ESPINOSA (Photo by Rudy Trance III for Miss Iloilo)
ILOILO CITY – Zestah Shalom Espinosa was crowned Miss Iloilo 2026, a pageant that is part of this year’s Dinagyang Festival.
The 21-year-old Espinosa from Anilao town bested 11 other candidates.
“This crown is not just mine. It belongs to all of you,” Espinosa said in her Facebook page on Sunday, Jan. 18, after winning the crown on Saturday evening.
Aside from the crown, the architecture student from the University of San Agustin (USA) also won Best in Gown, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Introduction Video.
Other titles were also awarded, including four Heartfelt Queens: Patricia Lynn Beerda of La Paz district of Iloilo City, Lorraine Manguiat of Tubungan town, Angel Ann Teruel of Pototan town, and Jessica Mae Gatungay of Guimbal town.
This year’s Miss Iloilo board of judges were led by Ilongga beauty queen Rabiya Mateo, who won the title in 2020 before being crowned as Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) later that year.
Other judges were MUPH President Jonas Gaffud, MUPH Vice President for MUPH Global and National Search Mags Cue, famed international shoe designer Jojo Baragais, and Ilonggo businessman Joe Marie Layson Jr.
The Miss Iloilo beauty pageant was led by co-chairpersons Sarah O. Peña and Beverly Rosales-Chaplin.
It is backed by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) chaired by Judgee Lopez Peña and President Angel de Leon Jr. as well as the Iloilo City government.