In one of the most intense moments of the pageant on December 20, 2025, Chelsea Fernandez from the Philippines and Yolina Lindquist from the USA anxiously stood side by side, waiting for the final announcement during the Miss Cosmo coronation night at Creative Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Chelsea Fernandez secured the title of first runner-up after an intense final debate with Lindquist, who was crowned the winner.
Fernandez dazzled the audience with her performance in the swimsuit competition, consistently showcasing her skills and elegance, much like her strong preliminary performance.
She also exuded grace and poise on stage, earning the Best in Evening Gown award.
Additionally, the Filipina beauty queen was honored with the People’s Choice award and Parade of Beauty award.
During the question-and-answer portion, Fernandez addressed the stereotype that women cannot be leaders, firmly stating that they are capable of excelling in any field.
"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 said.
"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," she stressed.
In the final debate with Lindquist, Fernandez introduced her "Paradise of the Mangroves" project, a plan aimed at addressing natural disasters and boosting the local economy by protecting the environment.
“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,” she pointed out.
“And [with] this action plan, 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,” she continued.
“With this, I believe that the economic growth will definitely go up to 20 to 30 percent 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.”
Miss Cosmo marks Fernandez's second international pageant. In 2022, she competed in Miss Globe, where she placed in the Top 15.
