Yllana Marie Aduana says Miss Universe Philippines 2025 journey was 'more than just about the crown"

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Yllana Marie Aduana reflected on her Miss Universe Philippines 2025 journey, sharing the lessons she learned and the personal growth she underwent during the national competition.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Yllana admitted that when she joined the beauty pageant, she thought she knew everything about herself and the industry.

“But ultimately, I was able to reconnect more with myself and understood myself even better. And I realized, you know, that I can actually be free-flowing. I can be more of a people person. I can enjoy the journey genuinely so much that I can glow and also make use of that glow to inspire other people around me in my community and, you know, my friends,” Yllana said.

For Yllana, the journey became more than just the title.

“I’ve always been really vocal in saying that this journey was more than just about the crown. When I started this one, it also took me a lot of courage to dream again and to dream bigger than my previous pageant. ‘Cause between my last pageant and now, there was little to not much gap,” she said.

Yllana also acknowledged the caliber of her fellow candidates.

“It took me a lot of courage and also the strength to really keep going ‘cause this competition was really tough and I was surrounded by so many empowered women from all across the Philippines and really, it was really challenging in all aspects,” she said.

Despite the challenges, she feels her journey was propelled by a powerful force.

“I got to where I am now because also of the love that I poured into the journey, the love that I give out there. And I'm really happy, really grateful to be here,” she said.

Yllana represented Siniloan, Laguna, and finished her journey as the 2nd runner-up.

In 2023, she represented the Philippines internationally at Miss Earth and was crowned Miss Earth Air.

Yllana Marie Aduana on Miss Universe Philippines journey: “I’ve always been really vocal in saying that this journey was more than just about the crown. When I started this one, it also took me a lot of courage to dream again.” pic.twitter.com/VG27Gv31vR

—CDC, GMA Integrated News