Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray in these photos taken from Instagram/piawurtzbach, Facebook/TheMissUniversePH, and Instagram/catriona_gray
By Jeline Malasig - January 17, 2023 - 12:58 PM
Former and current beauty queens shared messages of support to Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi after failing to secure a placement in the pageant’s 71st edition.
The 25-year-old Pasay beauty was bested by American bet R’Bonney Gabriel, a half-Filipina, in the prestigious beauty pageant on Sunday.
Celeste expressed her gratitude to her Filipino fans who supported her Miss Universe 2022 bid following her exit.
“Hey, guys! Thank you so much for your love and support. I truly, truly love you and I’m so grateful,” she said in a video, blowing a kiss to the viewers.
Celeste also shared a book excerpt about happiness on her Instagram after failing to secure the crown. It talked about how one’s happiness shouldn’t depend on others.
Meanwhile, some former and current pageant titleholders took to social media to offer her words of comfort following her Miss Universe exit.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who was also a backstage host for the pageant’s 71st edition, posted an Instagram Story featuring Celeste’s picture with the following words:
“Thank you for doing your best for the Philippines (Philippine flag emoji) You handled the pressure of carrying our flag so well! We’re so proud, mabuhay ka! (heart emoji)”
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach shared a tweet on her account, which reads:
“We know you gave it your all, Celeste. We are very proud of you (heart and Philippine flag emojis”
Miss Universe 2021 Top 5 finalist Beatrice Luigi Gomez shared an Instagram Story featuring pictures of her and Celeste with the text:
“We are so proud of you! You worked hard and represented us well. We love you, Queen @celeste_cortesi (heart emoji)”
Miss Universe Philippines Charity 2022 Pauline Amelinckx posted an Instagram picture of them during the coronation of the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 last May.
Celeste, who represented Pasay, was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2022.
Pauline wrote the following which accompanied the post:
“We have seen you work, hustle, fight and GROW as you prepared to raise our flag. As I’ve told you before, you have my admiration for all your dedication in always becoming better. Always proud of you. You are a CELESTIAL QUEEN (crown emoji”
Binibining Pilipinas 2022 1st runner-up Herlene Nicole Budol also shared words of support for her fellow beauty queen on Facebook.
“Celeste, maganda ka pa din. We love you (kissing emoji) Ako nga nabudol e”
Herlene referenced her unpleasant experiences in her bid to secure a crown at the Miss Planet International last November, where she has since withdrawn “due to uncertainties by the organizers.”
The Miss Universe Philippines Organization national director, who was also crowned as Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up, also lauded Celeste for “bravely” raising the Philippine flag.
Shamcey shared a picture of her with the Philippine bet on Instagram and accompanied it with the following caption:
“You fought bravely to raise the Filipino flag on that stage and what truly matters is that you gave it your all and made your country proud. (Philippine flag emoji)”
“This experience is truly a lesson in humility. It is a way to remind all of us to stay grounded for we are all created equal.”
“The new era of Miss Universe cemented its thrust on breaking stereotypes and embracing diversity. Apart from the glitz and glamour, we are again reminded of the true essence of this platform.”
“Our work continues, to be a venue for women to find a purpose larger than themselves and to use their collective voices to create an unstoppable force for GOOD.”
