# Ariella Arida

Ariella "Ara" Hernandez Arida (Tagalog:; 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

Arida represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2013 pageant at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia, on November 9, 2013. She won the 16th spot in the semifinals via the online vote. She also bagged the Ice Princess award in the winter-themed glam shot competition.
She would advance to the top five question and answer portion, where she was asked "what can be done about the lack of jobs for young people starting their careers around the world?" In her answer, she called for further investments in education, noting it as her primary advocacy and branding education as the "primary source and ticket to a better future".
Arida finished as third runner-up to Gabriela Isler of Venezuela. Her finish marked the Philippines's fourth consecutive year in the top five. Arida was also the only delegate representing an Asian country to place in the Top 5.

## Post-pageantry

Arida was designated as the national director of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant on February 16, 2025, after her predecessor, Shamcey Supsup-Lee, launched a bid for councilor in the 2025 Pasig local elections. The pageant announced that Arida's role as national director will place emphasis on the training and development of its competitors, starting in that year's edition.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2020 | Coming Home | Mercy Dungca | Supporting role | |
| 2021 | Sarap Mong Patayin | Krista | Main role | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2015 | Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal | Contestant/Lucky Stars | ABS-CBN |
| 2016–2017; 2021 | Wowowin | Herself/Co-host/Guest co-host | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Dear Uge | Ariella | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Asia's Next Top Model | Herself/Cycle 5 Guest | STAR World |
| 2017 | Rated K | Herself/Guest | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | Tonight with Boy Abunda | Herself/Guest | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | The Source | Herself/Guest | CNN Philippines |
| 2017 | ANC Headstart with Karen Davila | Herself/Guest | ABS-CBN News Channel |
| 2018 | It’s Showtime | Herself/Judge | ABS-CBN |
| 2018–2019 | Playhouse | Irene Flores | ABS-CBN |
| 2019–2020 | The Killer Bride | Tatiana Dela Torre | ABS-CBN |
| 2019–2020 | Umagang Kay Ganda | Herself/Co-Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2020 | Eat Bulaga! | Herself/Guest Contestant | GMA Network |
| 2021 | The Lost Recipe | Lotus Mandela/Elora | GMA News TV (now GTV) |
| 2021–2022 | Stories From the Heart: The End of Us | Eunice Uytengco | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Wish Ko Lang: Selos | Dayan | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Abot-Kamay na Pangarap | Shamcey | GMA Network |
| 2023 | Black Rider | Therese Soriano | GMA Network |
| 2025 | Shining Inheritance | Sally | GMA Network |
| 2025 | It's Showtime | Herself/Judge | Kapamilya Channel A2Z ALLTV GMA Network |