Hannah Michelle Gilmore will no longer join this year's Miss Universe Philippines pageant. Gilmore/Instagram 

Hannah Michelle Gilmore of the Filipino community in Los Angeles, California will no longer participate in this year's Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) pageant.

In a statement, the beauty queen said "the time is not right" for her to compete this year, not giving further details.

She also expressed hope that she will get another chance to join the pageant in the future.

"It is with a heavy heart to inform you that I have made the decision to step down and to not compete in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant this year," Gilmore said. 

"I truly believe that God's timing is never wrong, and while the time is not right for me to continue in the competition now, I trust that everything happens for a reason and hopefully when it's right have the opportunity to participate in the future," she added.

Gilmore also took the opportunity to thank her family, friends, and supporters in the pageant community as she revealed her plans of "growing and pursuing my passions."

"This experience as Miss Universe Philippines - Los Angeles has been a blessing," she said, adding that she is excited "for what the future holds."

Read the full statement below:

instagram.com/themissphilippines.ca/

With Gilmore's withdrawal, only 68 candidates will be competing for the MUPH 2025 crown.

This year's batch includes fresh faces and pageant veterans such as Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Winwyn Marquez, Miss International 2018 first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo, and Miss Earth Air 2023 Yllana Aduana. 

The upcoming edition also is also the first under the leadership of MUPH's new national director, Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida. 

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