November 21, 2025 | 8:51am
MANILA, Philippines — After the preliminary competitions from National Costume, Swimsuit, to Evening Gown, here are the delegates who stood out from this year’s crop of 120 aspirants.
We also kept in mind how they fared in the closed-door interview.
They could announce a Top 30, or, if they want something historic, they could announce a higher number to lessen the number of “casualties.” For now, we will play the role of a pundit.
And our votes, in random order, go to:
Philippines
Ahtisa Manalo’s flawless performance from national costume, swimsuit, and evening gown is hard to miss. Proof of that is her sudden appearance in most hotpick lists. Her approach could be likened to the hare in Aesop’s fable: Slow but sure!
Latina
Yamilex Hernandez’s smooth and consistent take from the reality show unto the pre-pageant challenges has also captured the hearts of the pageant community.
Venezuela
Stephany Abasali’s highly-charged approach to this year’s competition drumbeats Venezuela’s yearning for the crown. Last won by Gabriela Isler in 2013 in Moscow, she is doing her damnedest to bring the honor back, which her country had it easy during Ozmel Sousa’s time.
India
Mantika Viswakarma is Ahtisa Manalo’s roommate in this pageant edition. The Indian delegate also wants to follow the footsteps of Sushmita Sen (1994), Lara Dutta (2000), and Haarnaz Sandhu (2021).
Cote d’Ivoire
Olivia Yance’s bid for her country’s first crown has not gone unnoticed by pageant fans. From her Miss World journey, she was given a free reign to pursue her dreams with the Miss Universe. In truth, former Miss World placers (and non-placers) did surprisingly well at Miss Universe.
Colombia
Vanessa Pulgarin simply smashed her swimsuit performance — from the Aquaverse fashion show to the prelims. Question is, will she also ace the other categories of the competition?
Belgium
Karen Jansen’s approach to the crown seems quiet, almost undiscernible. But a trained eye could easily spot her effortless gait and appeal. Her country has been sending top-notch delegates of late to all pageant platforms.
Puerto Rico
Zasheley Alicea’s bid for their sixth crown is more palpable now with her country as host for the 75th edition next year.
Palestine
As a former Water Queen from the Miss Earth pageant, Nadeen Ayoub’s bid for the Miss Universe crown for her country is truly inspiring. She is one of the few Middle Eastern woman who looks fab in a burkini!
Thailand
Praveenar Singh must be in a bind. After all the obstacles she had been through from all those times she competed to represent her country, will her chances be affected by the unfortunate incidents her national director has been embroiled in?
Paraguay
After 2021, this has been her country’s strong comeback. But will Yanina Gomez’s dalliance with a juror from the Beyond the Crown advocacy project steal the limelight from off her feet?
Guatemala
This year’s MUO chief executive officer is from her country. Will this bode for a rosy future for Raschel Alexandra Paz and her bid for the Miss Universe crown?
Malta
This is one of the rare times that her country is sending a truly competitive representative. Will Julie Ann Cluett make it to the final round?
Mexico
Fatima Bosch’s bid for the crown may have been tainted by unforeseen events at the start of the competition. Nevertheless, her drive and that of her supporters has remained strong.
Bangladesh
Tangia Methila’s campaign on the polls is no joking matter, especially when money is spent to buy and cast the votes. And since the MUO is a business, no businessman in his right mind would disregard such an investment coming from a country not known as rabid pollsters, until now!
Other strong performances come from Camille Thomas (Curacao), Ma. Gabriela Lacerda (Brazil), Nadia Mejia (Ecuador), Eve Gilles (France), Bereniece Dickenson (Turks & Caicos), and Ophely Mezino (Guadelope).
Catch the exciting 74th Miss Universe coronation night on the Kapamilya channel at 9 a.m. Manila time). You may also watch the final show online through the IWanTv and Playtime channels on Facebook and/or YouTube. Stay tuned!
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