The 69 official candidates representing various regions in the Philippines had the chance to showcase themselves as they competed for the prestigious crown during the two-day media event hosted by BingoPlus recently.

Hosted at Las Casas Acuzar in Quezon City, the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 candidates responded to questions from the press about their preparations, advocacies, and more.

To make the event enjoyable for the ladies, they were asked which celebrities they would like to meet.

Jeanne Nicole Perez Lipa (Miss Universe PH Ilocos Sur): ''I've always wanted to meet Rihanna because of how great she is, and ever since she dropped her 'Anti' album, I've been waiting for her to release another album."

Valerie Claire West (Miss Universe PH Ifugao): "As a musician, I've always dreamt of meeting John Mayer and telling him what a great artist he is."

Jazzle Taga Iba (Miss Universe PH Dipolog City): "For me, it's Pia Wurtzbach because I want to know the secret of being a beauty queen and a winner is."

Angeleyh Pasco (Miss Universe PH Davao): '" For me, I would choose Damien Chazelle. He is not very familiar with other people. He is the director of Lalaland, which is one of my favorite films, and he inspires me as a director because of his creativity. I would like to dig into his mind and learn from him."

Chella Farconer (Miss Universe PH Cebu Province): ''I've watched a lot of Netflix during the pandemic. I was like up until 7 a.m. by let me just say that I would love to meet Ian Somerhalder from Vampire Diaries he is amazing and If ever I would to him in person, I'd kiss him."

Gabriella Carbalo (Miss Universe PH Cebu City): ''I know everyone here has seen 'Wicked.' I want to meet Ariana Grande because I look up to her. Since she was a kid she dreamed of playing either Elphaba or Glinda, and she really got it, so every time I watch videos of her singing, even all the phases of her career, you could see that she manifested it and never let go of that dream. I look up to people who never gave up on something."

Jezreal De Ocampo (Miss Universe PH Cavite): '' It would be Anne Curtis. You know she is a powerful woman, and I think she can do anything. She's also a philanthropist, and I believe that I can learn a lot from her.

Bianca Ysabella Ylanan (Miss Universe PH Quirino): ''Not a celebrity but a fellow beauty queen, Dia Mate who recently won the Reina Hispanoamericana crown and I want to meet her mainly because being in this journey is tough and her being one of my inspirations is what keeps me going."

Ahtisa Manalo (Miss Universe PH Quezon Province): ''I would like to meet Jameela Jamil because she's an activist, and she is someone who is very outspoken and I think that I kinda need that skill being able to say what's on my mind and what I feel. I hope to meet her one day."

Millien Joy Cabigas (Miss Universe PH Siargao): "I really look up to Catriona Gray, because she is the epitome of beauty, grace, and brains."

BingoPlus has been a key sponsor of the MUPH organization for the past two years. Last year, the brand supported Chelsea Manalo on her journey from the national to the global stage. Nevertheless, BingoPlus remained at the forefront of supporting the dream-making pageantry.

The ladies also demonstrated sisterhood and what female empowerment looks like. Emphasizing that although they are competing with each other, they value the bond they have created. In this manner, the queens are engaged in healthy competition, aiming for one goal: the crown.

Supporting the Miss Universe PH 2025, the candidates were also asked what makes them #SobrangFilipina as part of BingoPlus official hashtags. 

Sasha Lacuna (Miss Universe PH Tarlac): ''I guess one thing that really represents a Filipina for me is the cuisine. Personally, my favorite dish is sinigang because it has all the nutrients that keeps us energized throughout this journey that's why I believe that Filipino cuisine makes us sobrang Filipina."

Yllana Marie Aduana (Miss Universe PH Siniloan, Laguna): "I think what makes us 'Sobrang Filipina' is because we are the representation of women who are really committed, passionate, and purposeful."

Chelsea Fernandez (Miss Universe PH Sultan Kudarat): "I would say, we are not afraid of embracing changes and I could also say that Filipinas are like butterflies that even though we fly so low, we can still soar forward."

Angela Cabel (Miss Universe PH Tacloban): "I believe what makes us 'Sobrang Filipina' is having the capability of balancing responsibilities. I'm a mother and a teacher, and now a beauty queen. I can balance these responsibilities."

Ma. Katrina Llegado (Miss Universe PH Taguig): "Filipinas are powerful representations across the universe, we have business women here, we have women in science, and we have people in the entertainment industry. It just shows the power of women that anything is possible, anything that we dreamed of with the power of hard work is very achievable."

Danelle Ann Catalan (Miss Universe PH Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur): "What makes us 'Sobrang Filipina' is the bravery. Because when you get to see a Filipina they always stand out, they are never afraid of taking and facing the challenge, and through that bravery, we are also able to showcase our beauty, talent, and the rich qualities of a Filipina."

The MUPH 2025 grand coronation will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 2, where one winner will be crowned to represent the Philippines on the global stage in Thailand on Nov. 21.