The race for the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 crown is heating up, and among the candidates making waves is Rechel Hoco, who proudly represents Oriental Mindoro. As the competition unveiled the official headshots of its 69 delegates, Rechel captivated fans with her effortless beauty and striking presence, standing out as a top contender in this year’s prestigious pageant.
The official portraits, released on February 21 via the pageant’s social media pages, showcased the candidates in a variety of looks—some opting for a fresh, no-makeup aesthetic while others highlighted their features with bold and dramatic touches.
Beyond Rechel, several other standout candidates have also been gaining traction. Among the big names in this year’s competition are Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province, Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez of Muntinlupa, Yllana Aduana of Siniloan, Laguna, Katrina Llegado of Taguig, Chelsea Fernandez of Sultan Kudarat, and Chanel Olive Thomas of Nueva Ecija. Each delegate brings her own strengths and unique appeal to the competition, making this year’s edition one of the most competitive yet.
The headshot reveal follows the national pageant’s grand press launch at the Makati Shangri-La, where all 69 candidates were officially introduced to the public. Since then, international pageant site Missosology has released its first round of early favorites, placing Bohol’s Tyra Goldman as the current frontrunner for the crown. Joining her in the predicted top spots are Katrina Llegado, Isabela’s Jarina Sandhu, Yllana Aduana, and Ahtisa Manalo. Also making it into the Top 10 picks are Benguet’s Maiko Ibarde, Chelsea Fernandez, Laguna’s Eloisa Jauod, Iligan City’s Juliana Fresado, and Winwyn Marquez.
Reigning titleholder Chelsea Manalo, who finished in the Top 30 of Miss Universe 2024, will soon pass on her crown, though details of the pageant’s coronation night have yet to be announced. Manalo’s reign saw her earn the National Costume Award and the title of Miss Universe Asia, proving that Filipina beauty and excellence continue to shine on the global stage.
