The coming Miss Universe Philippines 2024 is turning out to be a battleground for pageant veterans, which makes this year's competition very exciting. Christi Lynn Landrito McGarry, the only Filipina to compete in Miss Intercontinental twice, was announced yesterday as Taguig City's representative to the MUPH.

(Note that in the past week, the candidacy of seasoned queens like Miss International 2018 first runner-up Atisha Manalo (Quezon Province), Miss Intercontinental 2014 second runner-up Kris Tiffany Janson (Cebu), Miss Tourism International 2019 Cyrille Payumo, and Bb. Pilipinas 2022 second runner-up Stacey Gabriel has also announced.)

Towering at five feet 11 inches, Christi is a model, DJ, and athlete proud of her "brown skin." Her highest placement in an international pageant was being named first runner-up in Miss Intercontinental 2015, the same year her batchmate Pia Wurtzbach was also crowned Miss Universe. The US-educated beauty's previous titles include Miss Teen Philippines-USA 2004, Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific 2010 and Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2015.

Wearing a glittery Rajo Laurel dress and stiletto heels given to her by Pia, Christi was positively glowing in her sashing ceremony at The Vault, an exclusive club in Bonifacio Global City. With her were the MUPH-accredited partners for Taguig City Angel Comia and Virma Apostol.

Also notable were  Christi's society friends, who gave her support for the important announcement. They included Tim Yap, Mond Gutierrez, Bubbles Paraiso, model Jessica Yang, and a few others. Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi also advised Christi to "word very hard because it's a once-in-lifetime experience."

"I just want her to enjoy and to not let bashing, rumors and people around you influence you. Just be with your team, the people that you trust and always rely on them because no matter what, they will always be there for you," Celeste, who is now a Kapuso actress, remarked.

Meanwhile, Mond commented: "Christi is a seasoned queen, she's beauty and brains, she's a total package. We're just here to give our support and to give her good energy and good vibes. When she asks for advice that's when we give it and I really believe in her. She's made for the global stage and I think she will make the Philippines proud."

Christi said her advocacy will be environmental sustainability as she reasoned out that "it's something that affects the food that we eat, the water that we drink, the air that we breathe."

When the age restriction was lifted in Miss Universe, the 34-year-old beauty said she was motivated to be involved in pageantry again.

"It's something that's always stayed in the back of my mind, knowing that I had this kind of purpose to fulfill. And I know it might sound a little cheesy or cliche, but something told me that the universe was calling, that the stars were aligning. And I believe in everything in its right place and time. Definitely, there was something that told me this was my place in time," she noted.

Christi will join other candidates nationwide in the MUPH Press Presentation on Feb. 18.