Miss Universe Philippines organization has sent pageant fanatics abuzz as they announced that the minimum height criteria has been removed as the requirement for the qualification for candidates. The official search is on for the successor of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo.

On its official social media, the organization listed its requirements to qualify for the 2021 batch of Miss Universe Philippines delegates such as being a Filipino citizen and a Philippine passport holder. The applicants should also be at least 18 years of age and still under 28 years old at the time of the pageant. They should also be female and have never been married or given birth.

Miss Universe Australia 2020 Maria Thattil was also happy on hearing the news from the Philippines, citing her own experience in her country where she was ‘never encouraged to ever perceive it as a barrier.’ Maria stands 5’3 tall and made it to the Top 10 of Miss Universe 2020.

“Miss Universe is a powerful global ambassador. All the delegates are too, and have the opportunity to ignite global change for GOOD. Look at me - at 5’3, I did exactly that. And I did it as the shortest candidate in my cohort, one of the shortest in MU’s seven decade history ... and in the top 10”, Maria said.

The deadline for application is on 24th June 2021. The winner will be the second representative under Miss Universe Philippines, which is headed by Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup and beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud.