Philippine kings and queens’ stellar year in global pageantry
It’s a banner year for the Philippines in 2025, with back-to-back title feats in Miss Grand International and strong finishes in the Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss World pageants, giving credence to its prominence as a powerhouse country in global beauty competitions.
Christine Julianne Opiaza was proclaimed Miss Grand International 2024 in a crowning ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand, in June 2025. Opiaza took over from original winner Rachel Gupta of India, who was stripped of her title, becoming the first Filipina to wear the crown and completing the Philippines’ collection of the six ‘grand slam’ beauty titles, only the third country to accomplish the feat alongside Brazil and Puerto Rico.
Emma Mary Tiglao captured a back-to-back victory, succeeding Opiaza in Miss Grand International 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in October 2025, making the Philippines the first country to achieve the feat since the pageant’s debut in 2013.
Christine Julianne Opiaza
Ahtisa Manalo did her country proud, placing as third runner-up in Miss Universe 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2025. It is the country’s best finish in Miss Universe since Beatrice Luigi Gomez’s Top 5 placement in 2021. Fatima Bosch of Mexico became the 74th Miss Universe amid rigging allegations.
Manalo adds to the list of the country’s six Miss Universe third runner-up finishers: Lalaine Bennett (1963), Rosario “Chat” Silayan (1980), Desiree Verdadero (1984), Shamcey Supsup (2011), and Ariella Arida (2013).
Bb. Pilipinas ‘Diamond Queen’ Myrna Esguerra finished as fourth runner-up in Miss International 2025, held in Tokyo, Japan, in November 2025, won by Catalina Duque of Colombia. Esguerra is the sixth Filipina to achieve a Top 5 runner-up finish since 1971.
Krishnah Gravidez ended up in the Top 8 in Miss World 2025, held in Telangana, India, in May 2025, won by Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand. Gravidez was named Miss World Asia 2025 and gave the country its best finish since Michelle Dee’s Top 12 placement in 2019.
Deanna Marie Mate started the year on a winning note in Reina Hispanoamericana 2025, held in Bolivia in February 2025, becoming the second Filipina to win the title after Winwyn Marquez in 2017.
Alexie Brookes was crowned Miss Eco International 2025 in Alexandria, Egypt, in April 2025, the third Filipina to win the title after Cynthia Thomalla in 2018 and Kathleen Paton in 2022.
Krishan Pauline Alerre was named Miss Aura International 2025 in Antalya, Turkiye, in May 2025.
Mutya ng Pilipinas’ Christine Eds Enero was crowned Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2025 in Genting, Malaysia, in October 2025.
Back-to-back victories were achieved by Francine Gabrielle Tajanlangit in Miss Elite Global 2025, held in Goa, India, in May 2025; Arianna Charlize Pantaleon in Miss Environment International 2025, held in Parañaque City; and Nikki Buenafe Cheveh in Face of Beauty International 2025, held in Taichung, Taiwan, both in November 2025.
Tarah Valencia placed third runner-up in Miss Supranational 2025, held in Malopolska, Poland, in May 2025, won by Eduarda Braum of Brazil. Former Bb. Pilipinas-Globe 2023 Anna Valencia Lakrini, representing her father’s country of Germany, was named first runner-up.
Annabelle McDonell finished in the Top 11 and won the Head-to-Head Challenge award in Miss Globe 2025, held in Albania in October 2025, won by Chayathanus Saradatta of Thailand.
Joy Barcoma finished as runner-up (Top 8) in Miss Earth 2025, held in Parañaque in November 2025, won by Natálie Puškinová of the Czech Republic.
Anita Rose Gomez was named first runner-up in the earthquake-interrupted Miss Asia-Pacific International 2025, held in Cebu City in October 2025, won by Isabela Fernandes of Brazil.
Paula Vitug finished as first runner-up in Miss Teen Eco International 2025, held in Alexandria, Egypt, in October 2025, won by Itzel Huerta of Venezuela.
Alyssa Mildred Villariña placed second runner-up in Miss Global Universe 2025, held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, in July 2025, won by Quinty Verhoeve of the Netherlands. Xena Ramos was fourth runner-up in Miss Global 2025, held in Nonthaburi, Thailand, in March 2025, and won by Nguyen Dinh Van of Vietnam. Charyzah Esparrago placed first runner-up in Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2025, won by Joy Mwangi of the USA, held at Okada Manila in July 2025.
Alessandra David was named second runner-up in Miss Celebrity International 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in December 2025, and won by Vietnam’s Tran Tran My Linh.
Chelsea Fernandez nearly ended the year with a bang, finishing as runner-up (second place) in Miss Cosmo 2025, won by Yolina Lindquist of the USA, held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in December 2025. Fernandez also won Best in Evening Gown and the People’s Choice award.
In male pageants, the country came out with its best performance in years, bannered by Kirk Bondad’s victory in the 17th Mister International 2025, held in Nonthaburi, Thailand, in September 2025. Bondad joined the company of compatriots Mister International 2014 Neil Perez and Grasim Mr. International 2001 Alexander Aquino.
Kenneth Vincent Cabungcal finished as fourth runner-up in the 9th Mister Supranational 2025, held in Nowy Sącz, Poland, in May 2025, won by France’s Swann Lavigne.
Jordan San Juan placed third runner-up in the 23rd Manhunt International Male Supermodel 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in June 2025, won by France’s Adonis Renaud.
Kenneth Rios Marcelino was named first runner-up in the 3rd Mister Cosmopolitan 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2025, won by Taiwan’s Shawn Lin Yu Hsiang.
Jether Palomo placed in the Top 11 in Mister Global 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in October 2025, and won by Spain’s Alejandro Ortega.
Michael Angelo Toledo placed as second runner-up in Man of the Year 2025, held in Bali-Lombok, Indonesia, in November 2025, and won by Taiwan’s Ven Lee.
Marck Marasigan closed out the year by winning Mister Celebrity International 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in December 2025.
In pageants for married women, Evangeline Mae Castillo-Robea was named Classic Mrs. International Global 2025 in finals held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in September 2025.
Wendelyn Talabis was crowned Mrs. Supranational Elite 2025, while Princess Abella placed as first runner-up in Mrs. Grand International 2025, both held in Yangon, Myanmar, in July 2025. Cherryann Alix Solomon won Mrs. Planet Asia 2025 in Turkey, and Sugar Mercado won M. S. Universe 2025 in the Philippines.
