USA's Yolina Lindquist is new Miss Cosmo 2025, PH's Chelsea Fernandez is first runner-up
Yolina Lindquist of the United States is Miss Cosmo 2025, with Chelsea Fernandez from the Philippines coming in as first runner-up.
Lindquist bested 70 other aspirants during the coronation night held on Dec. 20 at the Creative Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She's succeeding Miss Cosmo 2024 winner Ketut Permata Juliastrid of Indonesia.
Completing the top five are Gabriela Borges from Brazil, Myint Myat Moe from Myanmar, and Italy Mora from Panama.
During the question and answer portion, Fernandez was asked what mindset she would change about women that still limits progress today.
"It would be [that] women are not leaders. That is not true. We women, we have that innate value of leadership. However, sometimes we are not given opportunities and spaces and chances," she answered.
She continued, "And as Miss Cosmo, who ignites change, I would like to empower every woman to immerse yourselves in activities that could enrich your skills and in order for us to move forward. Because we women can stand on our own, and women could also have it all."
During her final head-to-head with Lindquist, Fernandez had the opportunity to talk about her advocacy to plant mangrove trees in order to address extreme flooding.
"The Philippines is home to more than 7,000 beautiful islands. However, with that beauty comes an ugly truth: we faced extreme flooding, harsh calamities, and natural disasters. That is why my advocacy, Paradise of the Mangroves Reforestation Project, aims to address both natural problems and economic problems," she explained.
"We are planning to plant 5,000 propagules in one hectare, and that would be set in the Municipality of Lebak, Province of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. And I believe in my project, and with this, I believe that the economic growth will definitely go up to 20% to 30% in just one year. And I hope you continue to support me in this mission because I believe the little seeds that we plant today will grow into a forest of change tomorrow," she added.
For her part, Lindquist said that her community service initiative is "Courage over Cancer," where her goal is to "raise awareness, raise funds, reach survivors, and reach families struggling with this treacherous disease."
"After witnessing my own family members, my aunt this past May, undergoing a double mastectomy two days after my graduation, I knew it was time for a change. The families, the people going through this disease need support, they need love," she said.
"This past year, I raised over $20,000 (P1 million) for the Huntsman Cancer Research Foundation, and I was internationally recognized as a top eight sweetheart fundraiser globally. I believe a leader leads with heart, compassion, empathy, and that is exactly what I'm doing, leading by example," she continued.
Apart from the first runner-up title, Fernandez also bagged the Best in Evening Gown and People's Choice award during the finals.
The beauty queen previously raised the Philippine flag at the Miss Globe 2022 pageant held in Albania. She also placed as a runner-up in Miss Philippines Earth 2019 as Miss Philippines Water.