Mary Dawn Molina Abiera, 25, of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, 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.

Founded on November 22, 1973, Sultan Kudarat was named for Muslin ruler Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat. Tacurong is around 1,868km away from Baguio City.

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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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Mary Dawn Abiera

Abiera attended Notre Dame Tacurong College in Tacurong. She later went back to the school as a teacher.

In September 2015, Abiera was crowned Mutya ng Lungsod ng Tacurong -Tourism 2015. She visited Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines in October 2019 and Koronadal, South Cotabato in December 2019.

In November 2021, Abiera was crowned Miss Sultan Kudarat 2021. It was the inaugural edition of the beauty pageant that was held as part of the Kalimudan Festival.

“Personally, to be uniquely beautiful is knowing your strengths and recognizing your flaws and celebrate (sic) your individuality,” Abiera recently shared. “Growing up, I also have my fair share of my insecurities that has greater untoward ramifications to my self-esteem.”

Armi Kuusela, Zorayda Andam, Rabiya Mateo

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

On May 11, 2001, Zorayda Ruth Andam, then 24, of Baguio City was unplaced when she represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2001 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Rabiya Mateo, then 24, of Iloilo City was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020 in Baguio City on October 25, 2020 and finished in the Top 21 at Miss Universe 2020 in Hollywood, Florida, USA on May 17, 2021.