Jona Ili Sweett, 26, of Aklan, Philippines is one of the 50 women vying for the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 crown. Among her competitors is Ghenesis Padilla-Dalayday Latugat, 22, who is representing Baguio City, Philippines.

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Miss Universe Philippines 2022

From 50 candidates, only 30 will be selected to compete in the coronation night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on April 30, 2022. The winner has big shoes to fill because if she is unplaced at Miss Universe 2022, it will end the Philippines’ 12-year winning streak in Miss Universe.

Beatrice Luigi Gomez, 27, of Cebu City, Philippines was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021 at the Henann Resort Convention Center in Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines on September 30, 2021. She finished in the Top 5 at Miss Universe 2021 at the Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel on December 13, 2021.

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Jona Sweett

Sweett is 5’7″ tall. Her father Jefferey Sweett is Australian while her mother Arcena Ili Romero is Filipino.

Jona earned her bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management at Garcia College of Technology in Kalibo, Aklan. She was Mutya ng Pilipinas-Aklan 2014.

On February 18, 2015, Jona was crowned Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival Queen-Earth 2015. Representing Iloilo City, Philippines, she ranked fifth at Miss Philippines Earth 2015 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 31, 2015 and was crowned Miss Philippines Eco Tourism 2015.

On September 3, 2017, Jona went back to the SM Mall of Asia Arena to compete against 34 other candidates at Miss World Philippines 2017. She finished in the Top 10.

Miss Universe Philippines 2020

Amid the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the inaugural edition of Miss Universe Philippines was held in Baguio City. A total of 46 women competed for the crown including Bea Theresa Maynigo, then 24, who represented the city.

On October 25, 2020, Rabiya Mateo, then 24, of Iloilo City was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020 at the Cordillera Convention Hall of Baguio Country Club in Baguio City. She finished in the Top 21 at Miss Universe 2020 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, United States.

Miss Universe’s Armi Kuusela, Zorayda Andam

Armi Helena Kuusela of Finland was 17 years old when she was crowned as the first ever Miss Universe in Long Beach, California, United States on June 28, 1952. Months after her coronation, she visited Baguio City where she met Virgilio “Gil” Hilario, then 25, who became her husband.

Zorayda Ruth Andam of Baguio City was 24 years old when she represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2001 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on May 11, 2001. She was unplaced but she was runner-up to the Best in National Costume winner.