I just spent a #UniquelyBeautiful morning with Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi and her court – all courtesy of PLDT Home. Michelle Dee, Pauline Amelinckx, Annabelle McDonnell and Katrina Llegado joined the two-hour virtual presscon where each one of them shared special memories, learnings and friendships built all throughout the competition.
The star of the Presscon was definitely Miss PLDT Home herself – Celeste – who answered questions left and right like a pro. She clearly has her alert mind and grateful heart all in their proper places. Serious question or light, she has a ready reply that sounded spontaneous and sincere. Her lines of communication are crystal clear. She even added her learnings from Miss Philippines Earth. She admitted to being uninitiated about our national pageants then. And from her mistakes, she was able to mold a much better representation of herself in Miss Universe Philippines.
On a side note, I love her answer to my question about what poem will her Italian dad recite to her in case he was around last April 30. She said that a short one about the meaning of her name will be the main message. Celeste means “heaven” and that is what the father considers her as – a heaven-sent blessing.
Our five Queens in Aqua Boracay, from where they attended the virtual presscon (Photo credit: Voltaire Tayag)
All in all, this is a group of winners with sisterhood firmly built in. I wish all of them the best in their reigns, especially our dear Celeste who will soon start her higher trainings and preparations for the 71st edition of Miss Universe, while giving some time to her advocacy for indigenous people as well.
Thank you so much to my PLDT Home Family for making me part of their MUPH tie-up coverage for the third year in a row!
#MissUniversePhilippines2022
#BeAStrongerYou
#MUPH2022
#PoweredByPLDTHome
normannorman.com 
Those who should really join Bb for the next step in their pageant journey and will most likely place high and get a crown:
>Ma. Katrina Llegado (Taguig) she should be Bb International and will zoom to the MI crown easily !
>Misamis (Annabelle) she reminds me of Pamela Bianca Manalo
>Cebu City (Chantal) she reminds me of Rachel Peters or Olive Thomas
>Cenu Province (Piczon) she reminds me of Zorayda Andam
*Palawan, Baguio, Iloilo City, Laguna should re-up & re-train for another MUP attempt
Pauline (Bohol) , the girl next door beauty, pleasant to hear host voice and to look at pleasant pretty face … I believe should co-host MUP next year together with Pia … Pia & Pauline , P&P … perfection!
Jowa pala ni Celeste si Matthew Custodio!
Puede ring pang Mister World yung boylet na’yon!
Madalas din karay-karay ni Katarina Rodriguez before kaya akala ko sila magkakatuluyan!
People here in the States have a comical proverbial saying of why black and Asian people, in general, stay younger looking longer; “Black don’t crack and Asian don’t raisin!!”
Yesiree.
I agree. In a couple of years and if she plays her cards right Ananelle will be Universe ready. What a diamond in the making.
Pauline’s facial features are beautiful. Now, I get the hype.
Michelle and Katrina are sporting their beautiful natural skin color many North Americans go to tanning salons. Beautiful.
Celeste has that Italian olive skin color that defines beauty and health wellness. Gorgeous!
Annabelle, love, when doing a photo shoot in a swimsuit photo setting please enjoy a tanning salon for a couple of days. I’m sorry. That pale white skin looks very unattractive in swimwear and an outdoor setting. Evening gown, yes. Swimsuit, no.
My opinion folks.
Annabelle McDonnell , Miss Universe 2024!
Pls get some styling pointers from the impeccable Pia !
I love Anabelles story.. No wonder they chose her over Julia and the others…
Annabelle McDonnell , Miss Universe 2024-5!
Annabelle’s skin is flawless but was not recognized to receive such award which was given to the other girl.
Tito Norm, so is there also an official residence for the winners this year?
I should like to think so.
I agree. In a couple of years and if she plays her cards right Ananelle will be Universe ready. What a diamond in the making.
Pauline’s facial features are beautiful. Now, I get the hype.
Michelle and Katrina are sporting their beautiful natural skin color many North Americans go to tanning salons. Beautiful.
Celeste has that Italian olive skin color that defines beauty and health wellness. Gorgeous!
Annabelle, love, when doing a photo shoot in a swimsuit photo setting please enjoy a tanning salon for a couple of days. I’m sorry. That pale white skin looks very unattractive in swimwear and an outdoor setting. Evening gown, yes. Swimsuit, no.
My opinion folks.
Wow! This must be a very engaging virtual press conference.
Yes, it was!
Can’t wait to hear ‘em!