In case you missed the pageant, here’s a Miss Universe Philippines 2023 recap!
Miss Universe Philippines has crowned its new titleholder during the pageant’s coronation night on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Michelle Dee, daughter of beauty queen Melanie Marquez, was hailed the Miss Universe Philippines 2023.
The pageant was hosted by Kapuso actors Alden Richards and Xian Lim, and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi.
Aside from the coronation itself, the pageant proper has been a feast for pageant fans, casual viewers, and netizens that they block off their schedules to witness this once-a-year event.
But for those who missed it, FreebieMNL presents a quick Miss Universe Philippines 2023 recap containing all the important details you do not want to miss!
Michelle Dee of Makati is Miss Universe Philippines 2023
Pageant veteran and Kapuso actress Michelle Marquez Dee of Makati has successfully clinched the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 crown.
The 28-year-old daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez has been crowned as the official delegate of the Philippines to the 72nd Miss Universe pageant. She bested 39 women from across the country, ultimately securing the title after her first attempt in 2022.
Following Michelle’s Top 12 finish in Miss World 2019, she then embarked on another major title in 2021, and landed first runner-up in Miss Universe Philippines 2022. Now that the crown sits rightfully on her head, the challenge of bringing back the title is upon her shoulders as she gears for the ultimate competition in El Salvador later this year.
A separate coronation for Miss Bohol and Miss Baguio
On Sunday, April 14, 2023, Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol and Krishnah Gravidez of Baguio were crowned in a separate program as Miss Supranational Philippines and Miss Charm Philippines, respectively.
Contrary to the conventional two-woman standing, this year’s edition had selected the winner from a roster of three—with a separate crowning program scheduled for Miss Charm and Miss Supranational.
Pauline, the representative of Bohol, has been in the pageant world for quite some time already. She joined the debut edition of Miss Universe Philippines in 2020, where she placed third runner-up. She made another attempt for the crown in 2022 and decently finished an inch higher as second runner-up. Krishnah, on the other hand, is a model who won Miss Baguio in 2022 before coming into the nationals.
Standing among the Top 5 are two other girls: Angelique Manto of Pampanga and Christine Opiaza of Zambales. The former bagged the second-runner up, while the latter secured the first-runner up spot.
Swimsuit round
The highly anticipated battle of catwalk and curves was just as exciting as 18 delegates fought for tighter spots in the beats of DJ Patty Tiu. The list includes: Agusan Del Norte (Jannarie Zarzoso), Bohol (Pauline Amelinckx), Pampanga (Angelique Manto), Eastern Samar (Airrish Ramos), Makati (Michelle Marquez Dee), Paranaque (Clare Dacanay), Afia Adorable Yeboah (Tiaong, Quezon), Sorsogon (Rein Hillary Carrascal), Mandaluyong (Iman Franchesca Cristal).
Also part of the Top 18 who battled it out in the swimsuit competition are: Bacolod (Jan Marie Bordon), Cebu Province (Emmanuelle Vera), Marinduque (Christine Salcedo), Zambales Christine Opiaza), Cavite (Samantha Panlilio), Davao Oriental (Klyza Castro), Baguio (Krishnah Gravidez), Isabela (Kimberlyn Acob), Bulacan (Princess Marcos).
All was going so smoothly as the girls paraded once more in their swimsuits for one last look. However, Cebu bet Emanuelle Vera seemed to have missed her footing, sending her into a shocking trip.
All things considered, the Cebuana beauty still recovered.
READ ALSO: Miss Cebu Emmanuelle Vera Falls During Miss Universe 2023 Swimsuit Round
Technical issue nullifies Top 10
After the announcement of the Top 10, the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 pageant has left viewers in shock as it axed the list and brought the Top 18 back to compete for the evening gown round.
After the intense fight in the swimsuit round, the Top 10 was announced: Makati, Bohol, Davao Oriental, Baguio, Zambales, Agusan del Norte, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, and Cavite.
However, a few minutes stretched into a surprising twist as host Xian Lim claimed that a technical issue had railed the tabulation, thus the decision.
He announced, “To everyone watching here tonight and to everyone watching at home via online streaming, we have an announcement to make. This is gonna make tonight a little interesting.
“Due to technical issues, we’ve resulted to manual tallying, which means our Top 18 candidates will go through the evening gown and compete for the Top 5.”
Just after the segment, the Top 5 were hailed. Pampanga, who was not in the original list of Top 10, made to the Top 5 along with Zambales, Bohol, Baguio, and Makati.
Question and answer portion
Pampanga, Zambales, Bohol, Baguio, and Makati faced the final round of the competition as they came head to head in the battle of wit and intelligence—the Question and Answer round.
The Final 5 were given two sets of questions—first of which are individual questions from the judges specific only to each candidate.
Here’s the complete transcript of the first round:
Miss Baguio Krishnah Gravidez
Question from sports and pageant reporter Dyan Castillejo: Trans women athletes are now being allowed to compete in women’s sports events in many international competitions. Do you think this is a step in the right direction? Why or why not?”
