Standing out among 10 candidates, the mental health advocate is a force to be reckoned with come the national pageant
The universe shone even brighter as the new Miss Universe Philippines – Quezon City (MUPH – QC) was officially crowned on February 2. Zoe Hinay Honeyman emerged victorious among 10 aspirants during the highly anticipated Coronation Night held at the SM Skydome, SM North EDSA, Quezon City.
At 23 years old, Zoe proudly becomes the first-ever representative of Barangay Tatalon, home to over 55,000 residents. Beyond this milestone, she also makes history as the first Filipina-Australian to hold the MUPH – QC title.
Born and raised in Australia, Zoe holds a double degree in Business Psychology and Human Resources. A relative newcomer to the pageant world, she first competed in Miss Philippines Australia 2024 before stepping onto the MUPH – QC stage. For Zoe, this victory is more than just a personal achievement—it’s a step closer to her dream of becoming Miss Universe Philippines and a tribute to her late grandfathers, who always hoped she would one day grace the Miss Universe stage.
In the weeks leading up to Coronation Night, Zoe openly championed her mental health advocacy, sharing how the “Stars Light The Universe” theme deeply resonated with her beliefs. As she eloquently stated,
“To be a light in the universe, you must acknowledge that there is, of course, darkness—recognize that it is there, but choose to shine through it.”
Beyond this, she also highlighted her passion for volunteerism, emphasizing how community service fuels her growth and strengthens her desire to be a bridge of connection for others.
Throughout the competition, Zoe proudly embraced her Filipino roots. During the Personality Question round, she boldly challenged the perception that Pinoys born abroad are any less Filipino. The moment became even more defining when she chose to answer in Filipino, despite being the least fluent among the candidates. With determination and grace, she powered through—leaving a lasting impression on both the judges and the audience.
Zoe revisited this topic during the first round of the formal Q&A, where she was posed a thought-provoking question by Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo—the first Filipina Black American queen. Chelsea asked what kind of beauty society should start to appreciate, a question that deeply resonated with Zoe, who has faced criticism for being “too white” to compete in local pageants.
With confidence and poise, Zoe responded:
“As a Filipina-Australian, I navigate two different beauty standards. But at the end of the day, beauty should be appreciated in all its forms because it is in the eye of the beholder. You will never be able to please everyone in the world, and that’s okay. What truly matters is embracing your own beauty and staying true to yourself.”
Zoe understands both the pressure and prestige that come with pageantry. During the second part of the Q&A, she was asked by Miss Universe Philippines Head of Women Empowerment and Advocacy, Lia Ramos, about the importance of beauty being seen by others. In her response, Zoe emphasized the value of inner beauty while expressing gratitude to her family, friends, and supporters.
“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to stand on this stage, in a competition like this, and be celebrated. But true beauty should be recognized because it comes from within. I am here today not just because of how I look, but because of the people who have supported me and the journey that has shaped me. What truly shines through is my heart, and I believe that is the most beautiful thing of all.”
Pasarela training, strict dieting, and Q&A coaching with the country’s premier pageant boot camp, Aces and Queens, proved invaluable as Zoe dominated the special awards segment. She swept six out of the eleven titles, earning the crowns for Miss Creamsilk, Miss Icon Clinic, Miss Jell Life, Miss iColor, Best in Evening Gown, and Best in Swimsuit.
With every title win, the crowd erupted in cheers, solidifying her status as the undeniable fan favorite of the night.
Completing the Miss Universe Philippines – Quezon City 2025 roster of finalists are:
- Carmel Aquino – 4th Runner-Up (MUPH – QC Light of Innovation)
- Jam Co – 3rd Runner-Up (MUPH – QC Light of Charity)
- Stella Zacarias – 2nd Runner-Up (MUPH – QC Light of Education)
- Hanna Amistad – 1st Runner-Up (MUPH – QC Tourism)
Zoe takes over the title from Miss Universe Philippines – Quezon City 2024, Cam Lagmay. Now crowned as MUPH – QC 2025, she sets her sights on the ultimate goal—competing for the prestigious Miss Universe Philippines crown alongside contenders from across the nation.
In just its second year, MUPH – QC continues to capture the hearts of pageant fans both live and online, drawing nearly 500,000 views on Facebook Live within 24 hours of the coronation night.
Miss Universe Philippines – Quezon City is mounted by full service marketing agency Brand Republic PH. Show Zoe Honeyman your support in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant by following her on Instagram: zoehinayhoneyman, and following MUPH – QC on Facebook: muphqc
