Alexi, of course. But also, I have a lot of friends na kasali. And I know also their personal struggles, you know. And I'm also rooting for them. Overall, masasabi ko bilang isang kandidata dati, mahirap po yung pageantry. So instead of comparing or rooting for just one girl, pray for everybody. Kasi hindi madali ang journey nila," Rabiya pointed out.

Meanwhile, MJ admitted that she supports Kris Tiffany Janson because they are batchmates in Bb. Pilipinas 2014, and they have been friends for 10 years.