Davao City, Philippines – Leadership, grace, grit and genuine service — this year’s batch of Mutya ng Dabaw proves that beauty in Davao City is deeply rooted in purpose.

Carrying the powerful “BORN to LEAD,” this year’s pageant highlights women who are not only poised for the spotlight but are ready to take charge, serve Davao and inspire meaningful change. More than a crown, Mutya ng Dabaw 2026 celebrates leadership shaped by compassion, resilience and action.

The official Top 20 candidates of Mutya ng Dabaw 2026 were formally introduced during the sashing ceremony and press conference held at Abreeza Ayala Malls on Sunday, February 15, 2026. In a celebration witnessed by shoppers, supporters and media, the queens-in-the-making stepped forward not just in heels and smiles but in advocacies close to their hearts.

The candidates now begin their journey to the crown as they prepare for the grand coronation night on March 20, 2026 at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gymnasium, where the next GanDabawenya will be crowned.

Tourism Head, OIC Willenito P. Tormis of the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) said they are bringing Mutya ng Dabaw closer to the people, citing that they conducted the sashing and press conference in a mall rather than in an exclusive event.

“We try to bring Dabawenyos to their Mutyas,” he said.

Tormis said that they will hold the preliminary and interview rounds in public spaces like malls. He added that the candidates will have more community service activities and that there will be something new in the stage and production.

The top 20 candidates will have their preliminaries on March 8 and the coronation night on March 20, 2026.

Meanwhile, get to know each candidate’s background and advocacy as they compete for this year’s prestigious title.

01. CHRISTINE BERMUDO, Matina Crossing

Christine Joy is an accountancy graduate and lawyer who balances her professional life with motherhood, learning every day to lead with patience and love. Her advocacy, the Batang May Boses Program, empowers children through legal literacy, helping them understand their rights and speak up. She embodies a GanDabawenya by combining strength, compassion, and purposeful service, dedicating her time to protecting women and children while carrying Davao’s values in her heart.

02. KHEAN ROSALES, Bucana 76-A

Khean Marie is a devoted working student and team leader who balances her studies and career with poise and independence. She champions mangrove reforestation, teaching communities to protect the environment and inspiring accountability in future generations. Uniquely GanDabawenya, she pairs beauty with purpose, raising her voice for people and causes that matter, showing leadership grounded in service and integrity.

03. MEALEAH WICKERT, Bunawan Proper

Mealeah is a registered pharmacist committed to clinical pharmacy and community-based care. Her advocacy, Botika sa Bukid, provides essential medicines to remote communities while promoting preventive healthcare. What makes her uniquely GanDabawenya is her balance of global exposure and local dedication, bringing both adaptability and humility to serve Davao’s people with leadership and purpose.

04. GEANELLI MENCIAS, Pampanga

Geanelli is a second-year pharmacy student with a vibrant and joyful spirit, who embraces growth through exploration and genuine human connection. Her advocacy focuses on mental health awareness, aiming to break stigma and promote accessible support systems for youth. She is uniquely GanDabawenya because she leads with values, integrity, and compassion, reflecting resilience and discipline in her actions.

05. CERLYN CABANIT, Ma-a

Cerlyn’s life has been shaped by early independence, international experience, and service, from founding a community organization at 13 to working as an OFW and TV news anchor. Through Project Kaalam, she empowers communities with research-driven health literacy. Her uniqueness as a GanDabawenya lies in self-taught leadership, resilience, and quiet confidence, using her experiences to lead with courage and compassion.

06. JOANNA UBAS, Calinan

Joanna Marie is an interdisciplinary studies student, athlete, and field correspondent who uses storytelling to document cultures, histories, and lived experiences across Davao. Her advocacy focuses on amplifying unheard voices through engagement and digital storytelling. She is a uniquely GanDabawenya because she weaves beauty, wears culture, and wields strength—leading with heart, purpose, and service.

07. ANGELA FAMADOR, Lubogan

Angela has represented Davao internationally and coordinated virtual communities, believing in the transformative power of storytelling. She advocates for empowering women and youth through social media literacy, helping them share their narratives and promote their businesses. She embodies GanDabawenya through her compassion and ability to connect with others, bringing warmth, resilience, and hospitality wherever she goes.

08. ROBYNN LEE, Bago Gallera

Robynn Grace is a Biomedical Engineering Technologist with hobbies in Muay Thai, baking, and languages, and a former Mutya ng Dabaw 2020 finalist. She advocates for women’s reproductive health awareness, sharing her personal experience with PCOS to educate and destigmatize women’s health issues. Her natural leadership and fearless approach make her uniquely GanDabawenya, leading with confidence and vision.

