Miss Baguio finishes at Top 12 in Miss Universe PH 2025

Baguio City – Baguio City’s Gwendoline Soriano wrapped up her stint in the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines finishing at Top 12 on May 2, 2025.

Among the three proud Cordilleran candidates, Soriano emerged as the lone finalist to break into the coveted top 12, marking a significant moment of pride for the iBaguios and the Cordillera as a whole.

Other finalists include Miss Bohol Tyra Goldman, Miss Cebu City Gabriella Carballo, Miss Iligan City Juliana Fresado, Miss Laguna Eloisa Jauod, Miss Munitnlupa Teresita “Winwyn” Marquez, Miss Pasay Amanda Russo, Miss Quezon Province Ahtisa Manalo, Miss Quirino Bianca Ysabella Ylanan, Miss Siniloan, Laguna Yllana Aduana, Miss Sultan Kudarat Chelsea Fernandez, Miss Taguig Katrina Llegado.

Embodying her last name, it was Ahtisa Manalo who grabbed the much-earned crown in the Philippines.

Gwendoline’s significant achievements in MUPH

While she was not able to take home the crown this year, Soriano fought hard in the competition, earning a spot in the top 8 during the Aqua Boracay Swimsuit Show held on April 6, 2025 at Bulabog Beach.

The Baguio beauty queen did not just show beauty and poise, but also carried with her the pride of Cordillera, captivating both judges and audience in her journey to the title.

One Cordilleran touch she brought with her in the competition was the depiction of the mythical legend ‘Lampong’ during the national costume segment of the contest. Lampong is a forest guardian described to be a two-foot-tall dwarf that transforms into a one-eyed white deer to mislead hunters.

Said figure originated from the comic book Gayang: Igorot Myths and Legends written by Angelica Mae Olli, featuring old folks of the Cordilleras including Ifugao, Kalinga, Kankana-ey and the Gaddang people.

Talking to GURU Press Cordillera, Gerald Majic Asbucan, editor and contributor of the comic, recounted that the term ‘Lampong’ itself describes the character with a bushy hair, saying, “the fact he was defined by height and the literal ‘lampong’ hair also means he has a physical form. The story of Lampong is shared by the Kankana-eys of the North bordering the Ilocos region and the Ilokanos who live there.”

The outfit, meantime, was crafted by Jorick Limpag, a visionary designer renowned for his bold, innovative crafts that consistently redefined the national costume scene.

Against all odds, the whole Cordillera showed full support from the start to the end and took pride of Soriano. Her fans, meantime, also expressed dejection over her place but somehow took honor of witnessing her journey.

“To be honest, I wanted her to be in top 6.... her face, gown- just wow. We couldn’t see her answering final Q&A. Very unfortunate,” said one netizen who watched the Coronation Night.