Ara Arida | Photo by @kimmontesphoto

Ariella “Ara” Arida is the newly appointed National Director of Miss Universe Philippines. Best known for her stunning performance in Miss Universe 2013 where she finished as the third runner-up, Ara now takes on a crucial role that will shape the journey of aspiring beauty queens in the country.

Ara’s new position places her at the forefront of selecting, training, and mentoring the country’s representatives for the prestigious Miss Universe stage. It is a challenge she embraces wholeheartedly, acknowledging the responsibility and immense opportunity that come with the title. “I'm more focused on the girls. I'm overseeing them. I'm helping them with their training and events as well. And of course, I'm helping pick our best delegate possible to represent Miss Universe Philippines,” she told Metro.Style.

Photo from @araarida

Her duties extend far beyond coaching candidates—she is also heavily involved in organizing events, coordinating sponsorships, and keeping an eye on the entire production. Leading a national pageant organization requires her to be well-versed in all aspects of the business while remaining deeply connected to the delegates. “Actually, it's really a big, big job,” she admitted. “With all the sponsor events, with all the production, where all the girls are involved, I'll be part of those, and I'll be guiding them through their journey.”

Having been involved with the organization in various capacities—first as a judge in 2020 and later in 2023—Ara has cultivated a close relationship with the team, making her transition into this leadership role a natural and well-earned progression.

“They asked me if I'm open to the possibility of being the National Director. Actually, at first, I was like, ‘Well, it's overwhelming.’ But I know it's a great opportunity. I asked myself if I could really do it, but since I trust the whole organization and the whole group, it's actually easy for me to say yes because I've been there with them, working with them as well ever since the whole group took over Miss Universe Philippines,” said Ara.

Photo from @araarida

Puksaan 2025: On the delegates of MUPH

The 2025 Miss Universe Philippines competition has just started and yet it has already been dubbed “Puksaan 2025,” a term that encapsulates the intensity of this year’s edition. With 69 delegates, the level of competition is at an all-time high. The diversity in this year's batch adds another layer of intrigue, with a mix of experienced candidates returning for another shot at the crown and fresh faces eager to make strong impressions.

“I would say it’s puksaan because every year, the competition gets tougher. We never run out of beautiful and smart women competing for that crown and that's what I'm really happy for. And not only that, because we have delegates as well who [already competed in the past] and who had so many experiences, and we have new faces as well who are as competitive as the past ones. So, that's an exciting batch for this year,” she observed.

For Ara, the degree of professionalism and dedication displayed by the candidates is commendable. Despite the hectic schedules, last-minute sponsor calls, and the pressures of media appearances, the ladies consistently deliver, embodying the discipline required to win an international crown. “I’m amazed at how these girls can pull off their look—complete set, made-up. Even if it's last-minute, they can pull off that kind of look na parang they prepared for a month. I find it really professional,” Ara shared.

The beauty pageant titleholder is also keen on furthering the advocacy of Miss Universe Philippines as a platform that champions empowered women who embody not only beauty but also intelligence, confidence, and ambition. The pageant world has evolved significantly, and for her, the key to success lies in finding a delegate who represents the total package, stating, “Of course, the beauty of the face should be there, brains, wit, and personality. The lucky one should have all these traits. Not just physically, but [also] what's inside of them.”

“You know, you can say these girls are physically prepared for it. But who would stand out in the middle of pressure, in the middle of crunch time? Who will have that kind of personality despite the challenges? And at the same time, when they answer, they know what they’re saying. They’re empowered enough to be able to command attention and power and translate that energy to their listener,” she emphasized, adding that one should still exude humility and compassion.

Photo by @kimmontesphoto

The evolution of pageantry

Having competed on the international stage herself, Ara has seen how the landscape of beauty pageants has changed over the years. One of the most striking changes, she noted, is the increasing level of freedom that candidates now enjoy in terms of their personal branding, styling, and self-expression. In her words, “[During my time], I would say we have stricter rules. I think now, girls have more liberty. They have more freedom on what look they want, and the dresses they want to wear. So, in that aspect, that’s how different it was from my generation to now.”

While the fundamentals of grace, intelligence, and stage presence remain unchanged, today's candidates face new challenges, especially in the age and influence of social media. They have the power to curate their own narratives and establish their own image.

“There was social media during my time but it’s not as crazy as it gets right now. Of course, I’m so thankful for the big support that we’re having right now, but sometimes, if you tend to be easily swayed by what you read on social media, whether it’s good or bad, it really takes a toll on you as well. So, that’s a big difference,” she added.

Ara Arida at the Binibining Pilipinas 2013 | Photo from @araarida

Ariella Arida on the Miss Universe 2013 stage

Lessons and advice for aspiring beauty queens

From queen to mentor, Ara reflected on the most difficult aspects of her pageant journey and the invaluable lessons she learned along the way. When asked about the most challenging part of her journey as a beauty queen, she emphasized the relentless daily grind she experienced. “It’s the everyday thing. Every day, we really have a schedule. You have to prepare yourself. You have to be in your full made-up look. Sometimes, 24 hours is not enough, especially during my training and when my competition was really getting near,” she recalled.

