Speaking in Italian-accented English, the endearing 24-year old stunner charmed judges with her emphasis on the importance of family, which she relishes and credits to her Filipino and Italian roots. She also shared with the audience how she misses her Italy-based Filipino mother, whom she hasn’t seen in person for two years now.
By Alex Y. Vergara
The stars aligned last night for one lucky and deserving woman, as this year’s batch of 31 Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) 2022 delegates took to the stage at SM-Mall of Asia Arena to showcase their unique beauty and advocacies, with the goal of winning arguably the most prestigious local beauty pageant title and representing the country later this year at Miss Universe.
By the end of the nearly three-hour show, model Celeste Cortesi, a half-Filipino, half-Italian pageant veteran, who previously won Miss Earth Philippines in 2018, ran away with the coveted diamond- and pearl-encrusted crown designed by Jewelmer.
Celeste, who represented Pasay, bested other frontrunners such as Makati’s Michelle Marquez Dee, who settled for second place, and Taguig’s Kathrina Llegado, who placed fifth. Michelle previously won Miss World Philippines, while Kathrina represented the country in the Reina Hispanoamericana contest a couple of years back.
Rounding up the top five were Misamis Oriental’s Annabelle McDonnell, fourth place, and pageant repeater Pauline Cocharo Amelinckx of Bohol, third place.
During the make-or-break final question, Celeste was asked if she had the power to stop time, how would she spend it. Revealing her soft, sentimental side, Celeste, in her Italian-accented English, said: “If I could stop time, I would spend it with my family, especially [my] mother. It’s been two years since I haven’t spent time with my family because they live in Italy, and I came here in the Philippines just by myself. If I had a chance to spend one day, I would definitely be with my mom, and I would just tell her how much I love her and I miss her.”
She also related in a previously produced video of how she tried her luck in the Philippines five years ago by flying here all by herself despite not knowing how to speak English and Filipino. Her metamorphosis was quite evident last night, as she easily answered the nerve-wracking final question in straight, nearly flawless English.
Celeste also earlier won Best in Swimsuit and Miss Photogenic, while Michelle, the most awarded girl during the preliminary show held several days ago, was judged Best in Long Gown in her beaded silver number by Francis Libiran.
Pauline, who joined MUP two years ago and placed third runner-up, also made her mark in the question-and-answer round. A diver, environmentalist and aspiring marine conservationist, she was asked what was that one life-changing decision that she has made, and what was its impact on her life.
She said: “The life-changing decision that I’ve made is to join Miss Universe Philippines again, despite being bashed before for my body, being doubted by people.
“I found strength in myself. And this story can be a testament for other people to draw strength from, too. That a second chance can be just as sweet, and you can still achieve your ultimate a second time around.”
From 31 girls, the number was quickly cut several minutes into the show to the top 16 delegates who scored the highest in a series of preliminary judging events, which included swimsuit, evening gown and interviews. The number was further trimmed later to the top 10, then top five. For the first time since the pandemic began in early 2020, organizers behind MUP were able to hold a live show in a huge public venue.
For the longest time, MUP, then known as Binibining Pilipinas Universe, was under the umbrella of Binibining Pilpinas Charities, which annually chose winners to be sent to several of the biggest global beauty pageants, including Miss Universe.
MUP broke off in 2020 and held a separate contest with only one winner. It debuted on the global stage as a solo organization by sending Rabiya Mateo to Miss Universe early last year in Florida. She made it as far as top 21. Before the year was over, Miss Universe held another contest in Eilat, Israel, where Beatrice Luigi Gomez competed, eventually placing in the top 5.
Organizers led by Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Jonas Gaffud and Voltaire Tayag, put out all the stops to come up with a star-studded and polished show directed by Robby Carmona, which featured three former Miss Universe winners as hosts: Demi-Leigh Tebow, Iris Mittenaere and the Philippines’ very own Pia Wurtzbach.
Also gracing the show is reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu, who sat as one of this year’s judges, and, of course, outgoing Miss Universe Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez. Morisette, JM Bales, Sam Concepcion and American Idol finalist and Filipino-American singer Francisco Martin were among the evening’s featured performers. With a report from Alvy Alviar