09. CHESSA BENDIGO, Bago Aplaya

Maria Chessa is a licensed professional teacher specializing in Social Studies, committed to teaching and inspiring understanding of Filipino identity. Her advocacy, “Edukasyon ang Hustisya Panlipunan,” promotes inclusive quality education for marginalized children. She is uniquely GanDabawenya by leading through empathy and walking alongside her community, embodying service, discipline, and resilience.

10. NICOLE FONTILLAS, Alfonso Angliongto Sr.

Nicole is a registered nurse, black belter, athlete, and domestic abuse survivor. She advocates for domestic abuse survivors through Project Unbreakable, combining martial arts and safe spaces to help them reclaim confidence and strength. Her courage, compassion, and heart for service define her as a GanDabawenya, using personal experience to empower others.

11. ASHLEY BITOY, Catalunan Grande

Ashley is a Bachelor of Science in International Tourism Management student and brand ambassadress who values confidence, authenticity, and purpose. She advocates for redefining beauty beyond societal biases, promoting self-acceptance and empowerment. She is uniquely GanDabawenya by embodying determination, discipline, and principled service, inspiring others to lead with purpose.

12. ZEPHANIAH SENIEL, Indangan

Zephaniah is a student nurse, singer, and photographer who also supports her father’s YouTube channel, iDocu. After surviving a life-changing accident, she embraced living fully and bravely joined her first pageant. Her advocacy focuses on health literacy, making medical knowledge accessible to communities, especially in remote areas. What makes her a true GanDabawenya is her heart for service, love for Davao, and dedication to educating and empowering others with compassion and resilience.

13. SHAILA YLANAN, Cabantian

Shaila Faye is a cum laude Accountancy graduate and CPA who enjoys public speaking and outreach. She advocates for sustainable living through financial literacy, linking responsible financial behavior to environmental protection. Her unique GanDabawenya qualities are courage, discipline, and leadership rooted in purpose and grounded in real-world experience.

14. BRITH LLANES, Tacunan

Brith Stephanie is a writer, bookworm, and makeup artist who has overcome medical challenges. She advocates for women’s health, educating communities about reproductive issues and improving healthcare access. She is uniquely GanDabawenya through resilience, purpose, and leading by example, bringing her experiences into meaningful influence.

15. MARIAH CRUZ, Maa

Mariah is a resilient individual shaped by personal struggles and a broken family. She advocates for single mothers through EmpowerHER Davao, helping them build confidence, independence, and income opportunities. Her GanDabawenya identity stems from authenticity, service, and a heart committed to uplifting her community.

16. ALTALEAH JUEN, Talomo

Altaleah began working at 18, earning her degree in Secondary Education while building a career in customer service and as a former cabin crew. She advocates for mental wellness of married women through the Quiet Strength: SheMatters Mind Project. Her uniqueness as a GanDabawenya comes from her strength, grace, resilience, and dedication to inspiring others while honoring her roots.

17. JAHMELCA TO-ONG, Talomo

Jahmelca is a psychology student, former campus broadcaster, and youth advocate who values discipline, authenticity, and faith. She promotes mental health accessibility programs for youth, creating structured support systems and early intervention workshops. Her GanDabawenya uniqueness lies in her heart to serve, move forward, and lead with grace for the benefit of her community.

18. EANNE MARTINEZ, Talomo Proper

Eanne is a scholar, former regional arnis player, and professional host with cultural exchange experience. Her advocacy, Project Dunong, transforms education into an engaging, independent learning journey for children. She is uniquely GanDabawenya by leading with empathy, integrity, and a commitment to meaningful impact for her community.

19. HANNAH KOLENCHERIL, Buhangin

Hannah Mary, known as “leader girl,” is empathetic and a holistic leader. She advocates for victims of substance use disorders, emphasizing treatment over stigma and building awareness across age groups. She is uniquely GanDabawenya for her headstrong leadership, empathy, and global perspective enriched by life experiences abroad.

20. LAUREANA SANTOS, Bucana 76-A

Laureana is empathetic and a holistic leader. She advocates for victims of substance use disorders, emphasizing treatment over stigma and building awareness across age groups. She is uniquely GanDabawenya for her headstrong leadership, empathy, and global perspective enriched by life experiences abroad.

As the countdown to coronation night begins, one thing is clear: Mutya ng Dabaw 2026, anchored on the theme “BORN to LEAD,” is not just a celebration of beauty, but a powerful movement of empowered women ready to serve, influence, and take the lead in their respective advocacies.

On March 20, the crown will rest on one deserving head — but Davao City already stands proud with 20 remarkable women who embody what it truly means to be GanDabawenya: confident, compassionate and undeniably BORN TO LEAD!