Catwalk Philippines 2025: A Glamorous Revival in the Search for Supermodel Supremacy

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Lights, camera, catwalk—Catwalk Philippines roars back to life in 2025 with a vengeance, glamour, and grit like never before. Now on its fourth spectacular edition, the country’s premier modeling competition returns bigger, bolder, and more breathtaking, asserting its position as the breeding ground for the next generation of Filipino fashion royalty.

This year's edition is masterfully helmed by FirstSun Production, with Michaela as its major presenter, setting the stage for what promises to be the most iconic season yet. Backed by the prestigious Designers Circle Philippines (DCP), the competition returns with a revamped energy and vision that speaks of reinvention, excellence, and Filipino ingenuity.

A Legacy Reimagined: The Mission Behind the Movement

Founded by Designers Circle Philippines, Catwalk Philippines has always had one mission: to discover, mold, and launch the careers of world-class male and female supermodels. From its inception in 2018 to its most recent edition in 2022, it has served as a dynamic platform for fashion-forward talents aiming to break into the elite worlds of fashion, pageantry, and media.

“We want Catwalk Philippines to become the most credible and influential modeling competition,” said Johnny Abad, DCP Founding Chairman and Overall Chair. “The Designers Circle Philippines is committed to making it the most dynamic venue for Filipino fashion creativity and excellence.”

This year, a newly invigorated DCP administration, led by President Rafael Gonzalez, VP for Internal Affairs Edwin Uy, VP for External Affairs Laura Santos, and Creatives & Communications Head Alfonso Emmanuel, has partnered with FirstSun Production, bringing in powerhouse Artistic Director Rodel De Jesus Mercado to elevate the competition’s theatrical and visual storytelling.

A Vision in Vintage: "Redux - Vintage Reimagined"

The 2025 theme—“Redux: Vintage Reimagined”—is a fashion fantasy woven from the opulence of the 1920s Gatsby flappers, the bold geometry of the Art Deco movement, and the elegance of Old Hollywood's pin-up aesthetics. This nostalgic flair meets contemporary flair as candidates showcase exquisite creations across four main runway segments: Resort Wear, Streetwear, Luxe Wear, and Haute Couture.

A constellation of acclaimed designers will bring this theme to life, including Bepz Torres, Jasper Adorador, Darlene Acuna, Alistair Balane, Ganda Anore, Sony Boy Mindo, and many more, alongside emerging talents from the Fashion Institute of the Philippines – Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Glitz and Grit: The Candidates Ready to Rule

This year's runway will be set ablaze by 19 fierce female candidates and 15 charismatic male contenders, each armed with aspirations, elegance, and fierce determination. They are not just walking for a title—they are vying for the future.

Among the female front-runners are:

Trisha Mae Calabita, Shine Chavez, Francesca Zoey Francisco, Psalm Savannah Francisco, Kenlyn Geroy, and Daniella Moustafa—names soon to dominate the runways, magazine covers, and digital campaigns.

Representing the gentlemen are:

Samie Nathaniel Al-Ajarmeh, Niño Jay Brucal, Kirby Chen, Mohammad Rayhan Datu, Marcus Fernandez, and Jonard Zandro Salonga, whose commanding presence and diverse appeal redefine the modern Filipino model.

The Road to the Crown: June 14 Grand Finale at Intramuros Convention Center

The competition reaches its glittering climax on June 14, Saturday, at the newly inaugurated Intramuros Convention Center. From 34 dazzling hopefuls, only 7 male and 7 female finalists will emerge for the final runway showdown. Then, one male and one female will ultimately be crowned the next Catwalk Philippines Supermodels of 2025.

Each grand winner will receive a P50,000 cash prize and an exclusive modeling contract with both Designers Circle Philippines and Ignis Novus Artist Management—the talent arm of FirstSun Production.

A Nation Behind the Runway

Beyond the glitz lies a tapestry of support from the industry’s finest:

Coro Hotel (Venue Partner), MUD Studio (Makeup Partner), Just Nifty (Videographer), Neitiviti Studios (Livestream), Prima.One Modelo (Shoes), and Sony Boy Mindo Creation (Swimwear) among others.

The competition is also powered by Heseneya Aesthetic (Skincare), KFC, Ate Rica's Bacsilog, Founders Donut, and Mogu-Mogu (Food and Beverage Sponsors), with Prowess Supremacy Production Inc., Gold's Gym, Studio 56, and Landco Pacific serving as go-see venues.

WazzupPilipinas.com is a proud media partner.

A New Breed of Global Icons

Catwalk Philippines 2025 is not just a competition—it is a cultural movement. It’s where creativity meets courage, and where aspiring models are sculpted into global icons. It’s where the Philippines’ fashion heartbeat reverberates with pride, power, and passion.

With every stride on the runway, these young aspirants carry the dreams of a generation—and soon, the world will watch as they sashay, slay, and ultimately soar.

Silence Is Not Neutrality—It Is Surrender

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In this age of curated truths and manipulated narratives, I have come to embrace a conviction that may seem uncomfortable to many—but I wear it like armor:

“I’d rather be hated for exposing the truth than be loved for embracing the lie—because silence is not neutrality; it is surrender.”

This is not just a quote. It is a declaration of purpose. A personal manifesto.

We live in a time where silence is mistaken for diplomacy, and neutrality is paraded as wisdom. But let’s be honest—how many injustices have thrived because good people chose to look the other way? How many lies have flourished under the warm applause of willful ignorance?

As the founder of WazzupPilipinas.com, I’ve walked a path where truth-telling often felt like standing in the middle of a storm with nothing but your voice as your shield. It’s not always easy. Sometimes, it’s downright brutal. But I’ve learned that being true to the story—no matter how controversial, no matter how inconvenient—is far more important than being liked or followed.

