If there’s anything you’re bound to learn from a young Filipina in the world of pageantry, it’s that you can’t keep a good queen down—especially one who was born for the big stage.
Take it from Cherline Dalangin, one of the 24 captivating candidates vying for the crown at this year’s Miss World Philippines (MWPH) pageant.
Standing at only five feet, one of the shortest contestants in MWPH history, Cherline strives to represent Valenzuela City as an embodiment of confidence and compassion—ready to tell impactful stories that help make a difference and empower Filipinos from all walks of life.
Photo: Adam Legaspi, Power House Studios
Over the past few months, Cherline has embraced her booked, busy, and blessed life in pageantry to gear up for the Miss World Philippines Coronation Night on February 3, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. She has taken her passion for communication, creativity, and public speaking to various new heights, from televised interviews to press presentations and major brand collaborations on social media.
Amid all the glitz, glamor, and eventful preparations for her first nationwide competition, Cherline makes sure to dedicate every chapter of her journey to her loved ones, who’ve supported her before pageantry even crossed her mind. Our chat with the beauty queen and storyteller at heart highlights the valuable life lessons that she can’t wait to impart next month at MWPH’s much-awaited Coronation Night.
Destined to Be Onstage
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Cherline may be a relatively new face in the pageantry world, but she’s no stranger to the thrills of performing onstage. She had her first taste of the spotlight at the tender age of three.
“I remember being asked to speak at my nursery graduation. And when I turned four, I headlined my own play, taking on a dual role as a mother and a daughter,” she vividly recalled. As these special activities evolved into extracurricular speaking roles and campus-wide hosting gigs, it gradually dawned on her that the stage was her second home—a limitless space that she was destined to occupy.
It didn’t take long before Cherline’s penchant for pageantry came about. Through the years, her family, friends, and even strangers at the salon inspired her to turn her passion into a profession that also brought honor to the country.
“They all asked me, ‘Are you a beauty queen? Why don’t you give it a shot?’” she shared. “Which made me think, is the universe trying to cosmically send me a message that maybe I should finally go for it?”
Cherline took her time pondering the opportunity. And when she finally signed up for Miss Grand Philippines – Quezon City, her first step into the pageant world, she knew she was made for nothing less than a life fit for a queen.
A Fulfilling Chance to Take Up Space
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Cherline has powered through a whirlwind of firsts since pursuing pageantry. After joining her first city-wide competition last year, where she remarkably won first runner-up and bagged the People’s Choice Award, she’s now taking flight at her first nationwide pageant with her fellow MWPH aspirants.
As the dutiful representative of Valenzuela City, where she also resides, Cherline’s exposure to larger crowds and communities came with a newfound pressure to step up her game. She pairs her daily health check-ins and pasarela training with heartfelt affirmations that reflect on her purpose as a queen for (and with) the Filipino people.
“Every day, I convince myself that I’m worthy of being onstage, taking up space, and simply using my voice,” she explained. “A pageant is ultimately a competition. You’ll second-guess yourself sometimes. But as long as you persevere for your goals and core values, you can stay grounded despite the fear.”
Cherline carries herself with utmost grace and eloquence everywhere she goes. Still, her winning moments aren’t void of doubt that stems from her stature. Some major pageants, such as Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH), have already lifted their height requirements, but there remains a stigma surrounding tallness and shortness among beauty queens that she aims to break.
“Others might find me a bit too ambitious because of my height,” she firmly admitted, “but I want every Filipina to turn their flaws and inhibitions into their own superpowers! If I, a proud five-foot queen, can do it, so can they.”
Beyond the Stage and Spotlight
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It won’t be long before more Filipinos will recognize Cherline as an up-and-coming beauty queen. Beyond the gowns, sashes, and crowns, however, lies a “storyteller through and through” whose passion for creative disciplines has shone in every way imaginable.
Prior to entering pageantry, Cherline has been actively involved in various fields of communication, particularly journalism and creative writing. It goes without saying that she has come a long way from her fruitful days as a junior reporter and campus journalist.
“I still get excited whenever someone interviews me! It reminds me of everything I’ve done as a writer and reporter. Journalism will always hold a very dear place in my heart, and I’d still love to pursue it all my life. I also want to connect with [more media practitioners] in a way that values their work and practice,” she shared, grateful for the opportunities that the pageant world has given her to showcase her many passions equally.
Cherline has also explored public relations, advertising, and production through her collaborations and projects in MWPH. She couldn’t be happier to have found an ideal avenue for all the valuable skills she picked up during her time as a Communication major at Ateneo de Manila University.
“Competing in pageants also means making a truthful and sincere impact on the public. Thanks to what I learned as a Communication student, I can make meaningful efforts to reach wider audiences,” Cherline said of her college journey. “I’m learning how to connect with my supporters instead of waiting for them to approach me. More than anything, I want my words to reach and inspire as many people as possible.”
With her lifelong affinity for music, art, philosophy, and fashion, it’s safe to say that Cherline is already well on her way there.
Contributing to the Bigger Picture
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Every year, the world recognizes the Philippines as a “pageant powerhouse,” home to some of the strongest and most multifaceted candidates who’ve made a lasting impact on international competitions. Moreover, pageants have gained prominence as a pop culture phenomenon that sheds light on thought-provoking global issues and trends.
Now actively contributing to this dynamic space, Cherline has made it her mission to emphasize the boundlessness of Filipina beauty through her MWPH journey. She firmly believes in everyone’s freedom and right to take up space, bring their dreams to fruition, and create ripples of positive change in the process.
“I want young Filipinas of my stature, who also look like me, to identify with my story and inspire one another to reach their dreams, whether they’re in pageantry, too, or any other field,” Cherline explained. She established this goal early on, drawing inspiration from one of her role models, Stacey Gabriel, who finished first runner-up at MUPH in 2024.
She isn’t just rooting for aspiring beauty queens, but for Filipinos across all generations who grapple with hindrances to their personal growth. If there’s one thing she wants her fellow dreamers and go-getters to remember, it’s that “being beautiful, in every sense of the word, means being true to yourself. And being a beauty queen means consistently working towards the best version of yourself.”
ALSO READ: Nadine Lustre Undergoes Pageant Training—Here’s Why
Will you be tuning in to this year’s Miss World Philippines Coronation Night? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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