The Miss Grand Philippines 2025 candidates lit up the stage during the preliminary competition and charity gala held on Sunday, August 17, at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila in Parañaque City.
LionhearTV was among the invited media, seated at a table hosted by BlueWater Day Spa, one of the pageant’s proud sponsors.
The evening’s highlight was the Creative Culture Costume segment, where all 29 delegates paraded in elaborate ensembles inspired by Filipino pop culture.
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The costumes celebrated national pride through homages to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, Filipino superheroes, traditional food, childhood games, and iconic characters from television and film.
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Some of the most recognizable looks included tributes to GMA Network’s ‘Sang’ge, as well as the 2009 iteration of ‘Darna’.
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The Top 6 finalists in the costume category were:
- Angelica Joy Flores (Pangasinan)
- Nikki Buenafe (Quezon City)
- Michelle Arceo (Taguig City)
- Anita Rose Gomez (Zambales)
- Emma Mary Tiglao (Pampanga)
- Alyssa Geronimo (Nueva Ecija)
The winner will be revealed during the pageant’s coronation night on August 24 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The preliminary night also saw the distribution of sponsor-backed special awards.
- Emma Mary Tiglao (Pampanga): Miss Mestiza, Miss Nutriexpert, Miss Regroe
- Margarette Britton (Bicolandia): Miss Hairflix
- Anita Rose Gomez (Zambales): Miss Megan Beauty
The delegates also competed in swimsuit and evening gown presentations, with the event doubling as a charity dinner. Proceeds will fund the organization’s advocacies, including tourism and peace initiatives, scholarships for underprivileged youth, and relief efforts for typhoon survivors.
The 29 hopefuls are vying to succeed CJ Opiaza of Zambales, who made history as the first-ever Filipina to win the Miss Grand International crown in 2024. Franchise holder Arnold Vegafria lauded Opiaza’s reign, saying she “put an end to the misunderstanding and unwanted hatred” between Miss Grand International president Nawat Itsaragrisil and the Filipino fandom.
With such a legacy to follow, the competition’s energy is reaching fever pitch ahead of the coronation night on August 24. (with reports from Cassiopeia Janelle Calamaya)
