Jona Ili Sweett, 26, of Aklan, Philippines was one of the 31 women who competed for the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 crown. The coronation night was held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on April 30, 2022.

Sweett finished in the Top 16. It was Celeste Cortesi, 24, of Pasay City who won the crown.

Cortesi has big shoes to fill. If she is unplaced at Miss Universe 2022, it will end the Philippines’ 12-year winning streak in Miss Universe.

Beatrice Luigi Gomez, 27, of Cebu City, Philippines was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021 at the Henann Resort Convention Center in Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines on September 30, 2021. She finished in the Top 5 at Miss Universe 2021 at the Universe Dome in Eilat, Israel on December 13, 2021.

Jona Sweett

Sweett is 5’7″ tall. Her father Jefferey Sweett is Australian while her mother Arcena Ili Romero is Filipino.

Jona earned her bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management at Garcia College of Technology in Kalibo, Aklan. She was Mutya ng Pilipinas-Aklan 2014.

On February 18, 2015, Jona was crowned Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival Queen-Earth 2015. Representing Iloilo City, Philippines, she ranked fifth at Miss Philippines Earth 2015 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 31, 2015 and was crowned Miss Philippines Eco Tourism 2015.

On September 3, 2017, Jona went back to the SM Mall of Asia Arena to compete against 34 other candidates at Miss World Philippines 2017. She finished in the Top 10.

Aklan

Occupying the northwest portion of Panay Island, Aklan is a province where deep-rooted indigenous heritage meets world-class tourism. The province is perhaps most famous as the home of Boracay Island, a global icon renowned for its powdery white sand and vibrant nightlife.

However, Aklan offers much more than its shorelines. It is celebrated as the birthplace of the Ati-Atihan Festival, often called the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals.” Held every January in the capital town of Kalibo, this electrifying event honors the Santo Niño with tribal dances, indigenous music, and participants adorned in elaborate costumes.

Beyond its festive spirit, Aklan is a land of skilled craftspeople. It is the country’s premier producer of piña cloth, an exquisite textile woven from pineapple fibers that is considered the Queen of Philippine Fabrics. The province is also a model for environmental stewardship, notably through the Kalibo Bakhawan Eco-Park, a successful mangrove reforestation project.