Miss Universe Philippines 2025 to crown Chelsea Manalo’s successor on May 2

Miss Universe Philippines 2025 delegates/ARMIN P. ADINA

More than a week before the country will open polling precincts for the mid-term elections this year, a winner will be elected among the bevy of beauties competing for the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown on May 2.

The national pageant organization made the announcement on social media on Thursday evening, March 13. “Save the date, PILIPINAS! The much awaited Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Coronation is happening this May 2, 2025 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena,” the post stated.

Reigning Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo will relinquish her national title to the new queen at the culmination of the ceremonies that will be held just 10 days before Filipinos will elect national and local officials. No further details, such as ticket sales and celebrity guests, were released as of the moment. But the national pageant organization said followers should stay tuned for updates in the same post.

Sixty-nine ladies are vying for the crown, that will take the winner to Thailand for the 74th Miss Universe pageant in November. The last time that the country won the title was also in “The Land of Smiles,” when Catriona Gray took home the crown in the competition held in 2018.

Miss Universe Philippines National Director Ariella Arida (left) and reigning Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo/ARMIN P. ADINA

The 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant is the sixth edition of the standalone national competition that chooses the country’s delegates to the international tilt every year. The first edition was held in 2020, the year the world ground to a halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic. National pageant rookie Rabiya Mateo won the title that year.

This will be the first edition with 2013 Miss Universe third runner-up Ariella Arida as national director for training and development. She succeeds Miss Universe Philippines Pres. Jonas Gaffud, who stays on as head of the national organization. Shamcey Supsup, still currently one of the directors, was national director from 2020 to 2023.

Manalo’s successor will try to post the Philippines’ fifth victory in the Miss Universe pageant. Aside from Gray, the other Filipino winners were Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).