Pasay, Makati, Bohol bets picked as Miss Universe PH frontrunners by global pageant observers

By: Dana Cruz - 2 years ago

(From left) Celeste Cortesi, Michelle Dee and Pauline Amelinckx (Image: Instagram/@celeste_cortesi, @michelledee, @paulineamelinckx)

Miss Universe Philippines candidates Celeste Cortesi, Michelle Dee and Pauline Amelinckx have emerged as the top picks for holder of the crown in this year’s pageant, based on the frontrunner lists of international publications.

Established beauty pageant platform Missosology and online pageant magazine Sash Factor have announced their top candidates for the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 crown.

Missosology named Cortesi of Pasay as its No. 1 pick for the title, followed by Dee of Makati and Amelinckx of Bohol in the second and third places, respectively. The platform revealed this via its page yesterday, April 29.

It stated that Cortesi, Dee and Amelinckx initially had a three-way tie for the No. 1 spot, but after “a lot of back-and-forth discussions,” Cortesi stood out as the “overall package” for the title.

“[When] it comes to overall package, Celeste Cortesi seems to have checked all the boxes,” it said. “She’s elegant, statuesque, smart and confident. She’s – without a doubt – a Miss Universe material. Her beauty is ethereal and she will become a head-turner in the international competition.”

Missosology then argued that though Dee won the most special awards during the preliminaries, her closed-door interview performance “lacks energy” and “could use a bit of oomph.” It also pointed out Amelinckx’s “undeniable” stage presence.

Annabelle McDonnell of Misamis Oriental and Ma. Katrina Llegado of Taguig completed Missosology’s top 5, taking the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

Following are Missosology’s 12 “final hot picks”:

Celeste Cortesi (Pasay)
Michelle Dee (Makati)
Pauline Amelinckx (Bohol)
Annabelle McDonnell (Misamis Oriental)
Ma. Katrina Llegado (Taguig)
Chantel Elise Legaspi Schmidt (Cebu City)
Ivylou Corpuz Borbon (Pangasinan)
Lou Dominique Piczon (Cebu Province)
Angelica Lopez (Palawan)
Ghenesis Latugat (Baguio)
Jewel Alexandria Palacat (Ilocos Sur)
Jedidah Korinihona (Davao del Sur)

Meanwhile, Sash Factor also has Cortesi, Dee and Amelinckx in its top three, as seen on its Facebook page, also yesterday.

McDonnell placed in its top five, this time in the No. 5 spot, following Cebu Province’s Lou Dominique Piczon who placed fourth.

Here are Sash Factor’s 16 top picks:

Celeste Cortesi (Pasay)
Michelle Dee (Makati)
Pauline Amelinckx (Bohol)
Lou Dominique Piczon (Cebu Province)
Annabelle McDonnell (Misamis Oriental)
Ma. Katrina Llegado (Taguig)
Chantel Elise Legaspi Schmidt (Cebu City)
Ivylou Corpuz Borbon (Pangasinan)
Ghenesis Latugat (Baguio)
Julia Calleja Saubier (Albay)
Jeanne Nicci Orcena (Davao del Norte)
Jewel Alexandria Palacat (Ilocos Sur)
Vanessa Ann Kai’hilani Caro (Iloilo Province)
Angelica Lopez (Palawan)
Isabel Luche (Mandaue)
Sonja Jeyn Tanyag (Laguna)

So far, Cortesi made it to the top 3 for the headshot and swimsuit challenges. She also won the pageant’s casting video challenge. Dee and Amelickx also had wins in online challenges.

Dee was part of the top three in the casting video and swimsuit challenges, and Amelinckx won the introduction video challenge.

Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez is set to pass her crown to her successor later today, April 30, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu will be coming to the pageant as special guest. Her fellow Miss Universe titleholders Pia Wurtzbach, Iris Mitternaere and Demi-Leigh Tebow will also be appearing as hosts of the coronation night. /ra

LIST: Miss Universe Philippines names top 32 finalists