Arnold Vegafria confident of Miss Asia Pacific International 2026 bet

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Talent manager and ALV Pageant Circle Pres. Arnold Vegafria is confident that his bet to the 2026 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant, Gabrielle Galapia, will deliver another crown.

One of the most prolific national directors in the Philippines faced members of the media after Galapia score two major wins at the pageant’s recent Preliminary Competition and expressed optimism for his delegate’s chances of clinching the title.

“She knows that I believe in her. I really fought for her, and I chose her to compete in Miss Asia Pacific International, and it’s my personal choice,” Vegafria responded to Inquirer Entertainment’s question.

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Galapia was Second Princess at the 2026 Miss World Philippines pageant in February, a national competition that he organizes every year. And in June, he rewarded the Kapampangan lass with her own national title.

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READ: Where in Cebu have Miss Asia Pacific International candidates gone to

When ALV Pageant Circle threw a Coronation Gala to award several national crowns to new titleholders, Galapia was presented as the new Miss Asia Pacific International Philippines, inheriting the title from Anita Rose Gomez who finished second in last year’s international competition.

“She’s very prepared. And all of us are prepared for this competition, and we’re hoping that we can get the crown in a few days. And I’m very positive that she can deliver for the Philippines,” Vegafria said.

Aside from topping the two important segments of the preliminaries, Galapia also amassed the most votes in the poll among members of the media for “Darling of the Press.” She also placed second in the National Costume Competition.

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She is hoping to sustain the Philippines’ remarkable record in the international competition and add one more victory to the already impressive five-crown haul that the country has recorded as the best-performing nation in the global tilt.

The 2026 Miss Asia Pacific International Grand Coronation Night, the culmination of the pageant’s 58th anniversary edition, will be held at Mactan Expo in Lapu-Lapu City on Saturday evening, Oct. 10.

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Galapia is up against 37 other aspirants from around the world, all vying for the crown currently held by Isabela Fernandes, last year’s winner from Brazil. /edv