By AFP
Dubai: From the glittering skyline of Dubai to the crown-studded stage of Miss Universe Philippines 2025, Rechel Hoco is proving that dreams don’t have a zip code.
The 23-year-old content creator and self-made social media star — with over 1.2 million TikTok followers and counting — will compete at the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 pageant by representing Oriental Mindoro, a province 140 kilometres southwest of Manila. At the time of writing this article, she was in the midst of preparing for the National Costume Show round in Philippines.
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And no, she didn’t get here through industry connections or pageant camps. If her posts on social media are anything go by, she proudly hustled her way from Overseas Filipino Worker’s life to online royalty, one reel at a time.
A former Miss Oriental Mindoro 2019, Rechel packed her bags in 2022 and moved to Dubai to support her family. By day, she worked as a travel sales agent. By night? She became a full-blown digital diva — vlogging, modeling, and serving looks that turned her into a household name among the Filipino diaspora.
“I wasn’t born into privilege. I built this,” she shared on social media, oozing the kind of confidence that pageant fans eat up.
Now, she’s returning to the spotlight — but on her terms. Representing her roots with grit and glamour, Rechel is ready to take on the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 stage on May 2. And trust us, she’s not just there to pose — she’s coming for that crown.
Thailand, you might want to take notes. The girl from Mindoro (via Dubai) is just getting started.
