Jason Harris
The countdown is on to one of the most anticipated celebrations of Filipino-Australian culture, community and pageantry, and this year’s Miss Philippines-Australia 2026 finalists are bringing far more than beauty and stage presence to the competition.
With nine accomplished women representing New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, the 2026 finalists come from remarkably diverse backgrounds — from healthcare and law to hospitality, government, politics and the creative industries. Yet they share a common thread: a desire to use their voices, experiences and platforms to make a difference.
For these women, the crown represents more than a title. Their individual ambitions reveal a generation of Filipino-Australian women passionate about advocacy, education, healthcare, cultural identity, community service, women’s empowerment and creating opportunities for others.
Some have grown up between two cultures. Others have built their lives in Australia after moving from the Philippines. Many credit their families, heritage and personal experiences for shaping the women they have become.
From a neonatal intensive care nurse advocating for premature babies to a future diplomat inspired by her upbringing in Mindanao, an aspiring immigration lawyer determined to open doors for others, and community-minded women committed to preserving and celebrating Filipino identity, the nine finalists each bring a story of their own.
As the competition moves toward the grand coronation, the question is not simply who will wear the crown? It is also about who can best transform the opportunity into a platform for purpose.
The Road to the Crown
The Miss Philippines-Australia 2026 coronation will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2026, as part of the 36th Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura at Fairfield Showground, Prairiewood, NSW. The festival is scheduled to run throughout the day, bringing together Filipino-Australian families and communities for a major celebration of Filipino culture, food, entertainment, heritage and community spirit.
The Miss Philippines-Australia and associated pageants are among the festival’s major highlights, placing the coronation within a much larger celebration of Filipino identity and community.
This year’s Fiesta will also feature live entertainment, with performers including Allan K, Ian Red, the Singing Queens and the Eat Bulaga Clones announced as part of the program.
For the nine finalists, however, all eyes will ultimately be on the pageant stage.
After months of preparation, appearances and advocacy, one woman will be crowned Miss Philippines-Australia 2026, taking on the responsibility of representing the Filipino-Australian community and using the title as a platform for purpose.
Meet the Finalists
Meet the nine remarkable women competing for the title of Miss Philippines-Australia 2026.
Alison Kimberly Cuyos Gamsby (NSW)
Health Insurance Consultant
For Alison Kimberly Cuyos Gamsby, life is full of possibilities. Her personal philosophy is simple: the world is truly your oyster.
With a passion for accessible healthcare, Alison hopes to use the Miss Philippines-Australia and Charity Queen Australia platforms to encourage people to pursue their dreams while prioritising their health, wellbeing and happiness.
She believes everyone has a story capable of inspiring others and wants to share her own experiences to remind people that life can change at any moment — and that it is never too late to turn things around.
Away from her professional life, Alison describes herself as a hobby collector, embracing new experiences and making memories wherever she can. Her interests include spending time with her horse, Prince, photography and ice skating.
Keighla Brieanne Santiago (NSW)
Newly Graduated Registered Nurse
As the eldest daughter across both sides of her family and one of eight children, Keighla Brieanne Santiago has grown up understanding responsibility, patience and the importance of being someone others can look up to.
Those values have helped shape her ambition to build a meaningful career in healthcare. Having recently graduated as a registered nurse, Keighla wants to care for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives while continuing to learn and grow.
Rather than following a rigid definition of success, she hopes to create a life she can be proud of — one where she is happy with what she does and able to make a difference, even in small ways.
Creativity plays a big role in her downtime. Keighla enjoys creating TikToks and videos with friends, editing content, documenting memories, going to the gym and enjoying movie nights. She also hopes to explore hands-on creative pursuits such as sewing and tufting.
Natasha Ferrer (NSW)
Registered Nurse & Founder of Luxe Lymph
For Natasha Ferrer, caring for others is not simply a profession — it is a way of life.
As a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse, Natasha cares for some of the most vulnerable patients imaginable: premature and critically unwell babies. Her experiences in the NICU have inspired her to advocate for babies, their families and the healthcare facilities providing lifesaving care.
Her commitment to helping others extends beyond Australia. Natasha sponsors two young girls in the Philippines, supporting their education and future opportunities, and hopes to extend that work to their local primary school.
She is equally passionate about empowering women and encouraging younger Filipino-Australians to embrace their heritage.
A true multi-hyphenate, Natasha’s interests range from Muay Thai, fitness and yoga to modelling, singing, songwriting, fashion, crochet, drawing and art. Her passion for wellness eventually led her to establish Luxe Lymph, combining her nursing background with her interest in healing and self-care.
Whether she is caring for a baby in the NICU, supporting education in the Philippines or contributing to her local community, Natasha’s ultimate goal is to give others an opportunity to thrive.
Parisse Rondael Orig (NSW)
IR and Politics Student & Hospitality Worker
At just 19, Parisse Rondael Orig already has ambitions that reach onto the international stage.
