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In a country where beauty pageants rival sporting events in national fervor, the search for the next Miss Universe Philippines is more than a competition—it’s a spectacle. With 68 candidates in the running, this year’s edition promises a battle of brilliance and beauty, marked by the return of seasoned contenders and pageant powerhouses.
This year’s crown chase tightens further as fan favorites and familiar faces step into the spotlight once again. All eyes are now on the stage that will determine who earns the honor of representing the Philippines at the Miss Universe competition set for November 21 in Bangkok, Thailand.
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Ahtisa Manalo: 4 Pageants
- Binibining Pilipinas 2018
- Miss International 2018
- Miss Universe Philippines 2024
- Miss Cosmo 2024
Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province brings a wealth of experience to this year’s competition. With four major pageants under her belt—including Binibining Pilipinas 2018, Miss International 2018, Miss Universe Philippines 2024, and Miss Cosmo 2024—she returns to the national stage after finishing as last year’s second runner-up and placing in the Top 10 at Miss Cosmo.
Yllana Marie Aduana: 4 Pageants
- Miss Philippines Earth 2021
- Binibining Pilipinas 2022
- Miss Philippines Earth 2023
- Miss Earth 2023
Yllana Marie Aduana, Miss Earth-Air 2023 and representative of Siniloan, Laguna, brings advocacy, experience, and ambition to the Miss Universe stage. A licensed medical technologist and passionate sustainability advocate, she’s no stranger to high-stakes competition.
Winwyn Marquez: 3 Pageants
- Binibining Pilipinas 2015
- Miss World Philippines 2017
- Reina Hispanoamericana 2017
Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez, representing Muntinlupa, is a standout in the international pageant circuit. In 2017, she made history as the first Asian to win Reina Hispanoamericana. A celebrated actress and seasoned contender, she returns with both experience and legacy.
Amanda Russo: 3 Pageants
- Miss Young Philippines USA 2019
- Miss Filipina International 2023
- Reina Filipina North America 2025
Jessica Cianchino: 3 Pageants
- Miss Asia Pacific International 2019
- Miss Earth 2022
- Miss Filipinas Worldwide 2025
The international front also brings its own standouts: Amanda Russo, representing Pasay and the Filipino society of Pennsylvania, was recently named runner-up at the 2025 Reina Filipina North America pageant. Jessica Cianchino, representing San Jose, Batangas, on behalf of the Filipino society of Eastern Canada, boasts a résumé that includes a runner-up finish at Miss Asia Pacific International, a stint at Miss Earth 2022, and a recent Miss Filipinas Global crown—proof of her pageant polish and stage command. Together, these candidates reflect the far-reaching pride and passion of the Filipino diaspora—and prove that the journey to the crown knows no borders.
Chelsea Fernandez: 3 Pageants
- Miss Philippines Earth 2019
- Binibining Pilipinas 2022
- Miss Globe 2022
Chelsea Fernandez, this year’s Miss Universe Philippines Sultan Kudarat, enters the competition with notable pageant experience. She holds titles from both Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Philippines Earth—reigning as Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2022 and Miss Philippines-Water 2019.
Chanel Olive Thomas: 3 Pageants
- Miss Philippines Earth 2015
- Binibining Pilipinas 2017
- Miss Supranational 2017
This queen representing Nueva Ecija via the Filipino society of Melbourne, holds two major crowns: Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2017 and Miss Philippines-Air 2015.
Katrina Llegado: 3 Pageants
- Miss World Philippines 2019
- Reina Hispanoamericana 2019
- Miss Universe Philippines 2022
Katrina Llegado, Taguig, is a vision of consistency and poise; she is returning to the Miss Universe Philippines stage after finishing as 2022 runner-up and earning a Top 5 placement at Reina Hispanoamericana 2019.
Tyra Goldman: 2 Pageants
- Mutya ng Pilipinas 2019
- Miss Global 2020
Tyra Goldman of Bohol, Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International 2019 and Miss Global 2020, also brings valuable experience to this year’s competitive field.
Karen Nicole Piccio: 1 Pageant
- Miss Philippines Earth 2019
Karen Nicole Piccio of Iloilo, 2019’s Miss Philippines-Ecotourism, adds depth to this year’s already formidable lineup with her experience and advocacy.
Experience gives them an edge, no doubt, but it’s still anyone’s game. If Chelsea Manalo’s reign has taught Filipino pageant fans anything, it’s to never underestimate an underdog. In a sea of veterans and queens with storied resumes, there’s always room for a dark horse to rise—and that possibility keeps the Miss Universe Philippines pageant as thrilling as ever.
Photos and Featured Image: BB. PILIPINAS, MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES, IAN MENDAJAR, KATRINA LLEGADO, AHTISA MANALO, WINWYN MARQUEZ, CHELSEA FERNANDEZ, KAREN PICCIO, JESSICA CIANCHINO, AMANDA RUSSO (via Instagram)
