Miss Asia Pacific International 2026 Candidates Arrive in Lapu-Lapu City for Courtesy Visit
Forty candidates vying for the Miss Asia Pacific International 2026 crown paid a courtesy visit to the City Government of Lapu-Lapu, kicking off a series of pageant-related activities that will unfold across the city in the coming weeks.
The candidates, representing different countries, were welcomed by city officials, with the Lapu-Lapu City government expressing pride in hosting women from around the world for the international pageant. The Honorable Members of the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod, led by Vice Mayor Dr. Celsi Sitoy, joined the welcome. In their message, city officials expressed hope that the candidates' stay would give them a chance to experience Lapu-Lapu's history, culture, tourist destinations, and the hospitality of the Oponganons — the local term for residents of Lapu-Lapu City.
What's Happening in Lapu-Lapu City
This year's Miss Asia Pacific International pageant will feature Lapu-Lapu City prominently across several of its key events. The National Costume Competition is set for September 27 at the Liberty Shrine, where candidates will show off elaborate costumes representing the heritage and identity of their home countries. From there, the pageant moves to JPark Island Resort & Waterpark in Barangay Maribago, which will host the swimsuit and long gown competitions as part of the preliminary rounds.
The pageant's biggest moment — the Grand Coronation Night — will take place on October 10 at the Mactan Expo Center, also in Lapu-Lapu City.
Why This Matters for Cebu
For Lapu-Lapu City and the wider Mactan-Cebu area, hosting an international pageant of this scale puts the city's tourism spots front and center for an international audience. The Liberty Shrine serves as the venue for the National Costume Competition, while JPark Island Resort & Waterpark — one of Mactan's well-known resort destinations — hosts the swimsuit and long gown segments, giving both locations visibility tied to the pageant.
The Grand Coronation Night at the Mactan Expo Center caps things off, positioning Lapu-Lapu City as the central venue for the pageant's culminating event.
What Residents and Visitors Should Know
If you're in Lapu-Lapu City or planning to visit, here's a quick guide to the upcoming pageant activities:
September 27 — National Costume Competition at Liberty Shrine
JPark Island Resort & Waterpark (Barangay Maribago) — Swimsuit and long gown preliminary competitions (exact date not specified in the source release)
October 10 — Grand Coronation Night at Mactan Expo Center
Residents interested in the candidates or these events should watch for official ticketing or public viewing announcements from event organizers or the city government, as none were specified in the source material.
For local businesses and tourism operators, the run-up to these events could mean increased visitor interest in the areas surrounding Liberty Shrine, Maribago, and the Mactan Expo Center over the next few weeks.
Quick Summary
What: 40 Miss Asia Pacific International 2026 candidates made a courtesy visit to Lapu-Lapu City ahead of pageant activities
Where: Liberty Shrine, JPark Island Resort & Waterpark (Barangay Maribago), and Mactan Expo Center — all in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
When: National Costume Competition on September 27; Grand Coronation Night on October 10
Impact on Visayas: Lapu-Lapu City hosts multiple key pageant events, spotlighting local tourism destinations and drawing international attention to the area
Source: City Government of Lapu-Lapu official statement