Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi/ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — The 71st Miss Universe pageant officially commences today, Jan. 3, with the expected arrival of delegates in the United States, even though a handful of the contenders have already made an earlier trip there for some last-minute preparations.
The 85 delegates from all over the world are scheduled for registration and fitting from Jan. 3 to 6, and should all be present for the candidates’ orientation on Jan. 6.
The crucial closed-door interview with the selection committee will be conducted for two days, on Jan. 10 and 11. Also on Jan. 11, the delegates will participate in the on-stage preliminary competition where they will parade in swimsuits and gowns. The national costume show will also be held on the same day.
The preliminary competition and national costume show are expected to be streamed real-time in the Philippines on Jan. 12, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m, respectively.
On-camera rehearsals are scheduled in the US on Jan. 12 and 13, while the dress rehearsals will be done the morning of the coronation day on Jan. 14. The live telecast of the final competition is scheduled on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m., (Jan. 15, 9 a.m. in Manila).
The 71st Miss Universe pageant will be staged at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the US. Italian-Filipino model and realtor Celeste Cortesi is representing the Philippines in the global tilt.
This is a transition year for the popular international competition, with the acquisition of Thai media mogul Anne Jakrajutatip of Bangkok-based JKN conglomerate of the full ownership of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), that includes all three pageants Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA.
The organization unveiled a new crown worth approximately $6 million called “Force for Good” made by jeweler Mouawad, who also made the crown used from 2019 to 2021. A new sustainable sash by the US-based The Sash Company, made from post-consumer material, will also make its debut in the pageant’s 71st edition.
The Philippines currently has four Miss Universe titleholders — Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018).
Miss Universe Philippines National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee (center) with reigning queen Celeste Cortesi (left) and 2021 Miss Universe Top 5 finalist Beatrice Luigi Gomez/ARMIN P. ADINA
The country is also enjoying the longest-running active semifinal streak in the Miss Universe pageant, which was started by Venus Raj who finished fifth in 2010. Beatrice Luigi Gomez finished in the Top 5 in the 70th edition held in Israel in December 2021.
Shamcey Supsup-Lee, who finished fourth in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant, is the global tilt’s national director for the Philippines. EDV