MISS Pasay Celeste Cortesi was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2022 during the Coronation Night on April 30, held at the Mall of Asia Arena, Bay City, Pasay, Metro Manila.
Cortesi also bagged special awards like Best in Swimsuit and Miss Photogenic. The 24-year-old model will represent the country in the prestigious Miss Universe 2022 pageant.
During the final question and answer portion, event presenter Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach asked the beauty queen coming from Pasay, “If you could stop time for a day, how would you spend it?”
“If I could stop time, I would spend it with my family especially with my mother. It’s been two years I didn’t see my family because they live in Italy and I came here in the Philippines just by myself. So if I had the chance to spend one day I would definitely be with my mom and I would tell her how much I love her and miss her,” said Cortesi.
Joining Cortesi in the top five were Miss Taguig Katrina Llegad (second runner-up), Miss Misamis Oriental Annabelle McDonnell (first runner-up), Miss Bohol Pauline Cucharo Amelinckx (Miss Universe Charity) and Miss Makati City Michelle Dee (Miss Universe Tourism).
At the start of the evening, the program announced its special awardees: Miss Ilocos Sur Jewel Alexandria Palacat was named as Miss Friendship and Miss Albay Julia Calleja Saubier won Best In National Costume.
The top 16 were then announced: Miss Nueva Vizcaya Gillian Katherine De Mesa, Miss Taguig Katrina Llegado, Miss Cebu City Chantal Elise Schmidt, Miss Aklan Jona Sweett, Miss Makati City Michelle Dee, Miss Albay Julia Calleja Saubier, Miss Palawan Angelica Lopez, Miss Iloilo Province Vanessa Ann Caro, Miss Baguio City Ghenesis Latugat, Miss Cebu Province Lou Dominique Piczon, Miss Misamis Oriental Annabelle McDonnell, Miss Bohol Pauline Cucharo Amelinckx, Miss Ilocos Sur Jewel Alexandria Palacat, Miss Laguna Sonja Jeyn Tanyag, Miss Pasay City Celeste Cortesi and Miss Iloilo City Dorothy Gemillan.
Dee bagged the Best in Evening Gown recognition.
The top 10 were then announced and answered a casual question each posed by Wurtzbach. The top 10 were Miss Makati City, Miss Pasay City, Miss Baguio City, Miss Taguig, Miss Misamis Oriental, Miss Cebu Province, Miss Bohol, Miss Cebu City, Miss Albay and Miss Iloilo Province. (LQ3)