After the Miss Universe Organization lifted age restrictions from its pageants in September 2023, 69-year-old Joyce Pilarsky Cubales received overwhelming support from friends and family who knew of her lifelong dream to become a beauty queen. Encouraged by their suggestion, Cubales embraced the opportunity to participate in the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 competition as one of the 15 candidates representing Quezon City.
Miss Universe Philippines acknowledged her presence, stating on its Facebook page, “Meet Jocelyn Cubales. At 69 years old, she believes that the younger generation can learn a lot from her life experiences, most especially grit. See her give light to the universe.” The coronation night for the Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City title is scheduled for February 5.
Jocelyn Cubales’s husband, singer-actor Marc Cubales, shared that her motivation for joining the pageant is to inspire other Filipino women to pursue their passions and achieve their dreams. If she secures the crown, Cubales will make history as the first Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City and the oldest contestant in the beauty pageant.
The landmark decision by the Miss Universe Organization to remove age restrictions for all its pageants, starting in 2024, signifies a significant shift in standards. Despite the recent inclusivity in height, size, and age, participants still face varied opinions and criticism. The positive changes in criteria are acknowledged, but perspectives on the evolving nature of the pageant remain diverse.
