The highs and lows of the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 pageant
The Miss Universe Philippines 2023 pageant has been a hot topic online since the coronation night took place on Saturday, May 14.
The hotly anticipated event was held at the Mall of Asia Arena, where Michelle Dee of Makati clinched the highly coveted crown. Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol won Miss Supranational Philippines, while Krishnah Gravidez of Baguio was named Miss Charm Philippines. Christine Opiaza of Zambales bagged first runner-up, followed by Angelique Manto of Pampanga who was crowned second runner-up.
Aside from the pageant results, netizens have been talking about certain moments and personalities at the recently concluded beauty pageant. From Alden Richards’ minor “Steve Harvey moment” to the strong Q&A segment and beyond, here’s a look at the highs and lows of the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 tilt.
HIGH: The touching moment between Miss Cebu Province and Miss Marinduque
Miss Cebu Province slipped! And Miss Marinduque with an immediate response ❤️#MissUniversePhilippines2023 pic.twitter.com/v9pA7Se0bf
— Slaymie Provido (@providology) May 13, 2023
Netizens tweeted about Miss Cebu Province (Emmanuelle Vera)’s onstage fall during the swimsuit competition as Christine Salcedo of Marinduque immediately offered to help her up mid-segment. “Miss Cebu Province slipped! And Miss Marinduque with an immediate response,” a Twitter user captioned a video of the incident. “A true queen,” another one said as they quoted the same tweet.
LOW: Host Alden Richards’ minor ‘Steve Harvey moment’
Alden Richards “Steve Harvey” moment 😅 Go lang, @aldenrichards02 🙌🏻 You did well :) #MissUniversePhilippines2023 pic.twitter.com/OG9KzlbBpS
— Marvin (@MarviniDaw) May 13, 2023
Host Alden Richards had a minor “Steve Harvey moment” onstage at the early part of the affair when he incorrectly announced the winner of Miss Friendship prior to revealing the Top 18 candidates. He called Jannarie Zarzoso of Agusan Del Norte to receive the award first but later on corrected himself and gave the award to Shayne Glenmae Maquiran of Capiz.
“I stand corrected. Miss Friendship is Miss Capiz, Shayne Glenmae Maquiran. But Miss Jannarie Zarzoso is our Face of Social Media,” he said.
HIGH: Fil-Am stars at the coronation night
The guest list was glittered with Fil-Am personalities who flew all the way from the United States for this year’s Miss Universe Philippines tilt. Reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel—the first Filipino-American to bag the international title—served as one of the judges of the evening. American Idol Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez, who is also half-Filipino, entertained the crowd with a spectacular performance.
LOW: Technical difficulties that scrapped the Top 10 of the competition
After naming the candidates who made it to the Top 10 from 18, host Xian Lim said things “got a bit more interesting” as he announced that the Top 18 will be back onstage for the evening gown segment to compete for a spot in the Top 5, which had to be determined via a manual tally due to “technical difficulties.” The announcement was made after a break that lasted for almost an hour.
HIGH: Strong Q&A segment
The question-and-answer portion of the pageant was a strong one this year as many netizens lauded pageant veterans Amelinckx and Dee and courtside reporter Manto on social media for their brilliant answers to the questions thrown at them. The winning one was Dee’s.
When asked about the best thing that the Philippines can offer to the rest of the world, the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 titleholder said it’s the people. “We are the true heart and soul of the Philippines—with the way we are hospitable, with the warm smiles, and we are the reason why the world keeps coming back for more. No matter where the universe takes me, I will always be proud to call the Philippines my home. No matter what happens, I will always be proud to call myself Pinoy.”
HIGH: Celeste Cortesi's final walk as Miss Universe Philippines
Celeste Cortesi turned heads as she took her final walk as Miss Universe Philippines titleholder before she crowned her successor. "This meaning of success is not the fifth crown, but to have truly made a positive and progressive change in so many people's lives," she began her speech.
"I would like to take these final moments to recall this timeless year. As I spoke my heart out to the world, I had yearned to stop time for a day to see my family after a very long time, and when I did, I held my mom the tightest and my wish was granted."
"Words are indeed powerful and the universe has its way to reach out to us because it knows what you truly carry in your heart. If I could also extend my learning to the queens here today, to be lost in the memories of the past or to be caught up in overthinking about the future, is being absent of the only thing really existing, which is right now," she added.
"Dahil ang tanging tuntunin sa buhay na hindi mababago ay ang pagbabago. Don’t fear it, ride with it, embrace it," the beauty queen added.
HIGH: Queens supporting queens
When Dee was announced Miss Universe Philippines 2023, Amelinckx was quick to congratulate her and give her a warm hug onstage—a touching moment between the two pageant veterans. Dee won Miss World Philippines in 2019, while Amelinckx won Miss Universe Philippines Charity in 2022.
Gravidez, later on, joined in the group hug.
LOW: Separate award ceremony for the country’s bets to the Miss Supranational and Miss Charm pageants
Viewers were left confused when the competition was concluded without announcing Amelinckx and Gravidez’s titles, only to learn that a separate awarding ceremony just for the two was held after the coronation night at Okada’s Cove Manila in Parañaque.
In a tweet, former MUPh candidate Ayn Bernos explained the reason behind the separate event to non-pageant fans. “Ayaw kasi ng Miss Universe Organization na magcrown for another pageant sa mga national franchise like MUPh,” she said.
Earlier this year, Jakrajutatip said that the involvement of other international titles with local franchises under the Miss Universe organization is no longer allowed. In a video shared by renowned pageant page Missossology in February, the Miss Universe owner can be heard saying that the MUO “prefers to have just one stage for one beauty pageant brand.”
