Valerie West, a 22-year-old with a heart as big as her ambitions, is gaining attention in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant. Just months ago, she was a newly-certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in New York. Now, she’s representing the Ifugao region, proof of her talent and drive.
West’s pageant journey began in her teens, racking up impressive titles like Miss York County’s Outstanding Teen and consistently placing in the top 5 of Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen. However, the pandemic forced a pause, during which she focused on her education, earning a Biomedical Engineering degree from the University of Delaware. Her sights were set on medical school, with a dream of becoming a pediatric cardiologist.
But destiny had other plans. Crowned Reina Filipina North America in January, West found herself thrust back into the pageant world, this time on the national stage. “I’m excited to be representing my Ifugao roots and also the Philippine community in New York,” she stated upon her arrival in the Philippines, a country she last visited in 2019, narrowly avoiding the global lockdown.
West’s resume extends far beyond pageantry and academics. She’s a skilled singer, dancer, and martial artist, even having competed on the singing competition show, “The Clash,” at the age of 17. Singing, she says, is a passion she hopes to pursue alongside her medical aspirations.
Her journey is deeply rooted in her Filipino heritage. “As a Filipino raised by a Filipino mom, of course, it’s been instilled from a young age love for pageantry,” she explains. Her mother, hailing from Kiangan, Ifugao, serves as her primary inspiration. “They become role models in my life. They each have such beauty and brains, so I tried to model that in my life.”
Valerie West’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and a deep connection to her roots. From saving lives as an EMT to gracing the pageant stage, she embodies the modern Filipino woman – multi-faceted, driven, and ready to conquer any challenge. Her journey to the Miss Universe Philippines crown is just beginning, and the world is watching.
