5 Times We Felt Pinoy Pride at the 71st Miss Universe

Everybody knows that the Philippines is a global beauty pageant powerhouse. After Gloria Diaz won Miss Universe in 1969, we started winning crowns left and right, amassing a total of 15 victories across the Big Four pageants (four Miss Earth, six Miss International, one Miss World, and four Miss Universe). 

The world has seen what the Philippines can do. Now, international contestants are turning to Filipinos for their wins. We may not have won the Miss U crown this year, but Filipino creativity and talent was still centerstage in the 71st Miss Universe. Ahead, we’ve listed all the proof that Pinoys dominate the Miss Universe scene in more ways than just winning the crown. 

LOOK: Pinoy’s Are Dominating the 71st Miss Universe

1. Celeste Cortesi’s designers

It comes as no surprise that Celeste Cortesi’s team is Filipino. Both Celeste’s national costume and evening gown were created by Los Angeles-based Filipino designer, Oliver Tolentino. Fun fact: it only took them four days to put together the Darna-inspired costume. The golden headdress that she wore with her national costume was created by metalwork accessories designer Jerome Navarro. 

2. Miss Universe Bahrain’s all-Filipino team

Miss Universe Bahrain, Evlin Khalifa, revealed earlier that her team is all Filipinos. She even took to Instagram to share an open letter of gratitude to her all-Filipino team, saying “this post is dedicated to my undying gratitude to my Filipino Team, without them, I can never call myself a queen.” 

3. Miss Universe 2022 is half-Pinoy  

ICYDK reigning Miss Universe, R'Bonney Gabriel, is Filipino-American. She was born to a Filipino father and an American mother. And although she represents the United States she still acknowledges her Pinoy heritage. 

Aside from being a beauty queen, she also happens to be a fashion designer. She won the title of Miss USA wearing gowns that she made herself. A quick look on her Instagram and you’ll find that she likes to incorporate traditional Filipino designs to her modern-day creations. 

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

4. All of the Filipino-made evening gowns during the preliminary stages

Aside from Celeste, seven other pageant hopefuls also had their evening gowns designed by Filipinos. Both Miss USA and Miss Cambodia had their designs produced by Filipino designer, Rian Fernandez.

For Miss Universe Bahrain, her bedazzled gown was fashioned by Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One Amato.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Both Miss Malta and Miss Great Britain’s gowns were crafted by Laguna-based designer, Louis Pangilinan (and it’s not his first time dressing the queens of these two nations either). 

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The Capiz-born fashion designer, Carl Andrada, who is now based in Los Angeles, designed the gowns for Miss Universe Mauritius and Seychelles. He even sewed the crystals (there were thousands) on Miss Universe Seychelles Gabriella Gonthier’s gown by hand. 

Miss Universe Spain Alicia Faubel wore creations by Leo Almodal during the evening gown event and by San Juan City-based designer Ehrran Montoya for her national costume.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

5. All the international delegates who trained with Filipino coaches

Becoming Miss Universe comes with a lot of training. The fact that pageant hopefuls went all the way to the Philippines for extensive training goes to show that the we really hold some of the best pageant coaches in the industry. Miss Universe Thailand, Anna Sueangam-iam, was spotted training with RL Lacanienta, who has coached the likes of Miss Supranational Thailand Anntonia Porsild. 

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Miss Universe Cambodia Manita Hang and Miss Universe Indonesia Laksmi Shari De Neefe Suardana were also reportedly training under the Kagandahang Flores pageant camp. They're known for successfully producing international titleholders such as Miss International 2017 Kevin Lilliana of Indonesia, and Miss Earth 2018 Nguyá»…n Phuong Khánh of Vietnam.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Both Miss Universe Bahrain and Miss Universe Spain visited the Philippines for training as well. Below is a photo of Miss Universe Bahrain with Filipino socialite and National Director of Miss Universe UAE, Josh Yugen, during their trip to the Philippines. 

 

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

 

Oh, and ICYDK, Miss Universe Spain speaks Filipino. Here's a video of her speaking fluently while buying kwek-kwek. The video has been circulating on the internet and has drawn the attention of many Pinoys. Apparently she lived in the Philippines for a while during her earlier modelling stints, so she picked up a couple words.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alicia Faubel (@alicia.faubel)

Related Stories from Preview.ph

Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!