Marinel Timoteo Tungol, 26, of Arayat, Pampanga, 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.

One of the sister cities of Baguio City is Angeles City. The latter geographically located in Pampanga but politically independent from the province.

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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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Marinel Tungol

Tungol is an architectural designer. She is a former intern at Clark Development Corporation in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

In 2012, Tungol graduated from St. Scholastica’s Academy Pampanga. In 2017, she graduated from Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampanga with a bachelor’s degree in architecture.

On August 5, 2018, Tungol competed against 20 other finalists at Miss Midori Clark 2018 at Fiesta Hall of the Midori Hotel and Casino in Clark Freeport Zone. The title was won by Jasmine Omay, then 19, of Tarlac City, Philippines.

Runner-up to Omay was Tungol’s fellow Pampanga native and Holy Angel University alum Emma Mary Tiglao, then 24. Representing the Philippines, Tiglao finished in the Top 20 at Miss Intercontinental 2019 in Egypt on December 20, 2019.

In 2020, Tungol passed the architect licensure examination. In 2021, she was one of the artists featured in LausGroup of Companies‘ HeART of Central Luzon, an art initiative showcasing the culture and craftmanship of Pampanga.

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.