Ronnabelle Lora

EXCLUSIVE: Valerie West is proud to be the first Ifugao to compete in Miss Universe Philippines

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>Even though she grew up in the US, Miss Universe Philippines candidate Valerie West said she is proud to be able to represent her Ifugao heritage and the Filipino community in New York. Raised by a Filipino mother, who hails from Kiangan, Ifugao, the 22-year-old candidate is also considered as a dark horse in this year’s pageant with her stunning good looks and natural confidence.</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-21" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJHLJFxSYgp/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A21%2C%22os%22%3A1619416.099999994%2C%22ls%22%3A403046.700000003%2C%22le%22%3A403056.299999997%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="858" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-21" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>“When I came to the Philippines, I was really blessed to be able to represent Ifugao, the first ever candidate representing Ifugao in Miss Universe Philippines. So I think that&#x27;s probably the most exciting part of my journey because I have a lot of family here. People don&#x27;t realize but most of my family are still here living in Ifugao. So this has been more than a pageant journey, it&#x27;s been a journey about relearning my roots, getting to know my family better since I&#x27;m here in person rather than on the phone. So that&#x27;s been really exciting and really a blessing throughout,” she told PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview.</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-22" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJHD873yITA/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A22%2C%22os%22%3A1619449.400000006%2C%22ls%22%3A403046.700000003%2C%22le%22%3A403056.299999997%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="858" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-22" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/4/30/what-muph-crown-is-valerie-west-eyeing-push-tv-1641"><strong>WATCH: What MUPh crown is Valerie West eyeing? | PUSH TV</strong></a></div><p>In preparation for the pageant, Valerie revealed that getting more than enough rest was the key. Before arriving in the Philippines, Valerie was busy with her work as a Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).</p><p>“Sleep, sleep, sleep. Whenever we have time, I&#x27;m in the car sleeping, eating, getting my makeup done, I&#x27;m sleeping. So I think sleep is key as well as a healthy balanced diet. I&#x27;m really an advocate for eating well, taking care of your body because it&#x27;s something that&#x27;s part of my personal pageant journey. I went through a weight loss program, weight loss journey to feel my best, feel the most confident in myself. So that&#x27;s really the basis of my journey, basis of my preparation is taking care of me first and foremost,” she revealed.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/30/valerie-west-reacts-to-being-labeled-as-a-dark-horse-in-muph-2025-push-tv-1628"><strong>WATCH: Valerie West reacts to being labeled as a ‘dark horse’ in MUPh 2025 | PUSH TV</strong></a></div><p>Prior to joining Miss Universe Philippines, Valerie also shared what advocacy she has always been passionate to work on.</p><p>“I’m really passionate about my advocacy because I started working with them even prior to the pageant. It&#x27;s called the PUSO Foundation, which is the Purposeful Unconditional Service to Others and the basis of their program is college outreach. So in the United States, I was working with them through my Filipino student organization to enact change in the Philippines and other countries through small and large acts of kindness. Whether that be balikbayan boxes or typhoon relief or medical missions, we just work on service projects so that we can give back to the community and pay it forward,” she explained.</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-23" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJBt-5ETOYp/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A23%2C%22os%22%3A1619471.700000003%2C%22ls%22%3A403046.700000003%2C%22le%22%3A403056.299999997%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-23" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>When asked why she deserves to take home the crown this year, the 22-year-old beauty queen answered confidently, “I think I should win because I can hold many hats. I&#x27;m a woman that can be flexible in any situation. I mean, coming here to the Philippines, I put myself out of my comfort zone. I was born in the US, raised there, but became a dual citizen because of my love and passion for the Philippines and our culture. So my ability to put myself out of my comfort zone, leave everything that is comfortable for me, everything I know, even my family, and come here for a dream. I think I can be a role model to young women, young males, young everyone, to go for it. Put yourself out of your comfort zone, follow your dreams, and take the time in life because it&#x27;s one of life&#x27;s many beautiful characteristics is our chance for rediscovery.”</p>

<p>Miss Universe Philippines candidate Valerie West talks about being proud to make history as the first-ever candidate to represent the Ifugao in the prestigious beauty pageant.</p>

Miss Universe Philippines candidate Valerie West talks about being proud to make history as the first-ever candidate to represent the Ifugao in the prestigious beauty pageant.