I once said that I may not afford to watch Miss Universe live each year, I’ll at least try to make Miss Universe Philippines an annual habit. So far, I’ve been at it since public gatherings resumed in 2022, even if it meant going solo in the first two years. It wasn’t until the previous edition that I started watching with company – to be exact: my then-boss and his former colleagues.

This year’s companions have a distinct connection to the contest. I share a similar flair for pageantry as singer-actor Allen Cecilio, whom I worked with in my last consultancy. While, his best friend and co-artist, Rein Hillary Carrascal, had seen action herself two years ago as Miss Universe Sorsogon. It was only last year when they recorded the track, “Higit Pa Sa Ganda”, for the pageant. But on that particular night, just like me, they were there as spectators.

We reached our seats in time for the lavish opening number, set to Miss Universe 1994’s opening theme, “Mabuhay”. As followers would recall, this wasn’t the first time the franchise employed the throwback track. They had already used it in the inaugural edition’s National Costume montage. There was inevitable nostalgia in watching the costumed delegates gyrate to the said song. Even younger fans (like my “dates”) felt the spectacle. And much to everyone’s collective surprise, it wasn’t just the incumbent queen and reigning Miss Universe Asia, Chelsea Manalo, who took the stage during the number. She was joined by Denmark’s reigning Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, and the other Continental titleholders, Finland’s Matilda Wirtavuori (Miss Universe Europe and Middle East), Peru’s Tatiana Calmell (Miss Universe Americas), and Nigeria’s Chiddima Adetshina (Miss Universe Africa and Oceania).

This year’s proceedings felt relatively fast-paced, compared to last year, where the gaps took forever. After a quick introduction from hosts Xian Lim and Gabbi Garcia and commentators Tim Yap and pageant alumna Erika Kristensen-Lee, the competition was on.

First Cut

This year’s Top 24 comprised of 19 preliminary top scorers and five Fan Vote winners. It wasn’t a Top 30, as Wikipedia initially and inaccurately stated, nor was it a repeat of last year’s Top 20 format, which I erroneously applied in my forecast. Either way, there’s thrill in seeing 18 of my 20 picks actually advance. And if I take into account the ones I ranked 21st to 24th, then I got 19 correct.
So, who were my two picks left in the “cold”? Well, there’s Pasig’s Lexy Eugenio, the closest this batch had to an El Tocuyo awardee, and I guess you can consider me minority in pegging Camiguin’s Larsine Jensen as a sure pick. I personally found her strong.

Also missing from my “Close Shots” tier were Interview standout Iloilo City, Face of Mags short-listers Pangasinan and Tacloban, Glutalipo People’s Choice winner Siargao, and Team Kapampangan (Pampanga and Angeles City). Upon noticing her region’s shutout, Rein exclaimed: “Hala, walang taga-Bicol na pumasok!” (“Oh, no, nobody made it from Bicol!”) To which, I quipped “O, dali, Punta na sa stage!” (“Quick, take the stage”) But, even in the absence of the aforementioned, it was a well-selected line-up. Even the Fan Vote winners were placement-worthy to begin with.

After a quick introductory strut, where a voiceover shared each of their bios, it was time for the Swimsuit Round.

The Quarter-Finals

Accompanied by James Reid performing hisnew single “Love the Chase”, the quarter-finalists showcased their catwalks in Albert Andrada swimsuits and Jojo Bragais shoes. Here’s a quick run-through of the candidates who made that round.

There was always an inkling that Bulacan’s Franchezca Mae Pacheco would continue the incumbent queen’s momentum. True enough, there she was – securing her slot as the BingoPlus Fan Vote winner, and not Oriental Mindoro’s Rechel Hoco as originally suspected. Anyway, the Dubai-based vlogger was bound to make it through sheer merit, which she did. And with her Occidental counterpart, Ain Niqyla Abad, also joining the fray, it was indeed a watershed year for their island.

Also scoring breakthroughs were Sasha Lacuna from debuting Tarlac and Maiko Ibarde, the proud Igorota from Benguet. And while we’re at the topic of the Cordilleras, Valerie West also made it for Ifugao, even though she’s every inch a New Yorker. She’s joined by  Davao’s Angeleyh Pasco, the second consecutive Hawaiian to make the cut, and Malay, Aklan’s Taylor de Luna, the globe-trotter from Southern California.

