An architecture student from the town of Anilao was crowned Miss Iloilo 2026, besting 11 other candidates at the Grand Coronation Night on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Zestah Shalom Espinosa, a 21-year-old BS Architecture student of the University of San Agustin, became the sixth Ilongga to win the coveted crown.
“My heart is so full, and I’m honestly still trying to take everything in. Thank you to everyone who supported me, believed in me, prayed for me, and never let me feel alone throughout this journey,” she said.
“I am truly overwhelmed by the love that continues to pour in—it means more to me than I could ever put into words…This crown is not just mine—it belongs to all of you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” the Ilongga beauty queen added.
Aside from the title, Espinosa also took home the Best in Gown, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Introduction Video awards.
During the question and answer portion of the pageant, Espinosa was asked this question: “If an llongga stands before the world with no crown, no title, no reward, only heartfelt beauty, how would you convince society that she is already beyond excellent as a woman?”
“She is already beyond excellent as a woman because she is an llongga. An Ilongga with a heartfelt beauty not just seen but felt. An Ilongga with a quiet strength, with her people, her story, her identity I don’t need to convince the world anymore. Because an llongga, she is already a standard. And ladies and gentlemen, every llongga is a heartfelt beauty beyond excellence,” she answered.
Meanwhile, Patricia Lynn Beerda of La Paz district in Iloilo City, Lorraine Manguiat of Tubungan, Angel Ann Teruel of Pototan, and Jessica Mae Gatungay of Guimbal were named Heartfelt Queens.
As this year’s Miss Iloilo winner, Espinosa will be Iloilo City’s official representative to Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH), one of the most prestigious beauty pageant in the country.
Like her predecessor, Miss Iloilo 2025 Karen Nicole Piccio, Espinosa is also a pageant veteran. She joined several local pageants and last year, she represented Guimaras province in Miss Pearl of the Orient.
The Miss Iloilo 2026 panel of judges included Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo, Beauty-queen maker Jonas Gaffud, businessman Jojo Bragais, and former Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc (IFFI) president Joe Marie Layson Jr.
Held at the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Cultural Center, the Grand Coronation Night was hosted by reigning Miss Eco International Alexie Mae Brooks, Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves, and Ryl Nuñez. IMT
