Miss Universe Bacoor Victoria Velasquez Vincent to compete in Miss Universe New Zealand 2024

After representing Bacoor City in the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant, Victoria Velasquez Vincent is set to join this year’s Miss Universe New Zealand pageant. 

On her Instagram broadcast channel, the Filipina-Irish beauty queen said joining the Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 pageant is her way to “honor” her dad’s heritage. 

“I've always been proud of being mixed race. I'm a symbol of my parent's love, which endured so much discrimination back when they first got together," she began.

“To honor my dad's side of my heritage and the country where I took my first step, spoke my first word, had my first heartbreak and earned my double master's degree I never shut up about," Victoria continued, adding that her Filipino roots “will always be in her heart anywhere she goes.”

"Mahal kong Pilipinas, lagi kayong nasa puso ko. Kahit saan, Kahit kailan."

Victoria was among the candidates who vied for the Miss Universe Philippines crown in May.

She finished in the Top 10, with Chelsea Manalo eventually winning the Miss Universe Philippines crown.

In 2021, she also joined the same pageant and was hailed as Miss Universe Philippines Charity.

In the same year, she was offered to become Miss Universe New Zealand, but she declined.

"My heart is, and always will be here to serve the Philippines. Some may say I'm not Filipina enough, and that's OK. I know who I am. I know what I stand for. I am a Filipina,” she said.

Filipino-Kiwi model and actress Franki Russell was supposed to represent New Zealand in the Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico, but withdrew after the former management House of Yugen canceled its franchise.