Miss Universe Philippines crowned its newest Queen last Friday, and, notably, the question-and-answer portion– reserved for those in the finale– followed a timely theme given the proximity of the coronation night to the 2025 Midterm Elections. 

The Top 6 candidates each had to answer an election and/or leadership-related question. Here’s how the top contenders fared during the hotly anticipated event, from Chelsea Fernandez’ (Sultan Kudarat) call for youth participation in the polls, to Ahtisa Manalo’s (Quezon Province) title-clinching comeback about never giving up.
 

Sultan Kudarat - Chelsea Fernandez 
Q: The national elections are in a week’s time. Our national hero Jose Rizal wrote that the youth is the hope of the motherland. How can our young people play an important role in the elections?
A: In our generation, the youth has a strong personality. They have the power to choose and vote for the right leaders. That's why tonight I would like to encourage our youth to be wise in selecting our leaders, because when we are wise about this we can reach the tip of the universe and the Philippines will definitely be progressive and productive as well.

Thank you and good evening Philippines.

Siniloan, Laguna - Yllana Marie Aduana
Q: If you were to be the governor or mayor of the local government you are representing now, what would be the single most significant project that you would wish to accomplish and why?
A: I have always known myself as a committed advocate of education. I would definitely promote education empowerment across all genders in our municipality, because we all understand that education is the key to open multiple doors of opportunities, the power that no one can ever take away from us,and the solution to feel more empowered and transformed.  

Muntinlupa - Winwyn Marquez
Q: On May 12 2025, our general elections will be held and we will be choosing our leaders. In your opinion, what is the most essential quality that we should look for in leaders and why?
A: We should look for someone who has integrity, someone who will put ppl’s welfare first before their own political wants and their own needs. We should have a leader that is not politics as usual, but someone who will put other people’s wants and needs (over their own).

Taguig - Katrina Llegado
Q: Women in Ph politics are still a minority, and here in Miss U Ph we talk about women empowerment. How will you help empower women and encourage them to participate in politics?
A: Women today deserve a seat at the table. This time, babae naman. We are at par with men. We are trailblazers, we are leaders, and I think women are a power– a force– in the universe. Thank you.

Cebu City - Gabriella Mai Carballo
Q: Just like our public officials, a beauty queen is a public figure whose life is under constant scrutiny. As a beauty queen, how do you maintain your authenticity amidst the expectations of the public? 
A: As I’ve gotten older, I've learned that the most important thing is the posture of your heart. You have to ask yourself, ‘am I putting out the best version of myself into the world, and is that something that is helping other people?’ 

I don’t think there is a reason that we have to live on this Earth if we are not impacting people positively, so I hope all of us can move forward, take people next to us, and move to a better place in our society because as Filipinos, we can place love above all.

Quezon Province - Ahtisa Manalo
Q: They say that a good leader leads by example, tell us about one event in your life when you led by example and the impact it made.
A: I fell a while ago on stage. And the thing with me is whenever I fall in life, I always make sure I come back stronger. Last year I was here on this stage and for the second time this year I am here putting everything on this stage to be Ms. Universe Philippines. (Because) this is my and my grandmother’s shared dream, and this is my ode to her.