Ariella Arida

Biography

Ariella "Ara" Hernandez Arida (Tagalog: [aɾˈjɛlɐ hɛɾˈnɐndɛs ɐˈɾida]; born November 20, 1988) is a Filipino beauty pageant titleholder, actress, and model, who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2013. She represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2013 competition where she placed as the third runner-up. Following her career in pageantry, Arida has starred in the films Coming Home (2020) and Sarap Mong Patayin (2021). In 2025, she became the national director of the Miss Universe Philippines Organization for training and development.

== Early life and education == Ariella "Ara" Hernandez Arida was born in Alaminos, Laguna, Philippines, to academics Arlesito Arida of Alaminos, and Estella Arida (née Hernandez) of San Pablo. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Los Baños with a degree in chemistry. She is a member of Iglesia ni Cristo. Prior to her career in pageantry, Arida was trained under Aces and Queens.

== Pageantry ==

=== Miss Philippines Earth 2012 ===

Arida competed at the Miss Philippines Earth 2012 where she did not place.

=== Binibining Pilipinas 2013 ===

Arida competed at the Binibining Pilipinas 2013 pageant held in the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 14, 2013. She would advance to the top 15 and win the award for Best in Swimsuit. During the question and answer portion, she was asked: "Name a lesson about life that women can teach men.” In her answer, she emphasized the importance of sensitivity, acknowledging that "men are more logical when it comes to decision[-making]" as women "use our hearts and tend to get emotional in some of our decisions", naming it an attribute that women can teach to men. At the end of the event, Arida won the Miss Universe Philippines title, being crowned by her predecessor Janine Tugonon, who placed as the first runner-up in Miss Universe in the preceding year. At the end of her tenure, Arida crowned Mary Jean Lastimosa as her successor at the Binibining Pilipinas 2014.

=== Miss Universe 2013 ===