If Justine Tarah Marie Valencia, 22, of Baguio City, Philippines wins Miss Universe Philippines 2024, she will be the country’s Miss Universe 2024 representative in Mexico.
From 2019 to 2023, Valencia attended the University of Baguio. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in tourism and travel services management with a specialization in international tourism.
On August 26, 2023, Valencia competed against 17 other Miss Baguio 2023 candidates at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center in Baguio City. She ranked second and was crowned Miss Baguio Turismo 2023.
It was University of Baguio senior high school graduate Janah Rhyl Lumidao, 18, of Barangay Loakan Proper who won the Miss Baguio 2023 title. She was originally announced as Baguio City’s Miss Universe Philippines 2024 candidate.
However, on February 2, 2024, Valencia was officially appointed Miss Universe Baguio 2024. Why she replaced Lumidao is still unknown.
Baguio has an interesting history with Miss Universe.
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 later, she visited Baguio City where she met Virgilio “Gil” Hilario, then 25, who became her husband.
On May 11, 2001, Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2001 Zorayda Ruth Andam, then 24, of Baguio City represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2001 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. She was unplaced but she was runner-up to the Best in National Costume winner.
Amid the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the inaugural edition of Miss Universe Philippines was held at the Cordillera Convention Hall of Baguio Country Club in Baguio City on October 25, 2020. Rabiya Mateo, then 24, of Iloilo City won and later finished in the Top 21 at Miss Universe 2020 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA.
On April 30, 2022, Ghenesis Latugat, then 22, represented Baguio City at Miss Universe Philippines 2022 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines and finished in the Top 10. The next edition was held on May 13, 2023 in the same venue where Baguio City’s representative Krishnah Marie Gravidez, then 22, ranked third and was crowned Miss Charm Philippines 2024.
CV Stardom 
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