The Philippines is grappling with a global energy shock after becoming the first country in the world to declare a state of national energy emergency on March 24, 2026.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued the declaration as the ongoing war in Iran disrupted key oil routes through the Strait of Hormuz, sending fuel prices soaring worldwide.
According to an article published by Inquirer.net, with the country "importing more than 98% of its oil," the crisis has quickly drained strategic reserves.
The Department of Energy reported only 45 to 51 days of fuel supply remaining as of late March.
As oil prices surge, the cost of basic commodities has also climbed, leaving many Filipinos struggling with yet another financial blow.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked beauty queens how they are coping—and what tips they have for getting through these challenging times.
KRISHNAH GRAVIDEZ
For Miss World Asia 2025 Krishnah Gravidez, navigating the energy crisis means cutting back on daily movement, preparing for possible shortages, and extending help to those most affected—especially public transport workers.
Krishnah told PEP: "Nako, sobrang dami talaga ng ginagawang ko efforts. As much as possible, hindi rin ako nalabas kasi ang mahal ng gasolina.
"Also, with preparedness as well, we started, hindi naman panic buying, but we started stocking food. And then, meron yung mga batteries namin, powerbanks, and stuff like that just to be prepared.
"And as much as possible talaga, I do my best to help... I mean the community in the smallest ways that I can, like yung mga drivers natin, public drivers natin.
"As much as I can, tinutulungan ko rin sila... in the best way that I can. So yun lang naman the small efforts that I'm doing now.
"So I hope na nagtulungan lang po tayo ngayon because at the end of the day, we only have each other."
The crisis has also prompted Krishnah to take a closer look at her finances.
She said: "Actually, ngayon, mas nabigyan ako ng reason to be more mindful of my expenses.
"This year, one of my resolutions talaga is be more mindful, pero with what's happening right now, I'm really tight with everything kasi you will never know what will happen in the future...
"We will never know what will happen in the future. But ngayon, yeah, more mindful talaga ako when it comes to my expenses and savings."
JOY BARCOMA
Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma emphasized the importance of collective effort, urging Filipinos to conserve resources and remain conscious of how individual choices affect society—especially the most vulnerable workers.
She said: "Alam ko naman na sobrang dami talaga nating pinagdadaang problema ngayon—krisis sa enerhiya, krisis sa mga commodities natin, lalo na sa gas.
"So of course, mga usual lang na paalala sa mga tao, conserve energy as much as possible. Kung puwede nating encourage mga tao mag-carpool na lang, use public transpo.
"Suportahan din nating yung mga jeepney drivers natin, bus drivers, mga tricycle drivers kasi sila yung mauuna na maaapektuhan ng pagtaas ng presyo ng gas.
"And, of course, to follow na rin... sinusundan na rin iyan ng mga pagtaas ng bilihin."
And if Filipinos are not happy with the way their leaders are handling the situation, she stressed the importance of voting wisely.
"So if we want to push for a better society, we should first be better citizens. So sana maging conscious tayo sa mga decisions na gagawin natin.
"Maging conscious tayo sa mga iboboto nating mga politiko sa susunod na eleksiyon para hindi nating nararanasan ang ganun kabigat ang crisis na nararamdaman nating ngayon."
MYRNA ESGUERRA
Miss International 2025 4th Runner-Up Myrna Esguerra sees the crisis' impact on transport workers, and it breaks her heart.
"It's very sad na nangyayari iyan, no. And nakikita ko online, kung gaano nakaapektuhan yung mga kababayan natin, especially the tricycle drivers, the jeepney drivers, yung mga nagtatrabaho sa transportation... So, it's very saddening.
"And the one way na ginagawa ko to save energy is medyo bawas-bawasan na ang gala.
"So, hindi na ako masyadong umaalis ng bahay, only kung kailangan lang talaga and importante yung lakad ko.
"And I hope na masuportahan natin yung mga kababayan natin na nagtrabaho sa transportation energy. If we can give something, every time na nagpapa-deliver tayo ng mga gamit papunta sa atin, I hope that we can give something sa ating mga drivers."
Myrna added that the ongoing situation has made her more "mindful" of her actions, particularly "sa consumption ko sa energy."
Myrna said: "Kung dati maisipan ko lang na lumabas, lalabas ako. Magyayaya ako mag-coffee, pupunta ako sa... out of town, ganun.
"Pero ngayon, iniisip ko na kung ano yung mas importante ngayon and kung importante ba yung lakad na yun, kung dapat ba talaga umalis.
"So I think, it's also eye-opening sa atin lahat to be very mindful sa mga decisions natin na huwag tayong maging basta-basta na lang nagde-decide.
"We should all think, more than once kung puwede, kung importante ba yung gagawin natin."
She also mentioned helping the "kababayan din na nahihirapan sa panahon ngayon" in any way she can.
DALIA VARDE KHATTAB
Binibining Pilipinas 2025 first runner-up Dalia Varde Khattab is after protecting her mental health.
The 22-year-old Star Magic talent said: "Honestly, since the Philippines is, like, experiencing some of the worst state of crises in the world, it's really, really sad to see.
"But, I guess I'm trying to stay home first, starting there, because I really don't wanna... I don't want, I don't wanna make it more miserable for the people around me.
"Kasi siyempre, now that the gas prices are up, the electricity bills are up, it's better to just stay put muna and not disturb others.
"Kasi everyone, I'm sure, everyone is really miserable and really, really affected by it, especially those that commute a lot.
"So while I have the chance to just be home and keep out of the drama first, that's, I think, one way to just keep my mental health safe."
And in these uncertain times, Dalia highlighted the importance of financial literacy.
Dalia said: "I've always been mindful about money. That used to be one of my advocacies... I used to advocate for financial literacy, so I was really, really fond of business and all those sorts of things.
"So yeah, it's just, I hope nowadays, people can really input all those learnings of what they've learned in school about, like, money and how to take care of it and whatnot, because now more than ever, it's like really necessary."
NIKKI BUENAFE
With Iranian roots, Face of Beauty International 2025 Nikki Buenafe shared a deeply personal perspective on the global conflict behind the crisis, stressing the power of small, collective actions.
She told PEP: "I'm actually half Iranian, so I'm very connected and I, I'm very aware of what's happening right now in the world.
"But when it comes to stuff like this, very small, calculated... like simply turning off your lights, simply not using too much gas, makes big differences more than you know it.
"So if we all collectively make small changes, it really has a big effect.
"And I think that Philippines is on the right route in saving and conserving energy and trying to make classes [hybrid] and also work.
"And, you know, working towards peace and peaceful talks and dialogues. I think that's really the best way to go.
"And then we can start there. And of course, we're finally... and I hope we, I pray that we reach a solution that is, you know, peaceful for the whole world."
Nikki also acknowledged how difficult it is to stay financially conscious when prices continue to rise.
"I would love to be mindful, pero ang hirap kasi sa mga expenses ngayon. Lahat tumataas na lang, e.
"How can you be mindful when the food is like times three na, when the gasoline is times four na? Even though you're going to be mindful, it's still gonna be more expensive.
"So yeah, I guess I have to say I don't have any other choice but to be mindful."
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