Miss Universe Philippines 2025: What to expect and top contenders for crown

Dubai: Beauty pageant watchers, brace yourselves—Miss Universe Philippines 2025 is just days away, and soon a new queen will be crowned, world peace speeches and all, as Chelsea Manalo prepares to pass on her glittering title.

The grand finale is set to take place on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 6 p.m., inside the iconic SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines.

This year, 66 fierce and fabulous contenders will glide down the ramp in gorgeous gowns for the coveted crown.

The pageant kicked off with 69 hopefuls, but Cabanatuan City, Cebu Province, and Zamboanga City bowed out for reasons still under wraps. With fans passionately backing their faves and social media buzzing with predictions, the competition is hotter than ever.

The ceremony will be livestreamed on Empire Philippines’ YouTube channel, ensuring fans from around the world won’t miss a moment.

Turning up the glam factor, Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig will be gracing the coronation night, flanked by her dazzling continental court—Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina (Africa & Oceania), Peru’s Tatiana Calmell (Americas), Finland’s Matilda Wirtavouri (Europe & Middle East), and Asia’s own Chelsea Manalo, who’s set to hand over the crown in the night’s most anticipated sparkle-filled moment.

Hosting duties will be in capable hands, with Gabbi Garcia and Xian Lim leading the evening’s main program. Tim Yap and Erika Kristensen-Lee will bring viewers exclusive behind-the-scenes moments from backstage. And adding a dose of star power to the night are performers James Reid and Marlo Mortel, both set to deliver musical numbers worthy of the occasion.

Meanwhile, online voting has been extended until May 2, giving supporters one last chance to push their favorite candidates forward. The mechanics are simple but impactful: the top three vote-getters will enter the semifinals; the top two from that round will move on to the next stage; and the candidate with the highest number of votes will be granted a direct spot in the final round.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. The woman crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025 will not only carry the pride of the nation but will also represent the country at the 74th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to take place in Thailand this November.

As the lights dim and the music swells on coronation night, all eyes will be on the stage. Who will rise, who will shine, and who will be the next queen to wear the sash and crown? One thing’s for sure—Filipino pageant fans will be watching every moment, hearts pounding and banners waving.

Top contenders for the crown:

Pageant enthusiasts are eagerly speculating on who will succeed Chelsea Manalo. Based on recent performances, media coverage, and expert analyses, several candidates have emerged as frontrunners:​

1. Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez (Muntinlupa)
A seasoned pageant veteran, Winwyn made history as the first Filipina to win Reina Hispanoamericana in 2017. Her extensive experience and recent accolades, including the Miss Jell Life and Miss Mags awards, have positioned her as a leading candidate. ​

2. Ahtisa Manalo (Quezon Province)
Ahtisa boasts an impressive pageant resume, having been the 1st Runner-Up at Miss International 2018 and 2nd Runner-Up at Miss Universe Philippines 2024. Her strong advocacies and consistent performance have kept her in the spotlight. ​MEGA

3. Yllana Aduana (Siniloan, Laguna)
Crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2023 and Miss Earth-Air 2023, Yllana is known for her advocacy in environmental education. Her recent wins in sponsor awards like Miss Glutalipo and Miss Urban Smiles highlight her growing popularity. ​Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3MEGA+3Wikipedia

4. Chelsea Lovely Fernandez (Sultan Kudarat)
With titles like Miss Philippines Earth-Water 2019 and Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2022, Chelsea brings a wealth of experience. Her recent recognition as Miss Hello Glow and Miss Buscopan Venus underscores her strong presence in the competition.

5. Gabriella Mai Carballo (Cebu City)
Gabriella has been a standout in regional competitions, clinching multiple awards including Best in Evening Gown and Miss Photogenic at the Miss Universe Philippines Cebu 2025 pageant.