Paul Christian Ocampo

EXCLUSIVE: Kalibo, Aklan’s Imelda Schweighart on representing mothers in Miss Universe Philippines 2026

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Beauty queen Imelda Schweighart is not only representing Kalibo, Aklan in this year’s Miss Universe Philippines pageant but she is also proudly carrying the flag for mothers.</p><p>In an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong></a> during the Miss Universe Philippines contract signing with New Moon, Imelda shared how her return to local pageantry is her way of empowering fellow mothers to continue pursuing their dreams.</p><p>“To me, I&#x27;m representing all the mothers and soon-to-be mothers in the Philippines, and I want (them) to feel empowered that after motherhood, you can still pursue your dreams. It doesn’t mean you&#x27;re less or you&#x27;re over pursuing your dreams,” Imelda explained.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773051173333PUSH-Imelda-Schweighart-On-Representing-Mothers-In-Miss-Universe-Philippines-2026.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><p>She added: “There’s a stigma in the Philippines where mothers are seen as a disability, are seen as a minority, and I want to empower all the mothers out there to fight for your space in the industry, in the workspace, in school, everywhere.”</p><p>Back in 2022, the Miss Universe pageant opened its doors to married women and mothers, making the competition more inclusive. In an interview with ANC at the time, Miss Universe Organization‘s then-president Paula Shugart explained that the organization did not want to exclude women who felt capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of being Miss Universe.</p><p>Imelda expressed how hearing about the news marked a turning point in her pageant career and let her use the platform to advocate for fellow moms.</p><p>“Noong nag-open na yung Miss Universe for mothers to join, it was around 4 years ago, or 3 years ago, I said my pageant career isn’t over yet, and I&#x27;m like ‘Oh, so I can have an even ground with the other ladies and I can show how powerful you become when you are mother,’ how stronger you get, how much you get transformed by the experience and I want all the women not to be scared of motherhood. It’s hard but it transforms you,” Imelda recalled.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVI9EXBIM6f/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%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A4365393.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="747" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" 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></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><p>She also shared how she built friendship with fellow delegates, especially those who asked for advice in joining pageants.</p><p>“I’m kind of like in the scene for a while. I&#x27;ve been a beauty queen for 15 years, and the ones who really respect me come to me, and I’m so happy about it, and I give them advice,” she said.</p><p>With Miss Universe Philippines activities already underway and the coronation night set for May 2026, Imelda shared how she has been preparing to remain “crown-ready.”</p><p>“My preparation is more on the fitness side, ‘cause I wanna be able to come fit in a fair game physically. Mentally naman, I’ve been doing a lot of holistic, mental health retreats in the past to feel present, and so it’s a 2-year preparation definitely, I am there now and ang training na lang na kulang is my pasarela,” Imelda shared.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVhfDOvk2KG/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%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A4365965%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="927" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" 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></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/10/15/after-miss-earth-imelda-schweighart-aims-to-represent-ph-in-miss-universe-1229" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: After Miss Earth, Imelda Schweighart aims to represent PH in Miss Universe<br/></strong></a><strong></strong></div><p>Imelda was previously crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2016, representing Puerto Princesa. She went on to represent the country in the international competition but failed to advance past the first cut. Months later, she relinquished her Miss Philippines Earth crown following controversial statements and her overall performance in the pageant.</p><p>Her bid for this year’s Miss Universe Philippines title also marks her second attempt at the Miss Universe stage. In 2023, she joined the Miss Universe Germany pageant.</p>

<p><b>Imelda Schweighart hopes to empower moms in Miss Universe Philippines 2026.</b></p>