Miss Baguio: I am all for equality with all genders, and I believe that we have the right to participate in any sports. However, I believe that there’s a biological reason that we should not allow transwomen in the women category because I believe that there’s a right time for that and there’s right measurements to be done.
Miss Pampanga Angelique Manto
Question from GMA executive Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes: There were calls by some sectors to ban movies and TV shows that portray the Philippines in a bad light. Should we? Why or why not?
Miss Pampanga: I believe that in every aspect, there are two things—they are the good and the bad. But it’s in the matter of how we receive the images that we are sharing about the Philippines. We always share the good, the beauty there is in the Philippines. But we must also accept that in every aspect there is the bad and we must learn and grow from that and improve the country that we are in. And hopefully, we see the Philippines for the good and the bad and celebrate it and allow us to appreciate the country we are in.
Miss Bohol Pauline Amelincx
Question from Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez: There were reports of online sexual exploitation of women and children. As a woman, how do you make the digital space safe for you, for other women, and children?
Miss Bohol: I make the digital space safe by taking the lead in that action—by making sure that what I put out there is the truth and is also a message of hope for everyone else. And for anyone that finds himself or herself in such a situation, know that there are people out there who will be able to help you, reach out to you, and make sure that you will be able to get through this and we can make a difference together.
Miss Zambales Christine Opiaza
Question from Lloyd Lee, husband of Miss Universe Philippines 2011 and national director Shamcey Supsup: A recent Goldman Sachs study found that artificial intelligence tools or AI could impact 300,000,000 full-time jobs worldwide—which could lead to a significant disruption in the job market. What do you think of this?
Miss Zambales: We are moving forward progress and growth, but change isn’t always about progress. We have to consider that manpower really pulls the economic development of each and every country. We have to put importance in each and every person, making their crafts be seen in each and every aspect in the country. So, we have to balance the AI and also the importance of having manpower in the country.
Miss Makati Michelle Dee
Question from Congressman Sam Versoza: Income inequality is still high in the Philippines. The gap between the rich and the poor remains. How do we close that gap?”
Miss Makati: I think first, we have to recognize what we have and the privileges that we have, such as food, education, and homes. I think the best way to address this really is through education because education holds no status quo. And every Filipino child has the right to education, but not just any education but quality education. Because, I believe, if the government can provide this to every Filipino child, then we can not only elevate their quality of life but we can empower them as well.
After the first round of Q&A, the girls were handed out another question, this time, the same for everyone. Noise cancellation headphones were provided to give each girl the same thought pacing.
The final question was read by Xian: Recently, the Department of Tourism has adopted a new branding campaign, “We give the world our best.” For you, what is the best hat we could offer to the rest of the world? Why do you consider it so?
Here are their answers:
Miss Baguio: Having to struggle at a very early age, I have uncertainties that I received kindness a lot of times. So now, aside from it’s free, I give kindness to everyone because this kindness can go a long way, can motivate someone, can give radiance to their days. Because this kindness also made me transform myself from a woman who had nothing to a lady that has the universe in her doorstep.
Miss Pampanga: I come here not just sharing my story but the multitude of stories we have yet to hear especially for those who are struggling in mental health. I believe the best that we could do and we could share is to remember and to remind everyone of the humanity in us, the empathy that have been inside of us all along and to unlock it so that we could provide more humanity in humanity. The best way to share that is to allow people safe spaces for mental health so that we could further this advocacy and more.
Miss Bohol: The best that we offer to the world is the Filipino warmth. It is something that we feel in other countries when we see other Filipino communities but is something we feel even more evidently here in the Philippines. And with this slogan at heart, this value within us, we’ll be able to bring many people together to make a meaningful change out there and show them the best the Philippines has to offer.
Miss Zambales: The best that we could give to this world is to be of good cause, to find our purpose, to wake up every single day, be grateful that you still have the chance to life and to see the beauty of life, to find your purpose and to make something out of it, to create a great change to people around yourself, your family, and your community and I hope we strive for betterment and development of each and every individual.
Miss Makati: The Philippines is home to a very beautiful natural resources, from the beaches, mountains but I believe that the best natural resources that the Philippines has is us Filipinos. We are the true heart and soul of the Philippines, with the way we are hospitable with the warm smile and we are the reason the world keeps coming back for more. No matter where the universe takes me, I will always be proud to call Philippines my home and no matter what happens, I will always be proud to call myself Pinoy.”
Miss Universe Philippines in the past
The recent conclusion of the annual Miss Universe Philippines pageant marked its four years since establishment.
The title was initially under the Binibining Pilipinas Organization headed by Stella Marquez Araneta. It was only in 2020 when it was acquired by Empire Philippines Holdings Inc.
Since then, it has sent notable Filipinas to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, including Iloilo’s Rabiya Mateo in 2020, Beatrice Luigi Gomez of Cebu in 2021, and Pasay’s Celeste Cortesi in 2023.