Rounding up the overseas girls in that tier were half of Team Aussie. There’s Lucena City’s Bella de la Cruz, the refreshing surprise who topped Choicely Fan Vote, and Nueva Ecija’s Chanel Olive Thomas, the seasoned veteran who finished Top 10 in Miss Supranational 2017. If anything, it was more throwback than payback for the Melbourne native, who herself acknowledged that she wasn’t a frontrunner. Nevertheless, she still earned a spot and slayed in what she declared as her final hurrah. It was bittersweet, to say the least, seeing her bow out this early. Same can be said with pre-pageant favorite Jarina Sandhu from Isabela and Canadian-born Eco International alumna Jasmine Paguio, representing Manila. But, the fact of the matter was, the field had to be narrowed down once again.

Dolled Up

Serenaded by Marlo Motel who performed “Bed Weather”, the Top 12 then took the stage in their evening gowns. With the Pina Fan Vote Top Two already locked in, the placement of Bianca Ylanan felt less shocking. And, besides, she was always a dark horse possibility, if not a major shoo-in. But much as she exuded enough polish to justify her inclusion, there was no way the crown favorites would falter. It’s as far as the medical scientist could get. But still, congratulations to the Province of Quirino for its first ever placement.

Same goes for Iligan City, represented by Juliana Fresado. While pegged as a possible usurper in the Challenges, she struggled the most in this round. Apart from her pre-mature reveal, she visibly had a hard time descending those steps and, for that matter, bearing the weight of her cape. To her credit, though, she looked immaculate in her end pose. And too bad the franchise no longer carries Miss Eco Teen. She would have been the easy choice for that, being 19. One the same boat was another pre-final crown threat, Baguio’s Gwendoline Soriano, who ditched her preliminary Sheynnis Palacios frock, in favor of a fiery Rian Fernandez number. She too struggled with those steps and was inevitably outshone.

Pennsylvania’s Amanda Russo also advanced, and was therefore, the highest placing “Filipino Society” girl. Apart from that, she also put Pasay City back in contention after its victory in 2022, and how appropriate: that winner, Celeste Cortesi, sat as judge. Also scoring for the Fil-Ams, though crowned locally, was Nevada native (and Maggie Wilson dead-ringer) Tyra Goldman. She’s now Bohol’s best performer since iconic three-seater Pauline Amelinckx.

One point observed about Laguna’s Eloisa Jaoud was that, despite posing a serious threat to the veterans, she tends to be outshone in evening gown. So, much as she rocked the billowy cape on that white Jhobes Estrella number, the threat was left un-actualized (for now, hopefully). In the end, it was another newcomer who faced off with the crown contenders. And that lady’s from the Visayas.

Cebuana Stronghold 

Everyone more or less expected newbie Dr. Gabriella Carballo to sustain the Cebuana  streak, but few projected her to join the veterans in the final showdown. Yet, when she smiled through her struts and relished every moment onstage, she became harder to deny. She wasn’t pageant patty. She was simply living the best night of her life, and one couldn’t turn a blind eye to that. With that striking end turn in her Furne Amato frock, she had secured her slot. More so, when she showcased her gift of “Gab” in final interview. By winning The Miss Philippines-Eco International, she now faces the daunting task of replicating Alexie Brooks’ recent victory. The good news is that her profession gives her an edge in that environmental-themed Egyptian pageant. That, and she’ll have more than a year to prepare. So, for the time being, her province can continue celebrating her victory.  

Supra-Bound

Just as fortunate was Taguig’s Katrina Llegado, who entered the race with a lofty past achievement (she was 2022’s 2nd Runner-Up) and looked every inch ready for the global stage once again. Yet, despite those perceived aces, she wasn’t regarded as the clear-cut frontrunner at first. Pin it down perhaps on the presence of other esteemed veterans, but, obviously, raising the finalist roster to six worked in her favor. It increased her chances of returning to the winners’ circle and, with more crowns up for grabs, she was finally deemed worthy. The Miss Philippines-Supranational is just the right fit, given that pageant’s Victoria’s Secret leanings. She’s bound to slay in Poland next year. But, for now, it’s Tarah Valencia’s turn.

The Resident Kontesera 

Whatever locality Chelsea Fernandez chooses to represent, it’s bound for a record finish. Too bad it wasn’t Eastern Visayas, as her fervid fans would assume, but her debuting province of birth, Sultan Kudarat. Looking back at her track record, she was always one of the picks, if not universally the pick. Such was the case when she earned an element in Miss Philippines Earth 2019 and, again, when she won Bb. Pilipinas-Globe in 2022.

