Joy Barcoma: Beauty that Moves the Earth
In a world where beauty is often deemed superficial, measured by subjectivity perpetuated by societal norms and pressures, we tend to forget that physical beauty can go hand in hand with a beautiful cause.
One woman has proved that while beauty is in the eye of the beholder, looks can only get you so far, as kindness and impact weigh heavier than anything else in the world.
Meet Joy Barcoma, a 26-year-old beauty queen, an alumna from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and the current titleholder of Miss Philippines Earth. She is set to compete on the international stage on November 5, 2025, representing the country in Miss Earth 2025.
She brings honor to the Philippines as she represents the country on Miss Earth, which is an annual pageant recognizing women who bear beauty with a cause, raising social awareness, and environmental advocacy.
Raised in Quezon City and Baras, Rizal, Joy grew up in an upbringing rooted in strength, challenges, and resilience. She went back to the city during her college years. Eventually, Joy moved to her current hometown, Bacoor, when the pandemic began.
As Joy rose above everything, she fueled her passion through her advocacy, drawing on her experiences within her community, which also faced the harsh realities and truths of society.
She realized the willingness within her to be the catalyst of change, speak up for what is right and just, and help the community that she shared a collective plight, having been in a similar situation herself.
She imparted this motivation through her journey inside and outside her title as Miss Philippines Earth. In fact, she always strived to put her best foot forward in various groundwork efforts and grassroots initiatives she participated in to help underserved communities with less privilege.
Overcoming doubts and living without regrets
Joy’s journey to her triumph was never an easy ride. Like many, an inner saboteur is one’s greatest enemy, hindering someone from realizing their full potential in fear of failing without even going for it.
She viewed joining Miss Philippines Earth as a “make or break” moment and eventually overcame her doubts. She also added that by doing so, she views the future version of herself living with fulfilled dreams and no regrets.
"I'm really settled with myself. I'm very content with what I have. But, then again, I know that I can still do something bigger.So with my journey to the crown, it's really a challenge within myself on how to conquer the insecurity, the fear of failure, and you know, getting out of my comfort zone. She stated."
What it means to meet victory yet again
As Joy prepares for the coronation, she also carries 25 years of legacy, along with the Filipinos’ hopes and dreams as Miss Philippines Earth. When she was asked what it would mean for her to win:
“It means everything, and knowing that I've worked hard for it, it's really a fulfillment of the dreams I've had when I was much younger. It's the realization of the things that I've been working hard on for how many years.”
Joy is not a stranger when it comes to winning. In her college years, she won Miss PUP 2017, and national titles such as Miss Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) NCR 2017, Miss PASUC National 2017, Miss Philippine Islands 2017, and Miss Pangasinan–Environment 2018.
She also became a Top 24 finalist in Miss World Philippines 2021, where she won “Beauty with a Purpose.”
With her current title as Miss Philippines Earth, marking the expansion of these remarkable feats, there is no doubt that she will definitely put up a good fight.
In her very own words from her winning answer, “I’m very much ready, and I hope the Earth is ready too.”
The Philippines will serve as the hosting country for Miss Earth 2025, at Okada Manila. Joy’s journey is also a chance to snag a coveted fifth crown for the country.
While this might pressure her, she admits that she refuses to put pressure on herself as she ensures she always takes the best step that represents the country. Consequently, she is hopeful that the training and practice she took will bear fruit on November 5, 2025.
A fight for the crown advocates for social and environmental justice
When Joy steps on a platform, she does not use it merely as a step towards the crown, but also as a step closer to her advocacy. It is a platform not only to exhibit her beauty, but also to present her stance.
Aside from her preparations for the competition, Joy is also active in using her voice to shed light on environmental and social issues.
As a dedicated advocate for disaster resilience and poverty, she recently spoke in the “Baha sa Luneta” anti-corruption protest and partook in the EDSA Trillion Peso March. She believes it is a pressing issue that she must tackle in her journey.
However, this also includes the corruption of young minds. With the continual spread of false news, disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation, Joy emphasizes the significance of knowledge.
“We should also encourage young children, educate them that they have the power to wield when it comes to using factual information, when it comes to using knowledge to make the right choices, not just for themselves, but also for the country.” Joy on using knowledge as a power.
What is a good leader?
In light of the current issues in the country, Joy also highlights the perfect emulation of a good leader. She believes that a good leader is fit to lead not just the people, but the entire country. This includes promoting a sustainable and responsible lifestyle.
For her, it is a way of ensuring that they always take each member of the community into account.
“Because that's the thing with governing people, it's not about you. It should be a decision that is rooted on purpose. It should be a decision that is rooted on the betterment of most of the people, if not all.” Joy on how good leadership can be echoed
For Joy, environmental and socioeconomic issues are interlinked issues, and corruption causes both. When we demand accountability, we can address the climate crisis and its risks, hence also calling attention to poverty and inequality. Because, in her own words, corruption equates to social injustice, and environmental injustice is social injustice.
