MANILA: After a dramatic start to the Miss Universe 2025 pageant, the coronation show tied the ends together for Thailand and Mexico with the latter’s delegate Fatima Bosch emerging as the winner of the most coveted crown.
At the end of the coronation ceremonies held at the Impact Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Bosch bested 119 beauty queens, including the Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo.
Bosch, in a resplendent red cheongsam-looking gown with cape, received her crown from Victoria Kjær Theilvig, last year’s winner. She is the fourth Miss Universe winner from Mexico.
Andrea Meza, the country’s third titleholder, was a member of the selection committee. Miss Universe Organization Pres. Raul Rocha, who owns half of the organization, is from Mexico.
Settling for the first runner-up spot was Thai beauty queen Praveenar Singh, while Stephany Abasali of Venezuela was proclaimed second runner-up. Manalo and Cote d’Ivoire’s Olivia Yace respectively emerged as the third and fourth runners up.
Manalo is a seasoned pageant contestant who counts 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray as her Binibining Pilipinas batch mate. She competed at the 2018 Miss International pageant and finished second overall.
The coronation of the new queen marked the conclusion of a drama-filled edition of the international competition in Thailand, with tension between the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and the Thai organizing team headed by Nawat Itsaragrisil overtaking the festivities.
Just days before the final competition, two selection committee members stepped away from jury duty. Omar Harfouch cited what he deemed were irregularities, while Claude Makelele cited “unforeseen personal reasons.”
Earlier this month, Bosch and a group of other delegates walked out on Nawat after a heated argument between the two on just the third day of the ladies in Bangkok. The incident attracted international media attention and praised her for standing her ground.
This is Thailand’s fourth time hosting the Miss Universe pageant. Next year, the competition will be held in Puerto Rico, which has hosted the international event in 1971, 2001, and 2002. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
