The Philippines closed 2025 with another banner year in international beauty pageantry, delivering a number of high-profile placements and wins that reaffirmed the country’s standing as a pageant powerhouse.
Emma Mary Tiglao wins the Miss Grand International 2025 title. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
From the prestigious “Big Four” competitions to emerging global platforms, Filipino delegates repeatedly advanced to final rounds and claimed crowns across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. Pageant observers noted that the year’s results reflected not only individual talent but also the country’s structured training programs, strong national franchises and continued emphasis on advocacy-driven competition.
Ma. Ahtisa Manalo concludes her highly-anticipated Miss Universe run with a 3rd Runner-Up finish at the 74th edition of the world’s most prominent beauty pageant held in Thailand on Nov. 21. PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK/MANALOMAAHTISA
Big Four pageants show sustained global presence
In the most widely watched international contests, the Philippines maintained its reputation for placing high into competition.
At the Miss Universe 2025 grand coronation night on November 21 in Thailand, Ma. Ahtisa Manalo capped her international journey with a third runner-up finish at the 74th edition of the pageant. Manalo, who earned the Miss Universe Philippines title earlier in the year, impressed judges with her polished runway walk and calm delivery during the final question-and-answer round. Her placement marked the country’s strongest Miss Universe result since 2022. Fátima Bosch of Mexico won the main crown.
Myrna Esguerra places 4th runner-up at Miss International. PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK/ITS.ESGUERRAMYRNA
The Philippines also returned to the Top 5 at the Miss International 2025, staged on November 27 in Tokyo, Japan. Myrna Esguerra placed fourth runner-up in the pageant, which emphasizes diplomacy, cultural exchange and global goodwill.
Esguerra’s showing continued the Philippines’ long track record of success in the Japan-based competition. The grand title went to Catalina Duque of Colombia.
Krishnah Gravidez makes it to the Top 8 at Miss World 2025, while earning the title of Miss World Asia 2025. PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK/KRISH.GRAVIDEZ
While the country fell short of main title other major contests, Filipino candidates still posted strong results. Krishnah Gravidez advanced to the Top 8 at Miss World 2025 and earned the title of Miss World Asia 2025.
At Miss Earth 2025, held in the Philippines, host delegate Joy Barcoma finished as one of the runners-up, placing in the Top 8 and drawing strong local support in the environmentally focused pageant. The Miss Earth crown went to the Czech Republic.
Dia Maté of the Philippines is crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on Feb. 9. PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/RHISPANAOFICIAL
Crowns and milestones beyond the majors
Outside the Big Four, 2025 proved especially fruitful for Filipino representatives, who dominated several international platforms.
Emma Mary Tiglao won the Miss Grand International 2025 title on October 18. She made history by securing the first-ever back-to-back victory for the Philippines in the pageant’s history, succeeding fellow Filipina Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza.
Alexie Brooks claims the Miss Eco International 2025 title in Alexandria. PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/ALEXIE_BROOKS.OFFICIAL, ELDRED NEAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Dia Maté delivered one of the year’s most celebrated victories by winning Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Her win was notable for expanding the Philippines’ presence in Spanish-language pageants traditionally dominated by Latin American countries as the second Filipino contestant to ever win the pageant.
In Egypt, Alexie Brooks bagged the Miss Eco International 2025 title in Alexandria, becoming one of the country’s standout environmental advocates on the global stage. Brooks’ win also continued the Philippines’ strong history in sustainability-driven competitions.
The country secured another milestone with a back-to-back victory at Miss Elite Global, as Francine Tajanlangit was crowned “Miss Elite Global 2025” in Goa, India. The consecutive win highlighted the Philippines’ growing influence in newer international pageants.
Further victories followed across Europe and North America. Krishan Pauline Alerre was crowned Miss Aura International 2025 in Antalya, Türkiye, while Kate Constantino and Rein Gonzales clinched the Ms. Queen of the World 2025 and Miss Queen of the World 2025 titles, respectively in New York City. Their wins underscored the Philippines’ expanding footprint in inclusive and diversity-driven pageants.
Adding to the list of high placements, Chelsea Fernandez, a former Binibining Pilipinas, contender placed first runner-up at the inaugural “Miss Cosmo 2025” pageant in Vietnam. The newly launched competition crowned Yolina Lindquist of the United States as its first titleholder.
As the year draws to a close, anticipation has already begun for the next cycle of international competitions. With a deep pool of experienced contenders and a track record of consistency, the Philippines enters the new year set to compete and win the crown across the world’s most prominent pageant stages.
