Flonique Guimary

Yllana Marie Aduana on not joining MUPH 2026: 'I realized that my heart wanted to pursue other big and substantial things'

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Miss Universe Philippines 2025 2nd Runner up Yllana Marie Aduana has officially announced that she will not be joining this year’s Miss Universe Philippines competition.</p><div> </div><p>On her social media pages, the Laguna-born beauty queen shared that the decision did not come easy, admitting she had spent months reflecting and praying about whether to compete again.</p><div> </div><p>“The past few days, I have been seeing so many of you curious whether I am going to join again in this year’s edition of @themissuniverseph or not. And honestly, for the past few months, I have also been thinking the same thing and praying really hard to God that He guides me in the process,” Yllana wrote.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUzpr8JgT2w/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A8855732.600000024%2C%22ls%22%3A108879.10000002384%2C%22le%22%3A108886%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1734" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>Reflecting on her four-year journey in pageantry, she emphasized that she has always given her all whenever she chooses to compete.</p><div> </div><p>“Throughout my 4 years in pageantry, I never stepped into any game half-hearted. It was always a firm decision and mindset of ’I want it so I’ll do it’ then give it my all and nothing less,” she added.</p><div> </div><p>This year, however, Yllana said her heart is leading her elsewhere: “I realized that my heart wanted to pursue other big and substantial things, but this time, outside of pageantry. Don’t get me wrong, my pageant girly self craves being on the stage and performing again in front of so many people, but hey I guess, the heart wants what it wants.”</p><div> </div><p>Yllana went on: “I appreciate you all, very dearly. But okay, this year will also be a very big one for me and I am really excited to make it just as impactful as I do all things that make my heart genuinely happy and that will expand my career too! I hope you guys still support me regardless! 🧡”</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DU5cpknE2lE/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A8855741.800000012%2C%22ls%22%3A108879.10000002384%2C%22le%22%3A108886%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1320" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>She also extended her support to this year’s delegates, saying: “Can I just say that I am very excited to cheer on the delegates of MUPH this year and may the best Queen win! 👑 I’ll see U soon! 🧡 With soooo much love, Yllana.”</p><div> </div><p>Prior to her announcement, Yllana was rumored to join the Miss Universe competition this year. Despite that, fans still shared messages of support for the beauty queen, with many saying they are willing to wait for her possible return to the pageant stage.</p><div> </div><p>“Maghihintay kami ate 😭🥰 your earthlings are always here waiting for you our Ardent queen 👑❤️,” a fan commented.</p><div> </div><p>“I&#x27;ve been waiting for your return to support you from the beginning. I hope you come back soon and I can see you on the Miss Universe stage. My support from Mexico. 🇲🇽💘🇵🇭,” another one said.</p><div> </div><p>Yllana represented Siniloan, Laguna in Miss Universe Philippines 2025, where she finished as second runner-up. During the final question-and-answer portion, she was asked what significant project she would prioritize if she were elected governor or mayor of her locality.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUMtYBwgV_R/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A8855749.5%2C%22ls%22%3A108879.10000002384%2C%22le%22%3A108886%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1284" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>She answered: &quot;I&#x27;ve always known myself to be a committed advocate of education, and I would definitely promote education empowerment across all genders and our municipality because we all understand that education is the key to open multiple doors of opportunities - the power that no one can ever take away from us and the solution to feel more empowered and transformed.&quot;</p><div> </div><p>That year, Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2025 and later placed third runner-up at Miss Universe.</p><div> </div><p>Miss Universe Philippines has already unveiled more than 50 candidates who will vie to become Ahtisa’s successor during The Reveal event. The organization also introduced a new competition format, allowing fans to vote during the preliminary swimsuit and evening gown rounds, which could help propel candidates into the semifinals and the closed-door interview segment.</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2026/2/17/miss-universe-philippines-unveils-2026-candidates-introduces-new-format-0119" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Miss Universe Philippines unveils 2026 candidates, introduces new format</strong></a><strong></strong><br/></div><div> </div><p>Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night is scheduled for May 2026.</p>

<p><b>Miss Universe Philippines 2025 2nd Runner-Up pens message for fans and supporters as she skips this year’s Miss Universe Philippines competition.</b></p>

Miss Universe Philippines 2025 2nd Runner-Up pens message for fans and supporters as she skips this year’s Miss Universe Philippines competition.