Xpedition Magazine recently held a press conference at The Grand Hausse in Quezon City to introduce the leadership team managing the new Miss Universe Yugen franchises for Bahrain, Pakistan, and Egypt. The franchises are operated by House of Yugen, led by president and national director Josh Yugen.
The event gathered personalities from the media, fashion, diplomacy, and advocacy groups. Actress Arci Muñoz was introduced as head of women empowerment, and Dr. Jonas Apostol as co-national director of Miss Universe Bahrain and dental partner. Dr. Gwen Pang, secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross, will lead charity work. Deborah Kugler was named creative director, and actor Xian Lim will handle personality development. Ian Borromeo is vice president for operations and communication.
Other important roles were given to Erica Robin and Evlin Khalifa as co-national directors for Pakistan and Bahrain, Mohra Tantawy as head of culture, Kosh Hewage as deputy director of Miss Universe Bahrain, Mercy Maddox in charge of training, and beauty queens Maureen Montagne and Gwen Fourniol as head of beauty and lead for social impact and candidate development, respectively.
Each leader spoke about their goal to make pageants a way to celebrate culture, empower women, and support good causes.
“This is more than a press event—it’s a movement,” said Yugen. “We are building a global sisterhood of empowered women ready to lead with compassion, intelligence, and authenticity.”
The Dubai-based Filipino public relations practitioner and publisher added that the franchises were built to give every woman a chance to be heard.
Yugen now owns the rights to send contestants from Bahrain, Egypt, and Pakistan to the Miss Universe pageant. He got the Bahrain franchise in 2021 and sent Manar Deyani, the first contestant to wear a modest burkini on the Miss Universe stage.
Yugen also helped Pakistan join Miss Universe with Erika Robin, who placed in the Top 20 in 2023. Egypt earned its first placement last year with Logina Salah, a mother with vitiligo, who reached the Top 30.
Bahrain’s 2024 contestant, part-Filipino TV host Shereen Ahmed, won a Silver award in the Miss Universe “Voice for Change” contest.
Before running these franchises, Yugen worked with the Miss Universe Organization as the publisher of Xpedition Magazine. He was the first to bring Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray to Dubai for a campaign and a photoshoot in New York City.
