Philippine bet Asia Rose Simpson says she’s ‘100% ready’ for Miss World

Miss World Philippines 2026 Asia Rose Simpson said she is “100% ready” to compete at the 73rd Miss World pageant in Vietnam, where she hopes to showcase not only her advocacy and talent but also a children’s book she personally wrote and illustrated.

At her send-off event in Quezon City on Thursday, Aug. 6, the 18-year-old Filipina-American beauty queen expressed confidence in her preparation for the month-long international competition.

“What I can say is I am 100% ready to take on the competition. I am 100% confident in my abilities to work hard in every fast track, because Miss World is a very holistic pageant,” Simpson said.

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The beauty queen noted that the pageant allows contestants to highlight different aspects of their creativity and skills through its various fast-track events.

For the Talent Fast Track, Simpson said she will perform an original dance titled “Succor,” which means “to run and give help when needed.”

“It tells a story of mental health and the hope that is there and accessible to everyone,” she said.

Simpson also revealed that Miss World also requires contestants to bring an illustrated book about their country for the World Library. Instead of commissioning one, she chose to create it herself.

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“When they told me there was a requirement for a book, I said, ‘Please let me write it myself,’ because I’m a children’s book author and illustrator,” she said as she presented the book, titled “Mabuhay, Philippines,” to members of the media.

Simpson said she personally wrote and illustrated the book, drawing inspiration from people she knows and places she has visited around the country.

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Simpson is also banking on her long-running SED (Sports, Exercise and Dance) initiative, which promotes the physical and mental well-being of young people through sports, dance, workshops and mental health education.

The advocacy has reached more than 10,000 young people in the Philippines, the United States and Vietnam, according to the Miss World Philippines organization.

Simpson will leave for Vietnam on Aug. 7 ahead of the Miss World competition, which will be held from Aug. 9 to Sept. 5.

The Philippines is aiming for its second Miss World crown after Megan Young made history by winning the title in 2013. /ra