Second-time winner with most special awards: Will Pauline beat MUPh superstition?
Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx
For the second time since joining the Miss Universe Philippines competition, Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx ran away with the most special awards. At the MUPh preliminaries held at Okada Manila, Pauline won a total of 10 special awards, one of which is Miss Smilee Apparel, a co-presenter of Miss Universe Philippines 2023. She was also named Miss Jojo Bragais, the official shoe designer of the pageant. Her other awards came from other major sponsors. Pauline was hailed Miss Creamsilk Ultimate, Miss Titan Universe, Miss Avana, Miss Soen, Miss Kemans Body, Miss Hello Glow, Miss Enderun, and Miss Origee Beauty Drink by Skin Magical.
It left people wondering whether Pauline will be able to beat "superstition" held by some quarters that those who win the most special awards are not eventually declared the winner. It will be recalled that in Miss Universe Philippines 2020, Pauline won the most special awards from corporate sponsors. She was named Miss Creamsilk, Miss Downy Sweetheart, and Miss Cetaphil Sun. She was also hailed as the Face of the Universe. Rabiya Mateo was eventually crowned Miss Universe 2020 and Pauline placed third runner-up. It was the Boholano-Belgian's first time competing in MUPh. In MUPh 2022, Miss Makati City, Michelle Marquez Dee, ran away with the most special awards. The crown eventually went to Miss Pasay City Celeste Cortesi. Other winners of special awards: Michelle Dee, Miss Makati, Miss Aqua Boracay, Miss Pond's, and Miss Zion Philippines; Mary Angelique Manto, Miss Pampanga, Miss Jewelmer, Miss Cavaso, Miss Okada, and Miss Avon; and Jannarie Zarzoso, Agusan del Norte, Miss Kingston International College. In the MUPh Preliminaries, the 38 candidates paraded in their swimwear and evening gowns. The top 15 candidates from this round will make it to the semi-finals of the national pageant, to be announced on May 13. Eventually, the Top 5 will be chosen for the crucial question-and-answer segment.