Miss FIT Philippines contestant Malka Shaver from Dumaguete City is a pageant veteran. She was crowned 2014 Miss Dumaguete and 2017 Miss Mandaue, and finished second in the 2018 Miss Manila pageant. She finished in the Top 25 of the 2019 Binibining Pilipinas pageant./CONTRIBUTED

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the global landscape, a new national beauty pageant hopes to highlight what it takes to navigate the “new normal” caused by the international health crisis.

“Good physical, emotional and mental health and strength are important for us to become better people inside and out, to strive for our goals,” Louise Theunis, national director of the Miss FIT Philippines pageant, told the Inquirer in an online interview.

“FIT” stands for “face,” “intelligence,” and “tone” (toned body), according to the organizers.

She said the competition wishes to emphasize “wholistic fitness” because “total fitness is taking a more profound role in fighting the pandemic, making this pageant more relevant than ever.”

Twenty-four aspirants from around the country have been chosen to compete in the purely virtual pageant.

“The official Miss FIT Philippines candidates will be competing in various categories including swimwear and evening gown competitions, fitness challenge and, of course, the question-and-answer portion,” Theunis shared.

Miss FIT Philippines delegate from Iloilo City Karen Nicole Piccio was crowned Miss Philippines-Ecotourism in the 2019 Miss Philippines Earth pageant./CONTRIBUTED

Various virtual activities on personality development, public speaking, stress management, skin care, nutrition, and exercise are also scheduled to help the candidates become better versions of themselves, the national director continued.

The organizers have yet to announce the competition’s final date, but the winner is set to take home P100,000 in cash, while the four runners-up will receive a total of P140,000.

“The Miss FIT Philippines queens must have what it takes to be a good role model to other women, to bring the essence of the Miss FIT Philippines advocacy with them during their reign as they inspire and empower others to be fit,” Theunis said.

The pageant’s advocacy, she said, centers on holistic fitness, “defined as good physical, emotional and mental health and strength of the empowered woman. The winners will reign for a year until the next staging of the national competition, which is expected to be a live event next year.

The 2020 Miss FIT pageant is staged by health and wellness brand Ultra, together with ProMedia Productions.