Valerie West’s journey has been nothing short of a whirlwind. The 22-year-old newly certified EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) from New York, USA, is now proudly representing the Ifugao region in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

Just a few weeks ago, on January 25, Valerie was crowned Reina Filipina North America. Soon after, she found herself in the Philippines, preparing for the opportunity to represent the country at this year’s Miss Universe competition in Thailand. While it may seem like she was suddenly thrust into the pageant world, Valerie is no stranger to the scene.

Her pageant career began in 2017 when she was named Miss York County’s Outstanding Teen, securing a spot in the Top 5 of Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen. The following year, she earned the title of Miss Luzerne County’s Outstanding Teen and once again reached the Top 5 in the same competition. In 2019, she was crowned Miss Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Outstanding Teen and finished as 1st Runner-Up for Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen.

However, the pandemic put her pageant pursuits on hold. During this time, she focused on her studies, earning a Biomedical Engineering degree from the University of Delaware. With aspirations of becoming a pediatric cardiologist, Valerie plans to pursue a medical degree in the future.

For now, though, she’s fully embracing her return to the pageant world after winning Reina Filipina North America, now setting her sights on Miss Universe Philippines.

“I’m thrilled to represent my Ifugao roots and the Filipino community in New York,” Valerie shared upon her arrival in the Philippines. Her last visit to the country was in 2019, and she nearly got stranded due to the onset of global lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond academics and pageantry, Valerie is also skilled in singing, dancing, and competitive martial arts. Singing, in particular, is her passion—she even writes her own songs. At 17, she competed in the singing competition show The Clash, and like her medical ambitions, music is something she hopes to pursue further.

“Growing up with a Filipino mother, pageantry was always a part of my life. As I got older, I realized it wasn’t just about beauty and grace—these women became role models for me. They embody both intelligence and elegance, and I aspired to do the same,” Valerie said. She credits her mother, who hails from Kiangan, Ifugao, as her inspiration for chasing her pageant dreams.

Valerie also believes pageantry is deeply embedded in Filipino culture. “It’s in our values. Seeing women empower each other, uphold strong family values, and inspire others makes pageantry so meaningful. No matter where we are in the world, Filipinos carry these traditions with them,” she explained.

She also admires Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and praises her for using her platform to promote Filipino culture long after her reign.

Valerie is committed to impacting beyond pageantry through her advocacy work with the PUSO Foundation, established by Robert Banez in 2017. The foundation serves underprivileged communities in seven countries through various initiatives. “Through my partnership with PUSO, I advocate for the power of ‘paying it forward’ and encourage young people to engage in service work. Acts of kindness, big or small, can create lasting change. The message is simple: Give a little, change a lot.”

With her beauty, intelligence, and compassionate heart, Valerie West is a rising star in the pageant world, ready to make her mark on the global stage.