Veejay Floresca wins 'Project Runway' Season 21

Veejay Floresca wins 'Project Runway' Season 21

Melanie Uson
Philstar Life
26 September 2025

Filipino designer Veejay Floresca is the winner of this year's Project Runway!

Floresca showcased a collection of metallic and knits in the finale, featuring unconventional silhouettes, wool rib knit draped dress, and a dressed made of chainmail.

"My collection represents me as a designer because it is very innovative, it's modern. I think it's the right balance of concept and wearability," she said.

She also underscored that her goal as a trans woman was to "inspire my community that they can accomplish anything that they want."

“I’ve seen you, Heidi, since Season 1, I'm just a little gay boy in the Philippines watching the show, and I’ve always been wanting to do this,” Floresca said at the latter part of the episode. “Now this is my time, so thank you. Thank you for being part of my dream.”

She bested fellow returnees Caycee Black and Jesus Estrada.

Among the highlights of her stint is winning the unconventional materials challenge, where she showcased loud yet elegant dresses made of shuttlecocks from a school gym.

The panel was composed of ELLE editor Nina Garcia, celebrity stylist Law Roach, Christian Siriano, Michael Kors, and Heidi Klum, who also returned to the show as the host.

Floresca will enjoy six months of representation by Agentry PR, the mentorship with the CFDA, the spread in ELLE magazine, and a whopping $200,000 (P11.2 million) cash prize.

Floresca first competed in the Project Runway Philippines inaugural season in 2008, where she finished in third place.

She established herself in New York and centered her craft on sustainable practices, creating unique, eco-conscious garments as she believed that fashion "should be personal, inclusive, and kind to the planet."

Among her muses were beauty queens Katrina Dimaranan, Maureen Montagne, Rabiya Mateo, trans advocate and international model Geena Rocero, and American singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood.

She also joined the Miss Trans Star International 2022 and the Dress My Tour, a reality competition series where designers create outfits for musical artists in 2024.

PH wins Mister International 2025

Philippines’ Kirk Bondad wins Mister International 2025 title

Iza Iglesias
The Manila Times
26 September 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-German model Kirk Bondad was named Mister International 2025 on Thursday, besting over 40 other candidates during the finals held at MCC Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Bondad secured the crown after an impressive showing in the question-and-answer portion, where he was asked, "If you win Mister international and you are invited to speak at the United Nations, what one social or political issue would you choose to highlight and why?" 

To which Bondad answered, “Thank you for the question. If I would have the honor, I would cause the children to be protected. I would give them a chance, to provide them with more protection and cultivate education because today’s children will be tomorrow’s leaders. Ultimately, I believe that if we can collectively make the right decisions, even with small steps, we will create a big impact internationally.” 

Saadedine Hneineh of Lebanon finished as first runner-up, while Seung-ho Cho of South Korea placed second runner-up. 

Bondad’s victory was celebrated on the pageant’s official social media pages. 

“Congratulations to Kirk Bondad on making history and inspiring the world with confidence and pride,” Mister International said in an Instagram post. 

During the preliminaries, Bondad placed in the Top 3 of the People’s Choice contest and landed in the Top 5 of the National Costume competition, where he showcased “Perlas Celestia,” a look symbolizing the Philippines as the Pearl of the Orient Seas. 

This marks the Philippines’ second Mister International title after Neil Perez’s win in 2014. 

Before his latest win, Bondad represented the country at Mr. World 2024, where he placed in the Top 20. 

Fil-Am Jessica Sanchez wins ‘America’s Got Talent’

From semifinalist to champion: Fil-Am Jessica Sanchez wins ‘America’s Got Talent’

Patricia Dela Roca 
Philstar Global
25 September 2025

MANILA, Philippines — In a remarkable comeback that is 20 years in the making, Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez has come full circle on “America’s Got Talent,” emerging as its newest grand champion.

On Wednesday night (US time), Sanchez bested rapper Chris Turner, fellow singer Jourdan Blue, the Leo High School Choir, and dance group Light Wire after earning the highest number of public votes.

Jessica not only claimed the “America’s Got Talent 2025” title but also took home $1 million (or P58 million), a headliner show in Las Vegas, and a trip to Universal Studios Florida.

The 29-year-old singer, who is nine months pregnant with her first child, Eliana, captivated both the audience and judges Sofia Vergara, Simon Cowell, Mel B and Howie Mandel with her finale performance of fellow Fil-Am artist Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga’s hit single Die With a Smile, earning her a standing ovation and glowing praise.

Earlier in the competition, Sanchez earned a golden buzzer from Vergara, who was moved by her audition rendition of Benson Boone’s Beautiful Things.

Jessica’s local management, Stages Talents, expressed pride in the Pinay songstress with a congratulatory post accompanied by a heartfelt message.

“Congratulations, Jessica Sanchez! Your Stages fam is beyond proud of you and this incredible win!” the group wrote on Facebook.

According to Carlo Orosa of Stages, they plan to bring Jessica back to the Philippines after she gives birth.

Her victory completes a remarkable full-circle story two decades after first stepping onto the “America’s Got Talent” stage at age 10 during its first season in 2006, where she reached the semifinals but fell short of the finals.

Six years later, she also became one of the most memorable voices of her generation when she finished as runner-up to Phillip Phillips in “American Idol” Season 11.

The finale also featured Sanchez revisiting her semifinals performance of JVKE’s Golden Hour, accompanied by aerial stunts from fellow finalists Sirca Marea.