But, much as that status quo more or less remained, her performance was unforgettable, from her spot-on swimsuit strut to the spellbinding twirls she did in her Leo Almodal number. She was flawless. Now, as The Miss Philippines-Cosmo 2025, she’ll be the next to see global action, after the actual MUPh winner. Her mission now will be to claim what was previously denied in Vietnam or, at least, make Pinoy fans hate that pageant less. Surely, she can solicit tips from her predecessor, who’s also now her fellow queen. And nothing’s stopping her from even emulating that same trajectory all the way, by joining again next year. 

An Earth-ling’s New Quest

Even with another Laguna bet eyed as possible upset, Yllana Marie Adana continued capitalizing on her strengths. She never stopped conquering the stage and gave a winning performance, even if the crown seemed destined for someone else (for now, at least). 

Rumors abound that she was initially eyed for one of the other crowns. But just like Stacey Gabriel before her, she turned that down. It was Universe-or-nothing for this fan favorite, so, presumably, she was 2nd Runner-Up by choice. Right now, fans can only reckon what that implies: whether she’ll give it another try next year or if she’ll soon heed the call of MGI. Either way, there’s this gnawing feeling we haven’t seen the last of her.  

Still a Reina 

If I may divulge, there were reasons why I was partial to Winwyn Marquez (currently helping out her younger sister, more on this soon). Though I must concede, that much as she looked every inch the showstopper crowned Asia’s first Reina Hispanoamericana eight years ago, the field’s now far more intense and, well, preferences do fluctuate over time.

She did take several risks come finals night, from toning down her hip sways in swimsuit to ditching Marquez Family Green in evening gown. Fans may have missed seeing those trademarks, but that was probably the point. She didn’t want to be predictable. 

Yet the fact remains, there was always more than one crown contender. She was only one of them. So, even when she gave her all and responded with the usual eloquence, the decision all boiled down to consensual choice. It was someone else. And coincidentally, that lady also wore pink. 

Given her decade-spanning track record, 1st Runner-Up feels anti-climactic. But it’s also understandable. Even if she’s still within the Supranational age bracket, she’s already a mom. That left Miss Universe as her only default option, which never translated to a guarantee. 

Now, as she graciously bows out of pageantry, she can only continue thriving. Lest we forget, she’s still in showbiz and nothing can take away her previous achievements. They’re part of pageant history now and, in that respect, she retires as a champion. 

Ahtisa the Avenger

And, we really should have seen it coming, when Ahtisa Manalo showed up at the contract signing, much to the qualifiers’ collective shock, and joined the fray just three months fresh from Miss Cosmo. Obviously, the internet exploded and imagine the merriment of fans who found her flawless last year. 

It’s clear that a way was paved. She herself revealed it wasn’t part of the plan, and only jumped at a chance when the original Quezon Province bet, reportedly Kelley Day, pulled out due to prior commitments. So, speculations aside, universal alignment was still part of the equation – universal, in every sense of the word. To no surprise, the odds shifted, and betting against her suddenly proved futile. 

Perhaps, we can equate her onstage stumble to her pageant journey itself. Standing up took time but, when she finally did, it was a divine recovery. It was like she was a different woman, as she got back on her feet. She looked more unstoppable. And, from that moment, her triumph felt imminent.

The Miriam Quiambao route she took in Top Six was hardly original, but it was candid and sincere. There’s a reason Gloria Diaz opined that intelligence is only part of the complex formula. More than eloquence, the panel wants to see the candidate’s heart, soul, and aura. And it’s what they ultimately saw in Ahtisa, who showcased vulnerability, while still standing tall. 

We can only surmise why it took her this long. One thing’s for sure, we’ve seen this narrative, from Mary Jean to Pia, Jehza Huelar to Pauline Amelinckx. Their respective courses may have taken different directions, but one pattern prevails: their journeys culminated in huge ways anyway; the long wait wasn’t in vain. 

So was this all pre-determined? To a degree, probably – given how she was pegged since 2020 and how her joining again was a breeze. What matters is she did the work throughout, too. And, in premise, it’s the organization’s right and call to have a say, especially when they deem someone qualified. Just so happens, her time is ripe.