Growing up in Mindanao, Parisse witnessed the realities of living in a region affected by conflict and instability. Moving to Australia subsequently exposed her to another perspective — including the stark disparities between different communities and social classes.
Those experiences have shaped her desire to use education and her voice to create change.
Parisse is currently pursuing a future in diplomacy and international law, with the ambition of eventually working with the United Nations. Whether through fieldwork or education, she hopes to help people understand realities that they may never have experienced themselves.
Away from politics and international affairs, Parisse has a creative side, with interests spanning fashion, makeup, reading, art, journaling and writing. She is also an avid football fan — proudly supporting Arsenal — and plays rugby league.
Iyara Ysabel Castillo (NSW)
Law & Arts (Politics & Theatre) Student / Social Media Assistant at UNSW
Iyara Ysabel Castillo’s journey across several cities as a child gave her an early appreciation for different cultures and encouraged her to dream big.
Now studying Law and Arts, majoring in Politics and Theatre, Iyara is working towards becoming an immigration lawyer — a career she sees as an opportunity to open doors for people and communities who may otherwise struggle to navigate them.
Being among the first generations in her family to pursue studies abroad has given Iyara a strong appreciation for the opportunities available to her. Rather than taking that privilege for granted, she hopes to use it to help others.
Her Filipino heritage is an important part of that vision. Iyara wants to support Filipinos wherever they are in the world while creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds.
A creative at heart, she is also passionate about modelling and content creation, increasingly transforming those hobbies into a career.
Rochxanne Rante Uy (VIC)
Chef
For Rochxanne Rante Uy, education has played a powerful role in shaping her future.
After moving to Australia as an international student, Rochxanne developed a deep appreciation for the opportunities education can create. Her ambition is to build a successful and meaningful career while continuing to grow as an independent, driven and purposeful woman.
But success, for Rochxanne, is not measured purely by personal achievement.
She hopes to reach a position where she can give back, support causes close to her heart and create opportunities for others — believing that true success is ultimately about the impact a person makes along the way.
In her quieter moments, Rochxanne enjoys writing and journaling, using both as creative outlets to express her thoughts, reflect on her experiences and document her personal growth.
Juliane Rae Patenia (VIC)
Duty Manager
Juliane Rae Patenia sees a pageant crown not as an end goal, but as a platform for action.
Having grown up between the Philippines and Australia and coming from Tagum City, Juliane has experienced first-hand the power of community and bayanihan — the Filipino spirit of people coming together to help one another.
Her ambition is to use her voice and opportunities to celebrate Filipino identity, keep people connected to their roots and create initiatives that bring the community together.
For Juliane, winning a title is only the beginning. She wants to use a platform to preserve culture, support people in need and create meaningful opportunities for Filipino-Australians.
Outside pageantry, she is a 5K runner, makeup enthusiast and content creator, using digital storytelling to showcase her Filipino roots. She also loves bringing people together through traditional Filipino food — and proudly claims a unique talent for spotting a fellow Filipino in virtually any crowd.
Jolina Meryl Yawan Soliven (ACT)
Hotel Duty Manager
Jolina Meryl Yawan Soliven approaches life with a strong sense of purpose and personal values.
Her ambition is to live a fulfilling life — one centred on purpose, personal growth and uplifting others. She hopes to become someone whose life leaves a lasting and positive impression on the people she encounters.
For Jolina, success is ultimately about living according to her values and finding ways to make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life.
Her interests reflect her adventurous side. She recently discovered a love for tennis, while also enjoying travel, exploring new cultures and discovering different cuisines.
When visiting the Philippines, Jolina enjoys freediving, while closer to home she finds joy in the simple pleasure of baking.
Jeramie Joyce Caraang Domingo (ACT)
Government Employee, Department of Trade and Industry / International Student, University of Canberra
Jeramie Joyce Caraang Domingo brings together government, education, creativity and advocacy in her vision for the future.
Her ambition is to champion holistic wellbeing by creating meaningful opportunities for people and communities, while using her platform to support and promote Filipino creatives.
Currently working with the Department of Trade and Industry while studying at the University of Canberra, Jeramie’s professional and academic experiences have given her a broad perspective on community and opportunity.
Away from work and study, she enjoys photography, dancing and table tennis. She also describes herself as someone who enjoys romanticising everyday life in Canberra, while acknowledging the traditional custodianship of Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country.
For Jeramie, creativity and community go hand in hand — and she hopes to use both to create a platform that celebrates people and their potential.
Nine Women. Nine Stories. One Crown.
From hospitals and classrooms to government offices, kitchens, creative studios and community spaces, the Miss Philippines-Australia 2026 finalists represent a new generation of Filipino-Australian women who are ambitious, accomplished and deeply connected to their purpose.
Their stories may be different, but each finalist brings a powerful combination of heritage, determination and a desire to make a difference.
And as the competition builds towards the 2026 coronation, one thing is certain: the next Miss Philippines-Australia will inherit more than a crown — she will inherit a platform, a responsibility and an opportunity to inspire an entire community.
Jason Harris
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