By: Andrea Eleanor Cabaron, Kathlean Pallorina
Photo taken by: Maverick Rhoy De Vera /The LANCE
After four years of radio silence, Mr. & Ms. Letran (MML) made its long-awaited return—and it wasn’t just here to serve glamour and poise. With the theme "Knightly Eco-Elegance," the event turned the spotlight on sustainability and environmental advocacy, proving that beauty isn’t just about looking good. Rather, it's about doing good.
On January 31, 2025, the Colegio Grounds transformed into a runway for change, where contestants strutted not just for a title, but for a cause that actually mattered. And after an evening of stunning recycled-material ensembles, sharp-witted answers, and purpose-driven performances, two names stood tall:
Altaire Joshua Jalbay and Sofia Cornejo, both from the Political and Legal Studies Area, officially became Mr. & Ms. Letran 2024.
While the crown looked pretty on them, the weight of responsibility that came with it? Even heavier.
While the crown symbolizes hundreds of doubt, and victory, the weight of the crown is heavier than the crowd.
A Voice for Change
Beauty pageants often get a bad representation for being all about the glitz, the gowns, and the grand hand waves, but MML 2024 set out to change that narrative. The audience—composed of students, alumni, audiences from different places, and faculty—wasn’t just there to cheer for their favorites; they were there to witness a movement unfold.
For Guilla Mae Dadase, an alumna from Calamba, MML was a golden mic for students to amplify their advocacies.
"For me, I believe na lahat naman may voice. Magandang platform ang beauty pageants lalo na sa mga schools. Kasi may mga Representatives kada department… I believe naman kasi na, all can speak. Magandang platform ang pageant sa school para makapag-represent and mag-voice out."
Meanwhile, Aaliyah Mae Galazan, a 3rd-year Communication student, loved how MML made activism look… Well, fun. Because who said saving the planet had to be boring?
"May mga advocacy. And hindi lang naman siya yung tanging way para mag-promote ng sustainability, ng human rights or whatever. Talagang it's a fun way... Tapos nagkakaisa kasi ‘yung mga tao and competitive siya. And ‘yun ‘yung I think maganda sa pageant na may theme na relevant sa mundo."
The competition wasn’t just about who could talk the talk, but who could walk the walk—literally. Contestants brought forward real-world advocacies, from indigenous rights to environmental policies, making it clear that pageantry isn’t just about being a queen or king—it’s about being a leader.
Guia Ysabella Villadrez, a 3rd-year Psychology student, raised an interesting point: if we’re pushing for eco-consciousness, shouldn’t we also push for inclusive beauty standards?
"I think magiging platform po siya if we're pushing po for actual, ‘yung beauty standards po na diverse. Kasi when you look at them po right now, parang pare-parehas. Hindi naman po sa pare-parehas, pero similar po ‘yung mga itsura nila. So how can we advocate for real change when mayroon pa rin pong mga ibang, well, let’s say, beautiful people na hindi na-overlook po din po?"
Certainly, if we’re advocating for change, let’s make sure we’re fighting for all forms of representation—not just for the environment, but for all kinds of beauty.
She did, however, give props to the contestants who practiced what they preached, showing up in outfits made from recycled materials—because nothing says commitment like actually wearing your advocacy.
When a Beauty Queen Talks, You Listen
Now, if there’s anyone who knows the power of beauty with purpose, it’s Ms. Priscilla Meirelles de Almeida-Estrada—a Brazilian model, former Miss Earth, and judge for the night. And let’s just say, she was impressed.
"Yeah, I think it's very in-theme… when it comes to trying to transform our society to be more eco-friendly and to spread awareness about the current state of the environment and the consequences that our bad habits will bring in the future. So, I think it's a very valid initiative of Letran."
She made one thing clear: pageants are not just for show. They can be powerful platforms for real change—if done right.
"Society in general, just as people, we love to look and stare at beautiful things, and I think there is nothing more beautiful than a human being. So, appreciation of beauty, of course, it's a wonderful platform to call attention to what really matters, because beauty without substance is nothing."
Beauty without purpose is just decoration.
She emphasized that the Philippines—one of the most polluted countries in the world—needed this kind of movement more than ever.
"Small changes can create a huge effect, not only nationally, but internationally, when it comes to creating a real impact in the world setup when it comes to ecosystems and advocating for the environment. I'm really happy with the initiative of Letran. I salute everybody for doing so."
Then came her real talk moment—a wake-up call to the Letran community about the urgency of sustainability.
"The Philippines is one of the most polluted countries in the world. We're so small. We're an island. And still, we have a huge population, and pollution is really like a number one issue, aside from poverty."
She pointed out that poverty and environmental destruction go hand in hand, and that the only real solution? Education.
"Education is really the solution for everything. And when you're educating your citizens, your students, your kids, you can initiate real change, not only in terms of the environment, in terms of conserving Mother Nature, but especially when it comes to poverty. Because education is a number one solution for us to win over poverty."
At this point, she made it crystal clear: If Letranites truly wanted to live sustainably, they had to start by making smarter choices daily—not just during a pageant.
"A population, a country, a nation that is educated… they know what they're doing, and they're going to definitely start to change and make real change."
And if the victorious Miss Earth advocates for it, we know that it is a critical matter to set ourselves on.
MML 2024: A Statement, Not Just a Spectacle
At the end of the night, Altaire Joshua Jalbay and Sofia Cornejo weren’t just handed crowns—they were handed a mission. Their reign is about more than just posing for photos; it’s about using their platform to push for real change.
