The Miss Universe Philippines 2025 pageant is shaping up to be a compelling clash between seasoned frontrunners and emerging talents. Last year, Chelsea Manalo redefined expectations as the celebrated “dark horse” of her batch—her unexpected rise to the crown a reminder that in pageantry, momentum can shift in a single moment. This year, while established names continue to dominate the conversation, a number of lesser-known candidates have delivered surprisingly strong performances in the preliminaries. Their poise and presence suggest that the race remains wide open—and that the crown may once again fall into the hands of the unexpected.
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Maiko Ibarde, Benguet
Maiko Ibarde impressed during the preliminaries with one of the most striking swimsuit walks of the preliminaries. Representing Benguet and proudly embracing her identity as an Igorota, she delivered clean lines, confident strides, and sharp poses that highlighted her poise and polish. Called the “Maiden Queen” and believed to be the province’s first-ever Miss Universe Philippines delegate, Ibarde is turning quiet momentum into real presence—emerging as a dark horse whose performance speaks louder than the hype.
Rechel Hoco, Oriental Mindoro
Rechel Hoco brought quiet confidence to the preliminaries, delivering one of the more fluid and composed swimsuit walks of the night. Her movements were smooth and unforced, with a poised gaze and effortless transitions that let her natural stage presence shine. She carried the same quiet strength into the evening gown segment, further proving her ability to hold attention without theatrics. Without relying on flair or fanfare, Hoco is emerging as a dark horse defined by elegance, control, and understated impact.
Valerie Pawid West, Ifugao
This Ifugao representative surprised pageant watchers with a composed, confident showing during the preliminaries. Her swimsuit walk was clean and commanding, while her evening gown performance showcased elegance and polish far beyond what’s expected. A Reina Filipina North America titleholder, she has quickly proven she belongs among the standouts. With grace under pressure and poise that resonates, West is fast becoming one of the edition’s most promising dark horses.
Angeleyh Pasco, Davao
Being a newcomer in the pageant world, Angeleyh Pasco might have seemed like a long shot, but her preliminary performance told a different story. Representing Davao, Pasco brought warmth and command to the stage, with a confident swimsuit walk and a graceful turn in her evening gown. Her natural charm and proud embrace of her roots are clearly resonating, quietly positioning her as one of the most promising fresh faces in the competition.
Taylor Marie De Luna, Malay, Aklan
This queen made a strong impression during the preliminaries with a confident and well-executed performance. Her runway presence—marked by a steady walk, composed delivery, and striking features—allowed her to hold her own alongside more seasoned candidates. Representing Malay, Aklan, De Luna brought both poise and polish to the stage, positioning herself as a quiet standout in an intensely competitive batch.
Photos and Featured Image: MAIKO IBARDE, RECHEL HOCO, VALERIE WEST, TAYLOR MARIE DE LUNA (via Instagram)
