Recommended Video
Military reservist, beauty queen, and now Miss Philippines at Miss Supranational 2026, Katrina Llegado isn’t just eyeing the crown—she’s rewriting the rulebook, one unapologetic move at a time.
The stars have aligned for the beauty queen, and she is determined to keep them aligned in Poland. In an exclusive sit-down with MEGA, the Taguig-born beauty opens up about her preparations for Miss Supranational 2026: her unwavering commitment to advocacy, the impressive military training that never failed her, and the pieces of advice that shaped the beauty queen.
RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Why Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo Needed to Stand Up
Merging Beauty and Advocacy
While many expected her to chase the Miss Universe Philippines crown, Llegado admitted that she was just as thrilled—if not more—about taking home the Miss Supranational Philippines title. “I know a lot of doors will open for me, so I’m very, very happy with the Supranational title,” the beauty queen shared excitedly.
With so much time to prepare, Llegado is confident that her commitment to advocacy will give her an edge. “Many assume that Miss Supranational is just a modeling competition,” the beauty queen started. “But Supranational is looking for a queen with advocacy, which is why I’m excited to bring Project PEARLS to the global stage.”
Through her beauty brand Clocheflame, Llegado partnered with Project PEARLS to empower mothers in Tondo by giving them a livelihood crafting candles, which are then sold through her brand. Part of the earnings are then given to the families of these mothers. “I’m thinking of more ways we can collaborate—it shouldn’t stop with one product,” Llegado added. “Together with my brand and the organization, we can do something long-term that will make a difference.”
From Military Discipline to Pageant Precision
Llegado graduated in 2023 from the Reserve Force at the Philippine Air Force, inspired by her grandfather’s time in service. “It was life-changing,” she said simply. “And it was a meaningful way to give back to my country.”
What the beauty queen didn’t realize? She was born to serve the country—both in military boots and in heels.
At first glance, the rigid discipline of military training might seem worlds apart from the world of pageantry—but for Llegado, they go hand in hand. If there was one thing she carried from the reserve force to the world of pageantry, it would be the independence she built. “I learned how to stand up on my own and fight my own battles,” she shared.
“Being grounded to the community is the heart of being in military service,” Llegado added, explaining how essential it is to be of help in just a call. “It’s the same with being a beauty queen. When your community needs you, you need to be there in a snap.”
“We become available to everyone—become an inspiration and a voice to others.”
– Katrina Llegado on the similarities of military and pageant training
The Words Behind the Crown
Everyone knows that a beauty queen doesn’t stop with a crown, nor does it fade after the crown has been passed down to the next queen. From the moment she began her pageantry training, she has taken on the responsibility of a role model. The bigger the stage grows, the bigger the scale of the competition, the heavier the crown of responsibility becomes—and Llegado is well-versed in carrying this weight.
And yet, she is not fazed by this responsibility as she is simply focused on herself—a piece of advice that she carried with her during Miss Universe Philippines. There’s no doubt that she’ll carry these words with her to the Supranational stage.
“I don’t have to fit into the standards of society,” Llegado recalled the advice. “I don’t have to please everyone. I’m solely focused on showing who I am and what makes me stand out.” Indeed, this advice hasn’t failed her yet.
“Women deserve a seat at the table,” the beauty queen said in the Q&A segment of Miss Universe Philippines. That statement rings true, and it is a statement that is just as heavy as the crown. Coming from a male-dominated field, she’s unafraid to take up space. It’s a message she fully intends to embody as a beauty queen. “May it be in the military, business, or politics, whatever voice we have as women, these are voices that echo in the universe,” Llegado declared passionately.
“We know what we want. We have the power to voice it out boldly and to inspire others—both men and women—to do the same.”
– Katrina Llegado on empowering women
In many ways, fate seems to be on the side of the reservist-turned-beauty queen. Despite the change of course, her military training wasn’t left behind—it became an unexpected advantage in her pageant journey. From advocacy to discipline, Llegado is proof that a beauty queen wears many crowns. And when she steps on the Miss Supranational stage, she won’t just be competing—she’ll be commanding.
Photographer JERICK SANCHEZ. Art Direction by ANDREW ENCAPAS and BRIE VENTURA. Styling by ROKO ARCEO assisted by ERICA TEROL. Makeup by TEAM JIM RYAN ROSS. Hairstyling by CULTURE SALON. Sittings Editor MIA CASTRO
Special thanks to MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES and EMPIRE/MERCATOR TALENT AGENCY
