"Mutya ng Pilipinas," one of the longest-running prestigious beauty competitions in the Philippines, launches its search for exceptional Filipinas to vie for the Mutya crown. The finalists will be flown in to Puerto Princesa, Palawan – this year’s pageant host city – on November 27 for pre-pageant activities leading to the coronation night on December 7.

The contest is open to natural-born Filipino female citizens aged 17 to 24 years old, single and never been married, with a minimum height of 5’5", and at least a high school graduate. She must have a good moral character and epitomizes a true Filpina – charming, beautiful inside out, confident, graceful and intelligent. Interested parties should accomplish and submit the entry form together with the required documents, and pass the preliminary screening. The preliminary screenings in Manila will be happening on October 18, 19, 25 and 26, and November 7 and 8. There will also be regional screenings in Cebu and Puerto Princesa this October. The final screening will be done on November 15 and 16

Contestants will vie for the following much-coveted titles: Mutya ng Pilipinas – International, Mutya ng Pilipinas – Tourism Puerto Princesa and Mutya ng Pilipinas – Overseas Communities. Major titlists will be sent to international beauty pageants such as Miss Asia Pacific-International, Miss Tourism International, Tourism Queen of the Year and Miss Intercontinental.

The Mutya ng Pilipinas – International and Mutya ng Pilipinas – Tourism Puerto Princesa stand to win P 200,000 cash each, while Mutya ng Pilipinas – Overseas Communities will be getting US$ 2,000. Two runners-up will be given P 50,000 each.