This year’s Mr. & Ms. Letran wasn’t just a comeback—it was a statement. A statement that beauty, intelligence, and advocacy can co-exist. A statement that Letranites are more than just students—we’re changemakers.
And if there’s one thing this year’s MML taught us, it’s this: saving the planet never looked this good.
The Veil Behind the Throne
What more is there to see? After all, thrones and crowns represent: power, authority, grace, and dignity. Behind those lavish smiles and piercing gazes, we cannot deny that being at the spotlight of cheers reflects a hundred unified voices for a specific purpose.
But, even before victors are considered victorious, the weight of struggle marks an identity to what made winning significantly remarkable and all worth-it.
“Honestly, There were moments when I thought about backing out, overwhelmed by the uncertainties, but I pushed through, and that’s when everything turned around. What made this journey unforgettable for me was the unwavering support I received from the Political and Legal Studies cluster, ultimately, it made winning feel even more meaningful,” said Ms. Letran 2024, Sofia Cornejo.
“Representing my cluster with pride was the victory itself,” she added.
Because apparently, what matters more is not just how they walk with beauty and grace, it's about who they walk through this journey with.
“Memorable siya dahil sa experience, the friends made along the way, the camaraderie na meron with other candidates…kahit hindi pa ako nanalo ng award, feel na feel ko na ang pagkapanalo sa support ng mga students, professors, and mga friends na nando’n. More than the award, as I stepped into the stage, I felt that I already won as I also prayed to Lord,” Mr. Letran 2024, Joshua Jalbay, stated.
With their brilliant and aware minds that ignite them to push forward with their advocacies, winning the pageant empowers both Mr. and Ms. Letran 2024 as they begin strong for the year 2025.
As this year’s candidates have walked through their advocacy while embodying eco-elegance as the main propaganda for the platform, it has extended to the mass how the sustainability campaign proves its relevance and necessity to current times.
With the prevalent issues of overconsumption, consumerism, climate change and global warming, creatively becoming an advocate of it imparts wisdom and grace to the spectators of the crowd.
But—what people await is how these reigning title holders remain remarkable in their own advocacies, truly will they?
For Ms. Letran 2024, Sofia Cornejo, who even beyond pageants have always been an advocate for education and actively worked with volunteer groups around Manila that supports children within the spectrum of deprived of education:
“With or without a crown, being a true queen means continuing to advocate for causes that matter. It’s about making a difference.”
With education in mind, it is important to know that education is not simply there to be stored, it is through actualization that makes them empowered people.
“Advocating simple things like plastic free and toxic free materials by using Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and exercising these in our daily lives avoids harming our environment. Actualization through education is very important in order to attain the results we’re aiming for. We need to showcase to other people that we are doing something for the environment so that we would achieve sustainability, inviting them to do the same.”
It is by simple things that once accumulated, create a lasting impact. Even so, education could be the most cliché idea of how to attain environmental goals, but it is what people lack interest the most, to learn and apply.
While people are busy dancing in the rhythm of their own fate, there are those who advocate for education, advocating change. Education is not simply a tool to reshape individual lives. It is a powerful force that molds societies, challenges injustices, and paves the way for a sustainable future.
The Veil Behind the Throne. As much as we romanticize the glory of wearing the crown, it is the author of the legacy who clapped behind the veil.
With a creative platform for the propaganda of Eco-Elegance that aims to make the students aware, included, and be part of the advocacy of Sustainability; how was this event of the year made momentous?
“After several years, ngayon na lang nagkaroon ulit ng Mr. and Ms. Letran. It was pressuring from the start kasi kami na lang gagawa ng Mr. and Ms. Letran ulit. But what makes it so memorable is the actual experience of the process of THE pageantry. The candidates were not only exposed to the actual coronation, there were activities that made them walk the talk of their advocacies. It made us feel like we were doing this not just for the competition but also for the purpose of achieving sustainability,” said Francesca Manimbo, the co-project head of Mr. and Ms. Letran 2024.
After a long time since its last event, it came back strong with a greater purpose. With the on-going numerous prevailing issues that could have been addressed to foster broader engagement, indeed, there is one solid ground that unites all. It is the Ecological issues that we are racing towards.
“The learning that the candidates learn in the pageantry should not stop with Mr. and Ms. Letran. But they should also be able to embody what they learned when they go out in the real world,” she added.
As it means, what we are offered inside the walls of our classroom and inside the Colegio is not the same as what’s beyond. As Letranites who are the future of the Philippines, of the world, we ought to be responsible for the greater purpose.
“As Letranites, we’re not supposed to be just good students for our academics, but also good stewards of the Earth because we are Letranites who are supposed to be ready for a relevant role in our world,” Manimbo stated.
The 2024 Mr. and Ms. Letran was not simply enjoyed with beauty, creativity, mind, cheers, and confidence. What made this event fruitful is that even after its delays, it has extended boundless opportunities of growth outside of Colegio.
With such empowering and course-changing moments for the candidates, whether they walked the final walk or not, these are the legacies they left behind engraved in their life and their journey in Letran.
As for those who filled the crowd, they are about to take transformative steps as they walk through life, creating a harmonious noise of change—not just because they should, but because they can.
Undoubtedly, to be given a platform is a privilege, but to be an inspiration is a responsibility that extends far beyond the spotlight. Afterall, change makers are remembered not only for their names, but for the honor of the legacy they left behind.