Celeste Cortesi radiates elegance in her final walk as Miss Universe Philippines 2022
Celeste Cortesi is a sight of true beauty and elegance as she took her final walk as the reigning Miss Universe Philippines titleholder before she crowned her successor.
During the pageant's grand coronation night held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 13, Cortesi could not help but get emotional as she walked around the stage in a silky gold dress that elevated her queenly aura.
In her speech, she took the time to extend her deepest gratitude to all the people who have made her journey memorable.
"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 started.
"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," she said.
She went on by sharing some of the lessons that have made a strong impact towards her mindset.
"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," Cortesi highlighted.
"Dahil ang tanging tuntunin sa buhay na hindi mababago ay ang pagbabago. Don’t fear it, ride with it, embrace it," she continued.
She ended her speech by promising that she will remain in pursuit of leadership and will continue to lead her followers by example.
Cortesi has long honed her skills in pageantry when she emerged victorious at the Miss Earth Philippines in 2018, wherein she represented the country on the global stage in the same year for Miss Earth and managed to make it to the Top 8.
The 25-year-old beauty queen from Pasay City eventually decided to give pageantry another go and participated in the Miss Universe Philippines 2022, to which she became the representative of the country for the 71st Miss Universe competition.
Even though the Philippine bet didn’t make it to the semifinals of the prestigious tilt, losing the crown to USA's R'Bonney Gabriel, Cortesi emphasized in an Instagram post that it was her "greatest honor" to to have represented the Philippines on the international stage.
Makati bet Michelle Dee succeeded Cortesi as the new Miss Universe Philippines. She is set to raise the country's flag in the 72nd Miss Universe to be held in El Salvador. Meanwhile, Miss Zambales Christine Opiaza is named the first Runner-up, and Miss Pampanga Angelique Manto lands as the second runner-up.