“If you corrupt the system, you also corrupt the future. So we have to give our future generation, we have to give our people the chance to live a life that is worth living. Because if we live in corruption, we actually take away the chance, we take away the privileges from young people, from communities to live a life that has access to quality education, has access to quality health, that has access to a life that is worth living.”
The aforementioned injustices are reasons why we need good leaders. With the existing issues, Joy stresses cautiousness when choosing leaders who do not decide for the betterment of the majority, because they are the very people who take advantage of the minority.
On resonating with fire, air, water, and earth
The four elements of the earth represent an aspect of Joy’s character. Fire that burns. Air that lingers. Water that flows. Earth that nurtures.
With her dedication, she sees fire as a symbol for her burning passion to advocate for the community and the people. Passion, once alight, is unwavering just like fire. Air, on the other hand, speaks to Joy as a reminder to be present—even when you are not there.
“Even if I'm not Miss Philippines Earth anymore, because we are to crown another queen next year, I hope that the legacy I leave behind is something that will leave a lasting impact, not just to the organization, but also to the community that I've been longing to serve.” Joy on what air represents in her journey
Air remains in places even when it cannot be seen, and water fills spaces. For Joy, water is the ideal element to emulate. People know water not only for its adaptability, but also for its ability to create an impact using a single droplet—the ripple effect.
“I emulate water because I know that whatever little thing I do, it's going to be making a big impact on the people that I serve, in the community that I'd like to change, and in the society that I'd like to progress.”
She believes that water represents the little steps she makes in the community as they leave an impact to the people she serves, regardless of how big or small those steps are.
Lastly, she embodies Mother Earth. Where earth serves as home for all living beings, Joy seeks to be nurturing towards both the environment and the people. She wishes to leave a legacy as a leader and a mother who cares, loves, and nurtures.
Legacy to leave
“I don't want people to remember me as someone that is just [there] for the glamour, that is just there for the glitz of the pageantry, for the beauty of pageantry, but also for the ugly truth that comes with it.”
In our Miss Philippines Earth’s journey towards the crown, she emphasizes the responsibility of being more than a voice, being the personification of your advocacy.
Joy Barcoma strives to win the crown in the service of the people. The crown is not simply an accessory to flaunt, but a vessel to cultivate the betterment of her own people—the Filipinos.
“I want to be remembered as the queen of the people, someone who feels for the people, someone who speaks for the people, and someone who stands up for my people. Because at the end of the day, before becoming Miss Philippines Earth, I am first a Filipino, and I'd like to remain that way by championing Filipino values, by always carrying with me the heritage and culture of a Filipino person. And of course, championing the Philippines in whatever stage I step on.”
THE TEAM
Photographer and Makeup Artist: Hajie Alejandro
Creative Director: Devon May Seron
Creative Inputs: Hajie Alejandro, Kyra Custodio – Alberto, John Luke Chica
Stylists: Ken Batino and Jevin Salaysay
Designers:
- Gold and Pink Gowns (Earth and Air Layouts) – Jhajha Gabunal
- Red, Blue, and White Gowns (Fire, Water, Pearl Layouts) – Salino By Ken Batino and Jevin Salaysay
Hair Stylist: Petra Hispano
Make up Assistant: Arjohn Conge
Set Designer: Joey Peria
Videographer (BTS): Sachi Del Mundo
Studio: Onzè Studio
Studio Manager: Raven Rafael
Gaffer: Friz Angel Baradan, Jonathan Iglesia, Juda Manjares
Cover Story by: Xyruz N. Barcelona & Marcus Virgil Salvante
Social Media Captions: Denice Alvarez
Executive Producer: Inyi Yruma
Special Thanks:
Miss Philippines Earth and Carousel Productions, Inc.
Road Manager: Mark Joseph Agbayani
Consultants: RL De Leon Lacanienta and Kevin Ray Manalili Agbunag
Set Design: Joey Peria Event’s Styling and Floristry
THE PIPOL TEAM
Publisher: Richard de Quina & John Luke Chica
Managing Director: Inyi Yruma
Editor-in-Chief: John Luke Chica
Sales and Marketing Manager: Regino Rubi
Communications & Partnership Manager: Kyra Custodio- Alberto
Creative Manager: Devon May Seron
Senior Writer: Beatrice Ulibarri
Multimedia & Digital Head: Sachii Del Mundo
Executive Assistant: Dreamboy Dubria
Finance Head: Mylene Dela Reyna
AUTHORS
Virgil Salvante
Virgil is a passion-driven and versatile storyteller, capturing the zeitgeist of entertainment, lifestyle, music, and pop culture. His enthusiasm for empowering diverse communities, as reflected in his writings, is what keeps him going.
Xyruz Bacelona
Xyruz is a versatile writer with passion for multimedia arts and storytelling. Beyond the bylines, she enjoys creating narratives with creative visuals like photographs and graphic materials.
