At the Miss Universe Philippines Fashion and Charity Gala (from left): MUPH National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart, Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe Owner and CEO of JKN Global Group Anne Jakrajutatip, MUPH Creative and Events Director Jonas Gaffud

Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel has arrived in Manila and will stay in the country for one week. She promptly ticked off the qualities of the girl who will succeed reigning queen Celeste Cortesi on Saturday's coronation night.

"It's a stiff competition, but I know it's gonna be a girl that's owning her uniqueness, who carries that confidence in who she is, how she carries herself on stage and is a great communicator and isn't shy to be herself," the half-Filipino R' Bonney pointed out.

Shortly after landing in the Philippines, R'Bonney prepared immediately for the Miss Universe Fashion and Charity Gala held in Okada Manila. She wore a dazzling terno from designer Mark Bumgarner's latest collection. She began her speech at the event by speaking fluent Tagalog.

Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel posing with Miss Universe Talent Director Esther Swan who is on her last two weeks on the job after a magnificent stint

"Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. I am so happy to be here. I actually landed just a few hours ago. People are asking me if I am tired. I'm not tired because I'm so excited to be in the Philippines. I have been waiting to come to this beautiful country. It has been five years since I last visited, and I have so many memories of visiting my father's country growing up as a child. This is one of my favorite places to visit because the Filipino people are so hospitable, they're so welcoming, so charming, so funny, has the best food and most of all have the best hearts," R'Bonney commented.

"As a half-Filipino, half-American, I feel quite lucky to be Filipino. I would say we are one of the best countries to compete, one of the best countries that actually put our all into pageants. The Filipino people have given me so much support as I trained for Miss Texas, as I trained for Miss USA and for Miss Universe," she added.

The reigning Miss Universe admitted that the fandom and spirit of pageantry in the Philippines left her amazed.

JKN Global Group CEO Anne Jakrajutatip, also known as Khun Anne, gave a speech on the power of content at the MUPH Fashion and Charity Gala Night

"I remember watching Miss Philippines last year and I thought the competition was so amazing, the production was so inspiring, the level of women that compete was top tier," she noted.

"I haven't even won a pageant yet, but I felt so inspired to watch that competition. It really gave me that extra motivation as I trained for my local pageant back home in Texas. I wanna thank everybody for the continued inspiration," she said.

R'Bonney took time to congratulate this year's Miss Universe Philippines candidates for their hard work.

"The girls have been competing for some time now, a few months. I've been seeing it on social media. I can tell there's so much hard work that goes into this. I just wanna wanna commend all the girls that have put themselves out there. Pageantry has changed my life like no other it has really pushed me to be the highest truest form of myself and I know that these girls have their own unique journey," she stressed.