Miss Universe Philippines is crowning three queens in this year’s competition. With their beauty, experience, and advocacy, these women may just be on the lead.
Beauty, brilliance, and belief—these are the categories that measure a woman’s readiness for becoming a queen of the country and the universe. In last January’s Miss Universe 2022, we witnessed the shift of the organization’s criteria into choosing who the next face of the universe would be. Good bye, knowing when to peak; hello to consistency in every category.
This year, 40 delegates from different provinces in the Philippines are competing to win three titles, one of which is the Miss Universe crown. 15 women have caught our eyes with their roster of achievements and initial impact during the screening. We’ve round up the ways they are getting our attention as early as now:
Readying the throne
Pageant mentors step away from training queens and become delegates themselves this year, spicing up the competition even before it’s starting. Christine Opiaza is a pasarela coach who has walked her way into 2022 Binibinibing Pilipinas as a finalist. In 2016, she was crowned Miss Bikini Philippines 2016.
Kali Huff, on the other hand, is a seasoned question and answer coach under one of the biggest camps in the country. She is now juggling her duties as a MUPH representative and a law student.
Reigning in various fields
United in diversity for their dreams, Miss Universe Philippines candidates come from all walks of life and degrees under their belt. Chloei Gabales may be an internal auditor during her work hours, but she is a hemophilia awareness advocate 24/7.
Meanwhile, geodetic engineer Christina Afia Yeboah once qualified for the same pageant last 2021. In her interview with Magandang Buhay, she recalled the hardships of being an orphan at a young age.
Alexandria Bollier is just starting out her luck in the beauty industry, but the future CPA and former libero is ready to give her all to win a crown.
Finally, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2021 Samantha Panlilio has a lot of responsibilities under her belt as a lady boss businesswoman.
Rising with intentions
For the first time in history, the Miss Universe organization is allowing mothers and married women to compete. With that rule in mind, Clare Dacanay is the first mother to apply in the screening. They say mothers know best, and Clare might just get the key to winning the judges’ hearts.
Mutya ng Pilipinas – Asia Pacific Territory 2019 Klyza Castro proudly advocates for the culture preservation of indigenous people, specifically the Mandaya tribe in Davao Oriental.
As a psoriasis survivor herself, Jannarie Zarzoso proudly talks about her journey on taking care of her skin. She also gives importance to mental health and children’s rights as well.
Clare Inso, with her degrees in sociology and anthropology, uses her communication skills to connect with people. Besides exploring her interests in debate and modeling, she also joined Eat Bulaga’s Bida Next and placed in the Top 5.
Princess Anne Marcos, on the other hand, is an industrial engineering graduate who is directing her focus to strengthening the agricultural sector of the Bulacan province.
Reintroducing themselves
Familiar faces inside and outside the pageant industry also join this year’s roster. Pauline Amelinckx, who garnered the Miss Universe Philippines Charity title last year and third runner up in 2021, is back better and stronger than ever. Will she finally prove that third time’s the charm?
Another certified queen of her own right is Michelle Dee who represented the Philippines in Miss World 2019, finishing in the Top 12. In last year’s MUPH stint, she earned the title Miss Universe Philippines Tourism. Before the preparation for the crown, she wrapped up her role as Freya in the new GMA series Mga Lihim ni Urduja.
People may know Emmanuelle Vera as a singer-songwriter and actress, but did you know she placed 3rd runner up at the Miss Reina Hispanoamerica in 2021? Now back in the Philippines as a delegate, will she earn a crown in the country, too?
Last but definitely not the least, Angelique Manto finally fulfilled her lifelong dream to join the world of pageantry when she was spotted at the MUPH screening. We may know her as the content creator that she is today, but Angelique once unleashed her hosting skills as a UAAP courtside reporter for University of Sto. Tomas.
