BORACAY, Philippines – Filipino-Italian mannequin Celeste Cortesi received the hearts of a number of the pickiest pageant followers in the course of the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) 2022 coronation evening on April 30. However is she able to take issues to the following degree and win the Miss Universe crown?
“You may ship her tomorrow and she or he’s ready,” MUPH Communications Director Voltaire Tayag mentioned wholeheartedly.
Attending to know Celeste
“I’ve all the time seen myself as dwelling in Italy with Italian values, Italian tradition,” the 24-year-old Cortesi mentioned as she sat down with journalists in Boracay the week after the MUPH pageant. “It’s solely once I [became] 18 years previous that I obtained very [in] exploring my Filipina facet, and I requested my mother, can I’m going to the Philippines?”
Cortesi added that it was that very journey to the Philippines that helped her come out of her consolation zone. “Once I was dwelling in Italy, on a regular basis I used to be doing the identical factor. I had a job, my household was there, I had the identical mates, identical form of mindset. However once I got here to the Philippines, I explored so many issues that have been new to me. That form of gave me the joy [to] be taught extra and discover extra,” she mentioned. “The folks that you simply that you simply meet listed below are so stunning inside and so type that you simply actually don’t need to depart – not simply because the Philippines is a ravishing place however due to the folks.“
Tayag is assured that Cortesi – who first competed within the Ms. Earth pageant again in 2018, ending within the high 8 – can proceed the nation’s profitable streak. “She’s wonderful the best way she is and we all the time make it possible for she is aware of that. At this time limit, you’re adequate,” Tayag mentioned.
“I feel her largest energy proper now could be that she’s capable of grow to be this actually genuine, relatable character,” he mentioned. “There’s little doubt about her magnificence, after all, however what folks have been responding to is her authenticity – and that’s so refreshing, actually stunning.”
Tayag added that three months of intensive coaching await Cortesi. Their trainings shall be tailor-fit to her and to the nation the place the pageant shall be held, an enormous chunk of which shall be devoted to creating certain she’s prepared for the the pageant’s Q&A.
“Even Celeste says she will get nervous – particularly within the Q&A,” he mentioned. “However in her efficiency, she was wonderful. If there’s something that may be improved, it could be presumably being a bit extra impactful in the best way she delivers. Simply make the supply a bit extra dramatic.”
Psychological well being throughout her reign
However for now, he says, they’re specializing in maintaining her psychological well being in verify. “We imagine that her general well-being also needs to be managed and brought care of,” Tayag mentioned. “So initially, we wish her to get pleasure from.”
Thus, Cortesi and her court docket – Michelle Dee (Miss Universe Philippines Tourism), Pauline Amelinckx (Miss Universe Philippines Charity), Annabelle McDonnell (1st runner-up), and Ma. Katrina Llegado (2nd runner-up) – headed again to Aqua Boracay after the pageant for some enjoyable and leisure. The resort was the place the swimsuit competitors was held; Cortesi had bagged the Ms. Aqua award from that exact tilt.
“I like this place and despite the fact that we stayed right here for [only] sooner or later, I’ve such good reminiscences,” Cortesi mentioned.
“We would like – to start with – other than the media interviews, the guestings, we wish her to simply have the ability to get pleasure from being Ms. Universe Philippines first,” Tayag mentioned. “No stress, no stress.”
Throughout their post-pageant getaway, the ladies loved the opening of the resort’s new day membership and obtained to preview couturier Francis Libiran’s new assortment – his first foray into resort put on, which shall be bought solely in his upcoming retailer on the resort.
Tayag admitted that it may be fairly tough for candidates to maintain their psychological well-being from the start of their pageant journey all the best way to the tip. “We all the time take that into consideration, even to the dismay generally of some followers that will need pasabog (a grand shock) each week,” he mentioned.
“Proper now, we’re ready for the announcement when and the place the Miss Universe pageant goes to be. From there, we’ll have the ability to set a timeframe from the place we are going to begin along with her coaching and all the opposite preparations.” This, he mentioned will embody selecting her nationwide costume, making ready for the night robes, and on the identical time engaged on her health and different expertise. “There’s all the time a proper time for the whole lot.”
A Filipina coronary heart
One of the obvious criticisms thrown at Filipino magnificence queens is that a lot of the ones despatched to compete overseas are of blended race, Cortesi amongst them. The present Miss Universe PH title holder speaks Italian and English whereas carrying an Italian final title.
For Tayag, nonetheless, Cortesi is Filipino sufficient, and questioning her id – and that of the earlier queens and delegates – could be unfair to mixed-race Filipinos all around the world.
“Her coronary heart is the one which tells her she’s Filipino,” he mentioned. “With a variety of the blended heritage delegates or queens that we’ve had, I all the time remind folks, you’re by no means requested whether or not you’re keen on your mother or your dad extra…. They’re, who they’re. Their heritage is each the international blood and the Filipino blood. In order that’s one thing that ought to be celebrated as an alternative of being regarded down upon, or as an alternative of being criticized for.
“On the finish of the day, that’s their id and that ought to be liked and revered,” he went on. “You don’t must ever select between two issues, you may be each.”
Tayag is agency that Cortesi ought to by no means compromise who she is simply to please folks. “You simply must signify who you’re, and intrinsically, you’re Filipino. So, there shouldn’t be a battle.” – Rappler.com
