Pageant fans were intrigued after the Instagram account of the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization reportedly unfollowed the official Miss Universe (MU) account.
Fans, including pageant coach Kervin Lao, noticed that the MUPH Instagram account, @themissuniverseph, was no longer following the Miss Universe account, @missuniverse.
A post on the Facebook group “Bekis of Pageantry 2.0” on Sunday, November 25, commented, “FRIENDSHIP OVER?”
The post included a screengrab of the MUPH account’s Instagram Following list, which did not include Miss Universe.
The development was also noticed by a user on X (formerly Twitter), who shared the observation on Sunday.
Good morning. Mabuhay!
Miss Universe Philippines has unfollowed Miss Universe on Instagram. 😲💅 #MissUniversePhilippines2025 #MissUniverse2025 pic.twitter.com/EMy9nBFzPK— Yashael 👑❣️📸 (@Dainsleif_10) November 24, 2025
“Miss Universe PH unfollows Miss Universe IG page? What is the meaning of this?” pageant content and content creator Kervin wrote on Instagram.
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The move drew support from some pageant fans, who suggested that the Philippines should refrain from sending a representative to the pageant amid the controversies surrounding its 74th edition.
“‘Wag na mag-send ng PH Queen while na kay Raul ang MU [Miss Universe],” an online user said, referring to Miss Universe Organization (MUO) president Raul Rocha Cantu.
As of Monday, November 24, pageant fans reported that the MUPH Instagram account had resumed following the Miss Universe account.
“And just like that… follow na ulit si MUPH sa Miss Universe. Pak! Next picture, please…. (kanina kasi iba. Baka napindot lang haha),” Kervin said in another post.
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Another Facebook user questioned whether the MUPH account had ever been following the Miss Universe account in the first place.
“Naka-follow po MUPH sa official page ng MU FB and IG, if check niyo IG page ng MU, naka follow din sila sa MUPH,” a different user answered on Sunday.
The buzz comes amid controversy surrounding the Miss Universe Organization after Mexico’s Fatima Bosch Fernandez won the 74th edition.
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Allegations of rigging were raised by Omar Harfouch, a French-Lebanese composer, who claimed that Fatima’s victory had been planned due to her family’s alleged business connections to Raul Rocha.
French footballer Claude Makélélé also announced his withdrawal from the selection committee in a brief Instagram post, citing unforeseen circumstances.
Raul responded that no judge had resigned during the Miss Universe 2025 finals, adding that they will “take legal action” regarding the allegations.
The Mexican businessman, however, did not elaborate on the circumstances leading to their departure from the pageant out of “respect” for them.
Meanwhile, Philippine representative Ahtisa Manalo finished as third runner-up in the pageant. She also received the Best in National Costume award and placed third in the Beyond the Crown advocacy project competition.
— with reports from Philstar.com/Kathleen Llemit
