Miss Universe Archives

Ahtisa Manalo clinches Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown

Third time's the charm for this beauty from Quezon, as she finally bags the most prestigious local beauty pageant title during her third attempt. In a crowded field composed of pageant veterans and newbies, Ahtisa held her own from start to finish. As soon as she bounced back after falling…

Will Chelsea Manalo be the country’s fifth Miss Universe?

As the first black Filipino-American to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe, this lass from Bulacan is shattering stereotypes and breaking the mold in a beauty pageant-crazy country. Once again, the entire nation watches with bated breath as all eyes are on her as she competes for the crown in…

R’Bonney Gabriel: Queen’s gambit

For this Texas-born Filipino-American and Miss Universe 2022, the Philippines satisfies her search for something meaningful. By ALEX Y. VERGARA After winning Miss Universe in early 2023and passing on the crown even before the year was over, what’s next for Filipino-American R’Bonney Gabriel? For sure, the prospects are bright for…

Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey: Queen of the Multiverse

BY ALEX Y. VERGARA Her reign may long be over, but the country’s third Miss Universe keeps on surprising her fans and compatriots, and even sometimes herself. Her career as a global influencer and celebrity endorser has taken several twists and turns, including her decision to take a stab at…

Michelle Marquez Dee wins Miss Universe Philippines 2023

Michelle, the daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, will compete at Miss Universe later this year in El Salvador. Another early favorite, Bohol’s Pauline Amelincks, failed for the third time to win the crown. There was no Steve Harvey moment last night, but the nearly four-hour show had a…

Miss Universe is “a beautiful journey that helps push us forward”

Sleep-deprived after a long-haul flight to Manila, Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel looked as vibrant as ever as she faced Filipino fans Wednesday evening at Okada Manila’s grand ballroom during the Miss Universe Philippines gala night. By Alex Y. Vergara “I’m so excited to be in the Philippines,” said R’Bonney…

Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel: “The Filipino blood” is strong!

Immediately after cinching the the Miss Universe 2022 crown, Filipino-American beauty queen R’Bonney Gabriel thanked her fans from both sides of the globe. By Jose Paolo dela Cruz and Iko Gabay “Mabuhay Philippines, Mabuhay Filipino fans,” newly crowned Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel said during her first post-pageant press conference.…

Half-Filipino, half-American from Texas is new Miss Universe

R’Bonney Gabriel, a fashion designer and the daughter of a Filipino-American father and an American mother, won over 83 other women from all over the universe. Luck, however, eluded the Philippines’ Celeste Cortesi, whose failure to make it to the finals marked the end of the country’s 12-year placement streak…

Celeste Cortesi’s secret weapon: “Know thyself!”

How many times have certain people told you or made you feel “no, you can’t” or “no, you can’t do it” because you’re not good enough? Too many to mention? Well, cheer up! Celeste knows where you’re coming from because she’s been there before. That's why her authenticity and “transformational”…

Bea Luigi Gomez bows out to India’s Harnaaz Sandhu in Miss Universe

With her recent Top 5 finish, the country, thanks to Bea, continues to hold on to its record 12-year placement streak in Miss Universe, which started with Venus Raj in 2010. By Alex Y. Vergara Philippine bet Beatrice Luigi Gomez’s Miss Universe journey in Eilat, Israel may have ended with…