The public often sees beauty queens as effortlessly poised, but Ara revealed that maintaining grace under such demanding conditions was one of the biggest challenges, saying, “[In spite of] all this busy schedule, to think that in the middle of it, you have to look gorgeous. You have to be always smiling. It feels like you never feel tired or something like that. But I kind of miss that adrenaline. I really miss it."

The physical toll was immense, but what was even more taxing was the mental and emotional strain. Staying composed despite exhaustion, managing stress while remaining confident, and dealing with scrutiny all contributed to the towering pressure placed on her shoulders. “At the same time, you have to protect yourself. You have to protect your core. You don’t lose yourself in the process,” she stressed, learning how to stay grounded and resilient.

Looking back, Ara credited the Miss Universe experience for shaping her into the strong woman she is today. “The best learning I had for myself was that I truly [got to] know myself more," she divulged. “Because when I competed, I was already 23 years old, so I thought I already knew myself. But actually, the journey had tested my character more. And I think I became a better version of it,” she added.

(From left) Bb. Pilipinas 2013  Runner-Up Pia Wurtzbach, Binibining Pilipinas Tourism 2013 Joanna Cindy Miranda, Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ariella Arida, Binibining Pilipinas International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago, and Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2013 Mutya Johanna Datul | Photo from @araarida

Ara also emphasized the power of self-awareness and self-acceptance apart from winning the crown: “You really have to love yourself to be able to give that kind of confidence that [would radiate] to people.” True enough, confidence comes from embracing both one’s strengths and weaknesses. “It's not only our strengths that we have to love, but also our flaws. We really need to know ourselves, especially our flaws, and acknowledge how to improve them,” she put it.

There’s no denying that criticisms and bashers are inevitable in the world of pageantry, and Ara is no stranger to that. However, instead of letting them affect her, she used them as a tool for self-improvement: “I have my bashers as well, and I am truly aware of what they would bash me for. Sometimes, they don't have power against me anymore because I'm truly aware of it. And I know myself that I'm improving on it and I'm learning.”

When prodded about the most valuable advice she could give young women aspiring to wear the crown, Ara's response was heartfelt and introspective—to never let success make you forget your roots. “It's so easy to be overwhelmed by the attention, all the fame and power that you get. Especially in the pageantry, if you become a crowd favorite or something like that, or even if not, the attention is overwhelming,” she said.

“Even if you're starting, just always be thankful for all the people who you've started with and who've seen potential in you. Because I think sometimes, especially in the industry and with the social media craze, we tend to easily forget where we started. And that's the sad part. So, my advice is to always be thankful for where you are at now and be grateful for how you have started. Because I think that's where more success is coming and that's where you are feeling more blessed,” she added.

Photo by @dhlendotcom

What keeps her moving forward

What inspires the titleholder? Her dreams and goals. “They make me get up in the morning and live on,” said Ara. She realized that having something to work toward—whether a career milestone, personal growth, or a long-term aspiration—is what constantly reignites passion and excitement for life.

“When I don't have goals or I don't have something to look forward to, parang I feel so dead. And even if you're financially okay or you feel like everything just seems well, but if you don't have that goal in life, I don't know, it's just so hard to move,” she pondered.

Drawing energy from success and inspiration from others, she surrounds herself with driven individuals like her family and friends. Ara shared, “They would be one of the reasons as well [as to why] you're up, you're active, you have energy. The moment that you talk to them, you get more inspired. That's why it's so nice to be able to have friends and family who are successful, who are achievers, who are dreamers, because that kind of energy is really contagious.”

Photo from @araarida

As Ara takes on her new leadership role, she remains inspired by the women who came before her like Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup-Lee, and Janine Tugonon. “Their journeys also helped me out in my own journey. And I'm thankful that these girls are now my friends, and like we can share life together,” she mentioned. She also looks up to figures like Margie Moran and Lucy Torres-Gomez, whose wisdom and grace continue to guide her path.

When asked about an inspiring woman she would love to meet, her voice filled with excitement as she dropped the name Kate Middleton. She admires the Duchess of Cambridge for her elegance, composure, and the way she navigates the responsibilities of royal life. Apart from Kate, she also expressed fondness for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Looking back at her journey, Ara reflects on what she would like to tell her younger self: “Something I would tell her, ‘You did great, and I’m proud of you,’ because I wouldn’t be where I am right now if not from all those experiences that I had when I was young.”

She attributes much of her strength and success to the values instilled in her by her parents. “I’m so thankful as well to my parents because they’re the reasons why I’m like this now. Without their guidance, I don’t know where I’ll be,” she mused.

Lead photo by @dhlendotcom