Newly-proclaimed Universal Woman Philippines 2025 Jasmine Omay. Image: Armin P. Adina/INQUIRER.net
In a surprising turn of events, Sophia Bianca Santos will no longer represent the Philippines in the 2025 Universal Woman pageant, and that she has been replaced by Jasmine Omay, her fellow Miss World Philippines “princess.”
Omay was officially crowned as Universal Woman Philippines 2025 in a program held at the Theater of Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City on Tuesday afternoon, March 25.
ALV Pageant Circle released a statement on social media in the morning, saying that Santos “will not be able to compete in the upcoming Universal Woman 2025 pageant due to the age eligibility requirement.”
The 21-year-old Kapampangan lass earned the Universal Woman Philippines crown when she competed in the 2024 Miss Grand Philippines pageant. The Universal Woman competition accepts participants between the ages of 25 and 45.
Santos and Omay both competed in the 2024 Miss World Philippines pageant held earlier than Miss Grand Philippines. Both national contests are organized by ALV Pageant Circle.
Omay was proclaimed as First Princess, while Santos was declared as Second Princess. Krishnah Gravidez received the Miss World Philippines title, while four other finalists were bestowed their respective national titles.
ALV Pageant Circle Head Arnold Vegafria announced during the event that Santos will instead be sent to the Miss Elite pageant in Egypt in September. Filipino queen Juvyel Anne Saluta won the contest last year.
As the new Universal Woman Philippines, Omay now carries the task of posting a second straight victory in the relatively new international pageant.
Maria Gigante, a finalist in the 2022 Miss World Philippines pageant, became the country’s first entry to the Universal Woman contest last year, and took home the crown.
Omay, a 25-year-old events host and pilot from Tarlac, is a veteran of pageants, having participated in several local, corporate, and national competitions.
She will fly to Jaipur, India, in the last week of May for the 2025 Universal Woman pageant that will conclude on June 9.