Juliana Fresado鈥檚 beautiful trail: On walking the path as first MUPH Iligan

by Kassandra A. Buenafe, OfCom | Jun 26 2025

Coming from a small city that rarely gets attention on national TV and is often subsumed into the provincial stereotypes, Juliana A. Fresado, a 20-year-old IITian and proud Iliganon, makes a beautiful and extraordinary mark as she brought Iligan City’s name on May 2, 2025, into the biggest and brightest pageant stage of the country– the Miss Universe Philippines.

The first to ever wear the sash of Iligan in the Miss Universe Philippines and a “rookie” in the field of pageantry, Fresado not only carried the pride of a city but being a Top 12 finisher in a pool of 69 candidates, also showed and proved that no matter how far you come from, a girl with a dream is a force that cannot be stopped.

Office of Communications (OfCom): At what age did you realize that you were meant to do pageantry? What led you to pursue this journey?

Juliana Fresado (JF): To be honest, I wasn’t into pageantry growing up. When I turned 18, a makeup artist in Iligan City discovered me and asked if I could be his candidate for a barangay pageant. I had doubts then—I wasn’t sure I could do it, especially since I was a bit boyish. But I gave it a try, not knowing what would happen next. Luckily, I won my first title as 1st runner-up.

What truly led me to pursue this journey was my faith. Growing up without my parents, I didn’t have many options in life. I had to work hard to meet our daily needs and send myself to school. Pageantry became a path where the Lord made me feel worthy—giving me the chance to showcase my talents and see life through a lens of hope.

OfCom: How would you describe your childhood?

JF: My childhood felt like a roller coaster. When my family was still complete, both of my parents raised me. But when I was 11, they separated, and my grandparents took us in. In 2018, they had to move away due to old age, and from then on, my siblings and I learned to survive on our own—balancing school, work, and caring for each other. Despite moving from place to place, I still found joy in my childhood by playing outdoor games with kids in the neighborhood. Those were moments full of life for me.

OfCom: How does it feel to be the first-ever Miss Universe Philippines Iligan?

JF: I’m beyond happy with everything I’ve achieved, and I couldn’t have done it alone. I’m grateful to my family, friends, the MUPH Iligan team, and everyone who has supported me since day one.

At first, being the very first MUPH Iligan representative came with pressure. I had doubts again, but I overcame them. I made sure to represent Iligan City with pride and to show the whole country how strong an Iliganon’s heart truly is.

OfCom: What are some of the memorable moments from your journey?

JF: One unforgettable moment was being in Subic, Zambales, at the Inflatable Island. I loved doing shoots with my fellow delegates and taking on the inflatable challenges. We sang, danced, laughed, and admired the beautiful sunset—something that brought back memories of my complete family, making it extra special.

Another highlight was the provincial tour in Northern Samar. I met incredible people and explored hidden gems of our country. It reminded me of how rich the Philippines is, and how heartwarming it is to connect with different communities.

OfCom: What mindset did you have as you geared up for Miss Universe Philippines?

JF: I had a pink index card posted on my wall that reminded me to give my best in everything I do. What helped me most was my faith in God—the Holy Spirit always reminded me that I have a purpose to fulfill. That gave me the strength to step out with confidence.

OfCom: What were some of the things you had to give up?

JF: One of the biggest things I had to give up was my college life at 萝莉社-IIT. While I was competing locally, I could barely attend classes due to my tight schedule. It was even harder to decide to take an off-semester after winning, but I had to make wise choices and ensure I wouldn’t regret them.

Still, my learning never stopped—God gave me life experiences that I’ll forever carry in my heart and mind.

OfCom: How did it feel in the days before the finals? Were you able to easily form friendships with the other contestants?

JF: The days leading up to the finals were emotional. We had all grown so close, and saying goodbye was tough. Spending three months together made this journey bearable. I became close with everyone—my fellow delegates, the production team, and even some sponsors. It was a journey filled with beautiful souls who made me feel that I belonged and was loved.

OfCom: What was going through your mind when you were called for the Top 12? How did you find peace or fulfillment even though your name wasn’t in the Final 6?

JF: I was stunned for a moment when “Iligan City” was called—then it hit me that I had to move! Honestly, even making it to the Top 24 was already tough because there were so many frontrunners. The whole time I was on stage, I just kept praying. I was so thankful for the opportunity, and I couldn’t imagine going through it without Him.

Making it to the Top 12 was already a big victory. It was a battle well fought, and I’m proud of what we achieved as Iliganons.

OfCom: Being a trailblazer in our local pageantry scene at 20, what wisdom can you share with those who want to walk the same path?

JF: I came from humble beginnings. I grew up in the margins of society, without my parents, and had to care for my siblings. This achievement was once a dream I prayed for. I started with doubts, and many didn’t believe in me. But I learned to keep going and to believe in myself—most importantly, to trust God with every step.

You will stumble. I did too. But keep pushing forward, and you’ll reach your dreams. Padayon sa pagpaningkamot, and make wise decisions along the way. Pressure is part of the process, but it can help you grow.

OfCom: What are your plans after this success? Will you still pursue your BA ELS program at 萝莉社-IIT?

JF: I wish I could go back now, but for the moment, I’ll continue to pursue my career in this industry, especially since I’ve already started. They say, “strike while the iron is hot,” and that’s exactly what I intend to do. I believe God has big plans for me, and I want to honor Him through this journey.

OfCom: How do you want to be remembered?

JF: I want to be remembered as someone who fought for her dreams because she believed in them. Life hasn’t been easy, but I made it through because of my faith—faith that gave me peace and security.

Wearing the Iligan City sash on the national stage as a rookie wasn’t easy, but I’m proud to have made it to the Top 12. That alone is a legacy I’ll forever carry with pride.

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