Familiar faces and new dreams at Miss Universe PH 2025
In just six editions, the Miss Universe Philippines competition has positioned itself as a pageant worth betting on, not only enticing seasoned beauty queens to try their luck anew but also getting sponsors to continue their partnership with the national organization.
Among the 69 aspirants introduced to the press at Makati Shangri-La on Feb. 15 were familiar faces, including last year’s Miss Bingo Plus Maica Cabling Martinez from Cabanatuan City. There were fan favorites who have seen action on the international stage: 2017 Reina Hispanoamericana Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez, 2023 Miss Earth-Air Yllana Marie Aduana, and 2018 Miss International first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo, who finished third in last year’s national pageant.
Also returning to the Miss Universe Philippines stage is 2022 runner-up Katrina Llegado, quinta finalista (fifth runner-up) in the 2019 Reina Hispanoamericana tilt, and 2020 semifinalist Chella Falconer.
Binibining Pilipinas queens who have reaped titles in the Miss Philippines Earth pageant have also joined the fray, namely Chelsea Fernandez from Sultan Kudarat and Chanel Olive Thomas from Nueva Ecija. Both women have placed in international beauty contests.
Miss Universe Philippines Organization (MUPH) executive vice president Voltaire Tayag hopes this will be perceived “as a sign that it is a pageant built on integrity, passion, and a safe place for women, that these women are risking what they’ve already established in pageantry for something truly worth it.”
He told Lifestyle in an interview, “Miss Universe is the pinnacle of pageantry. For many, the only thing that held them back before were restrictions. When the age and marital status restrictions were lifted, the dream to become Miss Universe became a possibility again.”
Keep trying
He added: “At the same time, there is no limit to the number of times one can compete for the national title. So some keep trying and trying until they succeed. We have 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach to thank for inspiring these women to do that.”
Wurtzbach clinched the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title on her third attempt.
He said the ladies find the Miss Universe Philippines pageant worth taking the risk for. “They stay relevant, and winning a title or placement can increase your marketability and talent fee. So it’s a wise and strategic professional move. Both risks and rewards are high. I think most queens focus on the rewards and go for it,” Tayag explained.
But aside from the candidates, also staging a “comeback” in MUPH are its sponsors Bingo Plus, Jell Life, and Mags, while Pina and Pablo are making their debut this year.
“MUPH takes its partnerships and sponsorships seriously. I feel that constant and clear communications with our partners and sponsors is key to the success of the relationship,” Tayag said.
“The primary reason MUPH was created is to find the country’s representative for Miss Universe. In order to attract the best women to compete in MUPH, it was essential for us to create a strong, reputable, and trusted brand,” he said.
“It isn’t just one factor that makes the whole thing work. When the women see major brands, celebrities, provinces or local government units, and charitable institutions supporting MUPH and vice versa, that trust and loyalty is also transferred to MUPH,” Tayag added.
The 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant is seeking the successor of Chelsea Manalo, to raise the country’s colors at the 74th Miss Universe competition to be held in Thailand this November.
