Miss Universe Philippines 2023 is shaping up to be a year of the comeback, judging from the initial preliminary events, and the press and swimsuit presentations held recently in BGC and Boracay, respectively.
Of the 38 lovely candidates, Michelle Dee and Pauline Amelinckx, who were named Miss Universe Philippines Tourism and Miss Universe Philippines Charity in last year’s edition, have emerged as frontrunners again.
Both deserving of the crow, Dee and Amelinckx were named in the Aqua Magic 8 beauties at the end of the swimsuit presentation along with Krishnah Gravidez, Klyza Castro, Samantha Panlilio, Emmanuel Vera, Christine Juliane Opiaza, Clare Dacanay, Jannarie Zarzoso, and Angelique Manto.
for Miss Universe Philippines 2023
Castro, a Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International 2019, Gravidez, Miss Baguio City 2022 and Zarzoso, Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2020, were also getting strong buzz which could spoil the run of the come-backing veterans.
Meanwhile, Dee, Amelinckx, Gravidez, together with Panlilio, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2022, and Emmanuelle Vera, Reina Hispanoamericana 2021 third runner up, were named in the five Women of Titan, by an event sponsor.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 coronation night will be held on May 13 at SM Mall of Asia Arena. Reigning Miss Universe 2022 R’bonney Gabriel is in for a glamourous homecoming at the finals along with other VIPs.
* * *
Inaugural Miss CosmoWorld Philippines
After winning Miss CosmoWorld 2022 in Malaysia in November, Meiji Cruz is now the franchise owner of Miss CosmoWorld Philippines, launched recently at Kao Manila. Handpicked to compete, Cruz received $100,000 in cash and RM1 million worth of other prizes, one of the highest cash prizes in international pageants, part of which she invested in a skin care business, she named Cosmic Beauty, Inc.
“To raise the status of Filipino women not only through education, awareness, and equality but also achieving financial independence through financial literacy, is the driving force behind why we are joining the pageant industry,” Cruz said. “We are giving away P1 million in full cash to the grand winner and I hope that she will be given the same great opportunity to attain financial independence as I had with my exposure to the Malaysian financial market.”
Grand Coronation is tentatively set on September 28.
* * *
Bb. Pilipinas hopeful vs discrimination against HIV+ persons
She struck me as an intelligent, confident, and beautiful person. Julia Mae Mendoza is a self-made woman, who grew up poor on Capiz island, selling cigarettes and candies at the young age of seven. She wanted to be her own boss and saved a lot for her future. Now she is competing for one of the titles of Bb. Pilipinas 2023.
“Joining Binibini has always been my dream. Even if they say that I’m too short, not that fair and not having the standard of a beauty queen, that did not stop me from joining. Because I believe that I have the qualities to be a Binibini,” said the 27-year-old, half-Filipino, half-Brazilian from Roxas City.
“More importantly, I joined Bb. because of my advocacy for HIV awareness which is in line with the causes of BPCI organization. I wish BPCI to help me in this platform which is closest to my heart. My youngest sister died because of AIDS and I want to bring awareness that there is life after HIV. I have formed a “Breaking Barriers” movement which focuses on the need to break the stigma and discrimination against HIV positive individuals,” the beauty salon and clothing line owner added.
“I admire women who faced challenges but stood firm. I learned from their lessons and took inspiration from their life stories, said Mendoza, a Century Tuna Superbods 2022 top 7 finalist.