Baguio's Pride: Roxie Smith Named Official Baguio Delegate for MUPH 2026

• Sparkle GMA artist Roxie Smith has been officially appointed as Baguio City’s representative for Miss Universe Philippines 2026
• A seasoned veteran, Smith previously held the Miss Earth – Water 2020 title before successfully transitioning into a television career
• The actress admitted she initially hesitated to return to pageantry but was motivated by the support of her fans and loved ones
• Smith aims to use the competition as a platform for her advocacies, encouraging women to fearlessly pursue their lifelong ambitions

In a significant move for the 2026 local pageantry season, Roxie Smith was officially introduced as the representative for Baguio City in the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines competition.

The announcement, made on February 4, 2026, confirms the return of the Sparkle GMA artist to the national stage, this time aiming for the most prestigious title in the country.

Born Roxanne Allison Baeyens, the 28-year-old actress is no stranger to the spotlight.

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Having previously earned the title of Miss Earth Philippines 2020 and subsequently being crowned Miss Earth, Water on the international stage, Smith brings a wealth of experience to the 2026 roster.

The sashing ceremony, held in an intimate setting, highlighted her deep connection to the "City of Pines."

Smith expressed that representing her hometown in the Miss Universe Philippines circuit is a "dream come true," admitting that while she initially had reservations about returning to pageantry, the unwavering encouragement from her supporters pushed her to take the leap.

Since her successful international pageant stint, Smith has carved out a name for herself in the entertainment industry as a contract artist for Sparkle GMA Artist Center.

She became a familiar face through roles in popular Kapuso series such as Hearts on Ice, Black Rider, and Shining Inheritance.

Her transition back to the pageant world has been met with enthusiasm from her showbiz peers.

Notable friends and fellow Sparkle stars, including Ashley Ortega and Shuvee Etrata, took to social media to celebrate her appointment, solidifying her status as a formidable contender in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive edition of the national pageant.

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Beyond the glamour, Smith intends to use the Miss Universe Philippines platform to amplify her advocacies, which include environmental conservation and urban gardening.

She hopes that her journey will serve as an inspiration to other women to pursue their goals regardless of the timing or industry.

"Through this platform, I would be able to connect to more women and maybe I could convince them to go for their dreams," she shared.

As Baguio City's official delegate, she succeeds Gwendoline Meliz Soriano, looking to carry the momentum of the city's strong performance in previous years into the 2026 coronation night.

The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization is the premier body tasked with choosing the nation's representative for the iconic Miss Universe stage. Since transitioning into a standalone pageant in 2020, it has focused on redefining Filipina beauty through leadership and advocacy, ensuring the country continues its powerful legacy in global pageantry.

In a related news last year, reigning Miss Universe-Philippines Ahtisa Manalo looked back on her competitive career, expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to reach the global stage and finish as third runner-up at Miss Universe. The Quezon native highlighted her honor in representing the Filipino people, noting that her placement was the culmination of an 18-year dream fueled by the support of her fans. Beyond the competition, Manalo reaffirmed her commitment to the youth-focused non-profit Alon Akademie, emphasizing that her mission for social change persists even without a crown. Supporters and fellow beauty queens showered the finalist with praise, celebrating her poise and the authentic story of perseverance she shared during the international broadcast.

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Previously, former Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee became a trending topic after sharing her candid reactions to the surprising outcome of the 2025 international pageant. Following the coronation of Mexico's Fatima Bosch, Dee posted several cryptic messages on X, suggesting a sense of confusion regarding the final scores and placements. The actress and pageant veteran’s posts ignited a broader conversation among followers about the weight of the question-and-answer segment in modern competition formats. The online buzz generated by Dee’s reactions highlights the intense passion of the Filipino fan base and their unwavering defense of the country’s representatives on the world stage.

Source: KAMI.com.gh