Beauty Queens Are Getting Older— But Not by Much.

The article examines whether age impacts success in beauty pageants, focusing on the 2017 Binibining Pilipinas (Bb. Pilipinas) pageant, where no candidates under 21 competed despite rules allowing ages 17 to 26. Historically, younger winners dominated Miss Universe, with 40 of 65 crowned between 17 and 20, though the average age of winners from 2010–2016 rose to 23.43. The 2017 Bb. Pilipinas candidates averaged 23–24, reflecting a shift toward older, more experienced participants, including returnees and crossover contestants from other pageants. Examples like Pia Wurtzbach and MJ Lastimosa, who won after multiple attempts, highlight perseverance over youth. The piece contrasts this with the Philippines’ past success with younger winners like Gloria Diaz (18) and Margarita Moran (19). It suggests that while youth remains a cultural obsession, pageant dynamics favor seasoned candidates, reducing chances for younger novices. The article concludes that age statistics are observational, not definitive, but the trend leans toward older contestants in Bb. Pilipinas, challenging the notion that youth guarantees a crown.