CEBU, Philippines — Gabriella Mai Carballo’s previous pageants – Miss Mandaue and Miss Cebu – do not have swimsuit categories, so she was especially nervous about parading in one in front of a sizeable audience for the first time.
She thus sighed in relief when she was declared Best in Swimsuit Runway at the Miss Universe Philippines Cebu 2025 Preliminary and Sponsors Gala Night, Thursday, at Radisson Blu Cebu.
“Winning Best in Swimsuit means a lot to me because my very first pageant did not have a swimsuit, my last one did not have one,” Carballo told The FREEMAN. “So it’s honestly an adjustment for me to walk in a swimsuit in front of a lot of people. I’m quite shy and reserved so I really worked hard to make the walk as best as I could possibly make it.”
As the search for the next Miss Universe Philippines Cebu intensifies, three candidates have shown themselves as frontrunners to succeed Kris Tiffany Janson as Cebu’s representative at Miss Universe Philippines 2025: Carballo of Cebu City-North, Chella Grace Falconer of Naga City, and Jamie Javier of Lapu-Lapu City.
Javier stood was selected Best in Fun Wear with her striking red fire-rose dress designed by John Seville. Carballo secured first runner-up with a white corset dress by Alyana Basubas, while Falconer placed second runner-up with her terno-inspired white dress by Christnamae Ramas.
The Best Fun Wear Designer award went to Maria Glen Diamante for her yellow flower-feathered dress worn by Tabuelan’s Shindell Atibula.
Atibula and Falconer were also named first and second runner-up, respectively, in the Best in Swimsuit Runway category.
The frontrunners also garnered several corporate awards: Javier was named Miss Conzace and Miss Celebrity Optical, Carballo earned the title Most Confident by Dr. Wong’s Soap, and Falconer was recognized as Miss Mestiza.
In the formal wear segment, Carballo donned a captivating green gown by Philip Tampus, Falconer dazzled in a blue jeweled dress by Crisna Mae Ramac, while Javier impressed with her minimalist nude dress adorned with oversized pink bows.
Other candidates showcased a variety of creations by Cebuano designers, including Lemuel Rosos, Dioning Laping, Bong-Bong Flores, Shine Bathan, Kenneth Malayka Yamas, Glenn Noval, Alexander Youseff, Rey Congson, and others.
The winner of the formal wear competition will be revealed during the finals night on December 18 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, which will be hosted by Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Rabiya Mateo. (CEB U NEWS)