The latest announcement has just been made: three past Miss Universe winners will be hosting this year’s Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) Pageant slated on April 30 at the MOA Arena. In a social media post over the weekend, the MUPh Organization said 2015 Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines, 2016 queen Iris Mittenaere of France and 2017 winner Demi Leigh Peters-Tebow of South Africa, will be sharing one stage to declare who the Philippines’ delegate to the 72nd edition of the world’s most prestigious pageant will be.
But wait, there’s more! If you happen to catch the latest statements made by the MUO very recently, the Philippines, it seems, is part of current Miss Universe titleholder Harnaaz Sandhu of India’s travel itinerary. If this actually pushes through and if schedules actually fit in the local search’s timeline, then we will actually witness four universal queens in attendance when MUPh 2022 is crowned.
No wonder, MUPh National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee personally told The Thrillmaker: “This is going to be the biggest edition of Miss Universe Philippines yet. Abangan nyo, marami pang pasabog ang Miss Universe Philippines 2022,” when we saw each other during a catch-up media conference last week for MUPh 2021 and Miss Universe Top 5 finisher Beatrice Luigi Gomez and some of this year’s Top 50 MUPh2022 candidates. A Miss Universe placer herself, Supsup-Lee expressed overall satisfaction over this year’s crop of candidates.
“I am so happy with the turnout. I told you many times that it’s different when you see them in person, than when you see them on videos or in photos,” she said.
For her part, Gomez sums up her journey as MUPH queen as a fulfilling one, saying: “I believe that in a short period of time that I was Miss Universe Philippines, I was able to do my best, and I was able to give the Philippines a good result in the international stage.”
She also expressed excitement for the ladies taking part in this year’s pageant, especially since live events are now permitted given eased COVID-19 restrictions.
“The audience can now see them physically and their loved ones, their fans can cheer for them. It’s something that me and Rabiya weren’t able to experience during our time. I’m very happy that I will be a part of that experience,” said Gomez, who was crowned last year in Bohol with a very small number of people in attendance.
The Cebuana beauty queen is also impressed with the diverse backgrounds of this year’s candidates for MUPh, which is seemingly going to be a battle royale between veterans and newbies.
“I saw a few ladies who are very much experienced, and I saw some who are still very young and need that experience. What I can advise them is that, this is a learning opportunity they need to make the most of it, they just have to be themselves, be comfortable by being themselves and just enjoy the entire journey.” Gomez added: “They don’t have to pressure themselves to win the crown. What they need to focus on is performing their best and when they’re able to do their best they won’t have regrets and it will already be like winning.”
During the afternoon’s event, among the ladies who made an impression on the media were Miss Philippines Earth 2018 Celeste Cortesi, representing Pasay City; MUPh 2020 3rd runner-up, Pauline Amelinx from Bohol; Reina Hispano-Americana 2020 3rd runner-up, Katrina Llegado of Taguig; former Binibining Pilipinas candidate Julia Saubier; Misses Misamis Oriental, Cebu City, Palawan and Pangasinan. Aside from Cebu, which sent four highly-impressive delegates, Bulacan likewise sent three well-spoken delegates who can easily seal for themselves some spots for the finals. Iloilo also came in strong with two gorgeous representatives. Makati’s Michelle Dee, who was Miss World Philippines 2019 missed the event.
The outgoing queen ended our conversation by sharing her own favorites for this year’s competition. Revealed (but not surprisingly): “All the girls are potential winners. There are four Cebuanas this year. I’m hoping that one of them will continue the winning streak of Cebu, but if not, that girl will be very lucky, and I will still be proud of her and continue to support her. It will be a great year for her.”