21 hours ago
8
CEBU CITY — Cebuana medical doctor Gabriella Mai Carballo was crowned Miss Eco International Philippines 2026 in the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
CEBUANA BEAUTY Cebu City's Gabriella Mai Carballo struts during the evening gown competition of the Miss Universe Philippine 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 2, 2025, finishing Top 6 and clinching the Miss Eco Philippines 2026 title. MUPH FACEBOOK PAGE
The 26-year-old stunner displayed her intelligence, poise, grace and powerful responses in a remarkable performance that catapulted her to Top 6 in the annual pageant.
She now takes the responsibility of continuing the country's strong legacy in the international pageant, following Ilongga beauty Alexie Brooks' triumph in 2025, while earning a crack at back-to-back title of the Miss Eco International 2026 edition.
Carballo was at her best during the question-and-answer portion where she wowed the crowd with a straightforward and clear answer on a question about leadership.
"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 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 we have to live on this earth if we're not impacting people positively, and so I hope all of us can move forward, save people next to us and move to a better place in our society because as Filipinos... we can place love above all."
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
But the day definitely belonged to Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon province who clinched the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 title behind a momentous showing in the finals.
Her inspiring response during the question-and-answer round, where she dedicated her win to her late grandmother, helped solidify her place at the top.
Chelsea Fernandez of Sultan Kudarat claimed the Miss Cosmo Philippines title, while Katrina Llegado of Taguig was crowned Miss Supranational Philippines.
Winwyn Marquez of Muntinlupa and Yllana Aduana of Siniloan, Laguna, were named first and second runners-up, respectively.
