Pageantry holds a special place in the Philippines, where countless Filipinos eagerly follow beauty contests and view them as a celebration of talent, grace, and cultural pride. It is no wonder that a Filipino leader is now making waves beyond our borders, launching ambitious new ventures in the international beauty scene. Driven by a shared love for pageantry and a desire to empower women worldwide, they aim to extend the Philippines’ spirit of excellence and resilience to the Middle East and Asia.
United in Purpose and Vision
Recently, XPEDITION Magazine hosted a launch event at The Grand Hausse in Quezon City, drawing a diverse group of professionals from media, fashion, diplomacy, and advocacy. The gathering was titled “XPEDITION Presents: The Miss Universe Yugen Franchises” and marked an important milestone in the growth of the pageant industry.
Introducing New Leadership
The event showcased the team behind the Miss Universe franchises in Bahrain, Pakistan, and Egypt. These new chapters are managed by the House of Yugen, under the leadership of Josh Yugen, who is both President and National Director. His vision involves reshaping the role of beauty contests as platforms for influence and cultural exchange.
Key figures announced at the conference included:
- Josh Yugen, Owner and President
- Arci Muñoz, Head of Women Empowerment
- Dr. Jonas Apostol, Co-National Director of Miss Universe Bahrain and Official Dental Aesthetic Partner
- Dr. Gwen Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross and Head of Charity
- Deborah Kugler, Creative Director of CASA OFFICIALE
- Xian Lim, Head of Personality Development
- Ian Borromeo, Vice President for Operations and Communication
- Erica Robin, Co-National Director of Miss Universe Pakistan
- Evlin Khalifa, Co-National Director of Miss Universe Bahrain
- Mohra Tantawy, Head of Culture
- Kosh Hewage, Deputy Director of Miss Universe Bahrain
- Mercy Maddox, Head of Training and Development
- Maureen Montagne, Head of Beauty
- Gwen Fourniol, Head of Social Impact and Candidate Development
Each member who was able to attend spoke passionately about how their roles aim to redefine beauty contests as platforms for social change, cultural pride, and empowerment.
Building Connections and Future Goals
Following the introductions, attendees engaged in a lively Q&A session with the press. The event closed with a private brunch at The Grand Hausse, which served as the official venue and partner for this occasion.
Josh Yugen expressed his vision clearly, “This is more than a press event—it’s a movement. We are building a global sisterhood of empowered women ready to lead with compassion, intelligence, and authenticity.”
His words reflect a purposeful approach, emphasizing that the franchises were built with intention rather than privilege. “From nothing, we created a platform where every woman’s voice can rise and echo across the world,” he said.
Looking Ahead
The partnership between XPEDITION Magazine and House of Yugen signals a shift in how beauty competitions are perceived. They aim to serve as pathways not just to crowns but to meaningful influence worldwide. This new era in pageantry celebrates not only appearance but also purpose, strength, and cultural exchange, inspiring women everywhere to step forward confidently.
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