There is no middle ground when the stakes are the soul of our society. You either speak up or stand down. And standing down is, in itself, a decision to let the lie win.

My advocacy isn’t just about news or content creation. It’s about principle. It’s about choosing courage over comfort, truth over popularity, and justice over convenience. Whether I’m challenging local irregularities, questioning national inconsistencies, or spotlighting untold stories, I’ve made peace with the reality that some people won’t like what I have to say.

But if we are to create a nation of thinkers—not blind followers—then we must first be brave enough to confront what others dare not name. We must call out hypocrisy, unmask corruption, and amplify the voices that have been silenced for too long.

Because in the end, I do not seek applause. I seek impact.

And if the cost of telling the truth is being misunderstood or even hated—then so be it. I would rather walk alone in truth than march in harmony with a lie.

The truth has no audience requirement. It only needs someone brave enough to speak it.

A Cinematic Journey Through the Heart of Castilla y León: Instituto Cervantes Unveils a Film Series of Tradition, Identity, and Revelation

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This May, Instituto Cervantes Manila transforms into a portal to Spain’s evocative Castilla y León region through a stirring film series that transcends language and culture. In collaboration with the Castilla y León Film Commission and the Embassy of Spain, this cinematic showcase invites Filipino audiences to witness the soul of a land where history, memory, and identity are woven into compelling stories by some of the region’s most visionary filmmakers.

A Tapestry of Stories from the Heart of Spain

Castilla y León, a region known for its sweeping plains, medieval towns, and ancient traditions, now comes alive not through travel brochures, but through the power of film. This month-long event is more than just a film screening—it is a cultural experience that brings together the old and the new, the mythical and the real, the historical and the deeply personal.

Every Thursday in May, Instituto Cervantes Manila will screen a carefully curated selection of four feature films and three short films that embody the cinematic spirit of the region. These films reflect the artistic drive of Castilian-Leonese directors who use local traditions, history, and pressing social realities as backdrops for their storytelling. Each screening will be followed by thoughtful panel discussions with the filmmakers and Kristine Guzmán, the head of the Castilla y León Film Commission—bridging continents and conversations.

Opening With Empathy and Resilience – May 8

The series opens on May 8 at 2:00 PM with Alegre y olé (2023), a moving 20-minute short film by Clara Santaolaya. Set in the intimate, emotionally charged world of a psychiatric center, the film explores the unexpected yet profound bond between Lena and Carmen—two women grappling with personal demons and generational divides. Their journey toward healing and human connection unfolds like a quiet symphony of empathy and hope.

Following this tender opening is Gallo Rojo (2024), a feature film by Enrique García-Vázquez. It tells the story of Ana, who returns to her rural roots to set up a cinema—only to confront old friendships, past dreams, and the complexities of life in the countryside. It’s a film that not only reflects on the challenge of returning home but also pays tribute to the transformative power of art in forgotten places.

Nature and Memory – May 15

On May 15, audiences are taken into the silent hills of León with Yo, mi, me, conmigo (2024), a short documentary by Alicia Van Assche. With breathtaking simplicity, it portrays Nemesio, a shepherd who lives like time has stood still—a man who has chosen simplicity over modernity, silence over noise, solitude over chaos. It is both a portrait of a man and a quiet protest against the rush of modern life.

The afternoon continues with Pastoris (2024), a dramatic thriller by Pablo Moreno. After being presumed dead in the war, Domingo returns home to find nothing as he left it. He sets off on a journey as a shepherd across the mystical terrain between Salamanca and Extremadura—a spiritual odyssey haunted by inner and outer dangers. Shot in Palra, a rare Leonese dialect, the film immerses viewers in the rich and fading tapestry of shepherd culture and folklore, making it a haunting tribute to forgotten worlds.

Women, Music, and Hidden Histories – May 22

The next screening on May 22 brings us Las calles de Granada (2023), a lyrical short by Isabel Medarde. Set in 1941 during a traditional village festival, the film veers unexpectedly when a rivalry between two girls erupts mid-dance, echoing the folk song playing in the background. This surreal, time-blurring drama fuses folklore, femininity, and the supernatural into one mesmerizing dance of fate.

It is followed by Secundarias (2023) by Arturo Dueñas, a stunning one-take film chronicling the chaos and camaraderie of a group of actresses preparing for a stage play about Emperor Charles V. As fiction collides with reality backstage, viewers are drawn into a layered narrative about the women who orbit power, often overlooked, yet essential to its story.

A Debate Echoing Through Centuries – May 29

The film series concludes on May 29 with La Controversia de Valladolid (2023), a historical drama by Juan Rodríguez-Briso. Revisiting the 16th-century philosophical duel between Bartolomé de las Casas and Ginés de Sepúlveda, the film dramatizes the first recorded human rights debate in world history. The relevance is painfully clear—nearly 500 years later, we still struggle with the same moral questions of justice, dignity, and humanity.

Free Admission to a World of Insight

All films will be screened in Spanish with English subtitles at the Instituto Cervantes Intramuros (855 Calle Real, San Luis Complex, Intramuros, Manila). Admission is free and open to all, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit www.manila.cervantes.es or follow Instituto Cervantes Manila on Facebook.

An Invitation to Discover, Reflect, and Connect

This film series is not just a showcase of cinematic talent—it is a call to understand a region rich in nuance and spirit. It is a reminder that great stories do not always come from the centers of power, but often from its peripheries—from sheep trails, village feasts, backstage dressing rooms, and ancient debates that still shape our present.

Through this journey across Castilla y León’s cinematic landscape, Instituto Cervantes Manila reaffirms the power of film as a universal language—one that can build bridges between cultures, across oceans, and through time. Will you join the conversation?