Cebuana model, Maria Gigante, edged out more than forty candidates from around the globe and was named Universal Woman 2024 during finals night, held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Friday.
Miss Venezuela Lisandra Chirinos finished as first runner-up, while Miss France Elisa Mysyshyne was the second runner-up. Miss Cambodia Brianna Mai and Miss Dominican Republic Tavera Pena Chabelli were named third and fourth runners-up, respectively.
Gigante was crowned by outgoing queen Valentina Sanchez of Venezuela.
A native of Bantayan Island, Cebu, Gigante was appointed in January as the Philippine representative in the second edition of the pageant. Gigante’s title will provide her with a platform to work on her social project for the protection of women and children from physical and mental abuse, through a non-profit organization chosen by the Universal Woman Organization.
A graduate of a Bachelor of Philosophy degree at the University of San Carlos, Gigante works as a contributing photographer at Gawad Kalinga Development Foundation.
“A Universal Woman means the future. I learned from working with this organization that I want to live in a world that is filled with respect and collaboration. One that encourages people to step into their differences instead of ignoring them, and learn to harness them to affect positive social change,” Gigante answered when asked the Final 5 question, “What does a Universal Woman mean to you?”
“I want to be in this organization because I feel that I am not alone and willing to make a difference, to support a world that is not only sustainable but also stands for economic progress and positive, inclusive social impact,” she concluded.
The Universal Woman pageant aims to provide a platform that champions the unique brilliance and beauty of women, focusing on those making a positive impact in the world today.