PASAY CITY, Philippines — The Mister Pilipinas Worldwide (MPW) competition has officially transitioned into an independent entity, moving away from its previous status as a “brother contest” of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant.
Organization President Dom Corilla—the first Filipino to win Mister Global in 2024—confirmed during the press presentation of the 2026 candidates on March 11 that the contest is no longer organized by Empire Philippines. While MPW still maintains a partnership with Empire for talent agency services, the management is now led by a revamped team of titleholders aiming to elevate the national male pageant circuit.
New Leadership Team:
- Dom Corilla: President
- Kenneth Cabungcal (2025 Mister Supranational Runner-up): VP for Creatives and Marketing
- Joshua De Sequera (2022 Manhunt International Runner-up): VP for Training and Development
- Justine Ong (2024 Mister International Finalist): VP for Operations and Management
- Kenneth Stromsnes (2024 Manhunt International Runner-up): VP for Training and Development
For the 2026 season, the organization has prioritized “quality over quantity,” selecting a small but elite group of 20 official candidates. Corilla noted that the team plans to project a “classier and bolder” image, focusing on the individual personalities of the contestants.
The finals are scheduled for April 2026, where seven national titleholders will be chosen. These winners will represent the Philippines in major international competitions, including Mister Supranational, Mister International, Mister Global, and Manhunt International.