Get to know Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi's supportive boyfriend Mathew Custodio
Miss Taguig might have been the one who gushed about her boyfriend on the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 stage, but we got a different couple on our minds: crowned queen Celeste Cortesi and her supportive beau Mathew Custodio.
The Filipino-Italian beauty queen first posted a photo with her boyfriend in August 2020 and has been sharing their love ever since. So who is this man that stole Cortesi's heart?
Custodio is a Filipino-British football player for the Philippine Azkals, playing as a defender. Prior to playing for the national team, he used to be part of the De La Salle Football team.
The 24-year-old athlete was raised by a single mother, with whom he moved from house to house with as they struggled financially. She was also the one who influenced Custodio to fall in love with football.
"I don't entirely remember how I started but siguro it's the influence of my mom," he told ABS-CBN's The Score in 2018.
In addition to his football career, Custodio also worked as a model for Bench/Body.
On Instagram, Custodio and Cortesi are often posting photos together, mostly of them visiting the beach.
Last Halloween, the couple went as Boo and Sulley from Monsters Inc., with Custodio saying he has "always had this thing" for Cortesi.
"I will always be there to protect you. Although I've had to wait 20 years to finally have you, know that... I've always been in love with you," he wrote in November 2021.
On Facebook, the football player has been supportive of Cortesi's Miss Universe Philippines run, sharing photos of her winning challenges and posting sweet captions.
Following Cortesi's win, the football player penned a sweet message about the newly crowned queen on May 3.
"We've always known she was bound for the crown. We've seen her grow, we've seen her inspire the people she meets not just by words and actions but by simply carrying her values, her upbringing," Custodio wrote.
"You didn’t have to be a panelist nor a front-row judge to see that she possesses the attributes of a true, regal Queen."
"On a personal level, I feel very blessed to be loved by you... I cannot wait for our country and the world to feel the love you are about to share. It needs it," he concluded.
