Chelsea Fernandez marks emotional Miss Cosmo 2025 ‘monthsary’

January 23 ------ A month since she was proclaimed as the lone runner-up of the 2025 Miss Cosmo pageant in Vietnam in December, Filipino queen Chelsea Fernandez waxed emotional and looked back on her journey.

Saying “it all began with a butterfly,” the national pageant veteran said she was confronted by the thought of staging a comeback in February last year. Her best friend advised her to seek a sign, a butterfly. “Just minutes later. I glanced to my right and saw a painting of a blue butterfly. In that moment, I knew. Joining the competition turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made,” Fernandez posted on social media.

Fernandez accepted the invitation to represent her birth province of Sultan Kudarat in the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, where she emerged as one of the six finalists. Ahtisa Manalo took home the crown. She received the Miss Philippines-Cosmo title at the end of the competition, which paved the way for her participation in her second international competition. She had earlier competed at the Miss Globe pageant in 2022, where she entered the semifinals.

Fernandez acknowledged the challenges that her pageant comeback entailed and went on to express her gratitude to everyone who joined her in her journey, including her family, the provincial government, and its officials. She also thanked her Miss Universe Philippines Local Director, Datu Yahiya Sinenggayan, pageant manager Mhark Kenjie dela Cruz, and other members of her core team. “We made it,” Fernandez said.

The beauty queen also expressed her gratitude to the battalion of photographers, videographers, stylists, designers, makeup artists, and hairstylists who worked their magic on her in every public appearance she made during the national and international competitions. “Nothing would have been possible without all of you. The energy, spirit, and cheers you gave me kept me going until the very end,” Fernandez said, as she continued to thank all of her fans and supporters she endearingly called her “CHELdren.” Also in her gratitude list are Empire Philippines and Miss Universe Philippines executives Jonas Gaffud, Voltaire Tayag, Paolo Arevalo, Borg Roxas, and Arnold Mercado, and the rest of the organization.

Fernandez also recognized the contribution of all of her mentors, including those who took her in when she was starting her national pageant journey years ago. “Thank you for always having my back and pushing me to be better. You played a huge role in this success,” she said of Miguel West, Marigona Dragusha, Georgette Garrido, Anton Gonzales, Jess Soriano, Rodgil Flores, and Carlo Yanesa.

Fernandez also thanked the “entire Miss Cosmo organization,” including winner Yolina Lindquist and her pageant “bestie” Mooham Chotnapa Kaewjarun from Thailand. “There are so many incredible things still to come this year, but thank you for the love, support, and belief,” she said. “This is only the beginning of a truly beautiful and meaningful reign. From the bottom of my heart, I hope you continue to stand with us, believe in us, and walk beside us as we move forward together on this cosmic journey,” Fernandez continued.

Source: inquirer.net