MANILA, Philippines — It is common knowledge that in the Philippines all things are put on hold for three “B’s” — basketball, boxing and beauty pageants.
Each game by Gilas Pilipinas offers either hope or heartbreaks, which is why more fans prefer watching the PBA or the UAAP. Meanwhile, the legend himself, Manny Pacquiao, returned to the boxing ring and isn’t showing signs of hanging up the gloves again.
But beauty pageants have long been a staple of local pop culture, dating back to Gloria Diaz winning the Philippines’ first Miss Universe title until iconic responses like “I do not feel any pressure right now” and “High tide or low tide?”
Pageants have steadied the course of their existence, proving that beyond being beauty contests, they are platforms for change and inspiration, a voice to be heard by many around the world.
The 21st century alone has proven the strength of Filipinos in pageantry, highlighted by a 12-year run qualifying in the Miss Universe semifinals which included two crowns and four consecutive podium finishes.
2025 may very well be the Philippines’ banner year for pageantry as Filipinos won left and right, or at the very least placed high or came away as fan favorites.
Philstar.com goes into a rundown of the Philippines’ 2025 in pageantry, from the crowns won to podiums claimed.
The Big 4
Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth form what is called “The Big Four” beauty pageants because of their prestige and the attention they’ve obtained across the years.
The Philippines is the third country (fourth including the territory of Puerto Rico) and the first in Asia to win all four after Megan Young’s Miss World 2013 victory, only behind Venezuela and the United States overall Big 4 wins.
In fact the Philippines holds the distinction of the longest Big 4 win streak as Megan’s win was followed by:
- Bea Santiago at Miss International 2013
- Jamie Herrell at Miss Earth 2014
- Angelia Ong the following year (the first and only back-to-back at Miss Earth)
- Pia Wurtzbach at Miss Universe 2015
- Kylie Verzosa at Miss International 2016
- Karen Ibasco at Miss Earth 2017 (a record fourth, the most at Miss Earth)
- Catriona Gray at Miss Universe 2018
This year, the Philippines did not win a crown in any of the Big 4 pageants, but each representative left their mark in their respective competitions.
Ahtisa Manalo was the third runner-up at Miss Universe 2025, winning also Best in National Costume and placing third in the Beyond the Crown competition.
Myrna Esguerra was the fourth runner-up at Miss International 2025, meanwhile, Krishnah Gravidez finished her long wait by placing in the Top 8 of Miss World 2025 and appointed the Continental Queen of Beauty for Asia.
Joy Bacorma finished in the Top 8 and was deemed a runner-up at Miss Earth 2025 but earned even more fans for her social media presence and multiple calls for accountability.
Crowns and podiums
No doubt the most notable crowns by Filipinas this year were the back-to-back titles at Miss Grand International.
CJ Opiaza assumed the Miss Grand International 2024 title from India’s Rachel Gupta amid issues within the pageant, allowing CJ to crown her successor — Emma Mary Tiglao, also from the Philippines.
Another historic back-to-back was witnessed at Face of Beauty International when Nikkie Buenafe Cheveh succeeded fellow Filipina Jeanna Isabelle Bilasano as the Philippines joined Thailand and Myanmar in having two titles at the pageant.
Alexie Mae Brooks won Miss Eco International 2025, the Philippines’ third win at the decade-old pageant after Cynthia Magpatoc Thomalla in 2018 and Kathleen Joy Paton in 2022.
Dia Mate won Reina Hispanoamericana 2025, adding to the 2017 title won by Winwyn Marquez, while Krishan Pauline Alerre won Miss Aura International 2025 to add to Alexandra Faith Garcia’s 2021 win.
There were some close finishes like Chelsea Fernandez, Anita Rose Gomez, and Christine Eds Enero becoming the first runners-up at Miss Cosmo, Miss Asia Pacific International, and Miss Tourism International, respectively.
Other podium finishes were claimed by Tarah Valencia (Miss Supranational 2025, third runner-up) and Xena Ramos (Miss Global 2025, fourth runner-up).
Some Filipinas just missed out on the final round like Annabelle McDonnell and Cyrille Payumo finishing in this year’s Miss Globe and Miss Charm pageants in the Top 11 and Top 20, respectively. Meanwhile, Christina Labareño Vanhefflin is set to compete in Miss Intercontinental 2025 this coming January.
Anne Patricia Lorenzo finished in the Top 6 of Miss International Queen 2025, the world’s biggest beauty pageant for transgender women, while at Miss Trans Global 2025 the Philippines’ Pharcy Pugong was named Miss Trans Global Sapphire and Queen Sapphire.
Men’s pageants
Beauty pageants aren’t just for women; there are competitions for men as well to become figures of beauty and inspiration.
Kirk Bondad won Mister International 2025, just over a decade since Neil Perez won the Philippines’ first title at that pageant.
Marck Marasigan, meanwhile, won the smaller Mister Celebrity International 2025, the Philippines’ first win at the three-year-old competition.
Jordan San Juan was the third runner-up at Manhunt International 2025 while Kenneth Cabungcal was the fourth runner-up at Mister Supranational 2025.
In other smaller pageants, Kurt Mikhael Aguilar, Lance David Tepora, and Kenneth Rios Marcelino were all pipped to the titles of Mister Friendship International 2025, World Fitness Supermodel 2025, and Mister Cosmopolitan 2025..
Meanwhile Jake Batiancela, Michael Angelo Toledo, Matt Aldrick Gregorio and Argana Pedia Denver were all second runners-up at Mister Model International 2025, Man of the Year 2025, and Man Hot Star International 2025, and Mister Fitness Supermodel World 2025 respectively.
At Mister National Universe 2025, Ralph Jude Dinolan (representing Cebu Island) was the third runner-up and named Mister National Earth as the Philippines’ representative Marcus Parcon finished in the Top 10.
Miguel Mitra Germina finished in the Top 7 of Mr. Gay World 2025 while Oliver Eugen Kretz finished in the Top 10 of Man of the World 2025.
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