Celeste Cortesi and her boyfriend Mathew Custodio. Image: screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network, Instagram/@mathewcustodio
Celeste Cortesi has nothing but appreciation for her boyfriend Mathew Custodio, who she said was one of the reasons she was able to overcome the “very difficult time” after her Miss Universe journey.
The beauty queen looked back at her stint in the pageant in an interview with Boy Abunda on Thursday, Feb. 23, admitting she thought hard work was all it would take to secure the crown. Despite falling short of winning the title, Cortesi stressed that she’s proud because she knows that she and her team gave their all.
“Sobrang hirap para sa akin kasi of course, mataas ang (It was very hard for me because there were high) expectations from others and also from me,” she said. “You know, I really thought that I got this—all I have to do is to work very hard and I will get it. But you know, at the end of the day, we also need to understand that the judges were looking for something else and it is fine.”
“At the end of the day, masaya ako sa mga winners (I’m happy with the winners). I’m proud of them and I think they really deserve their position,” she noted.
Cortesi expressed gratitude for her support system including her family, friends and Custodio who never left her side all throughout the competition and afterwards.
“Of course I went through a very difficult time, the weeks to follow, but I know in my heart that the respect, the love and support that I gained from the Filipino fans is really more valuable than the Miss Universe crown,” she told Abunda. “And I really, really know that ginawa ko ang lahat para sa bansa (I did everything I could for the country).”
She then spoke about her relationship with Custodio whom she admired for giving the support she needed at the time.
“Matthew was very supportive. He came with me to the US… and he was there all the way,” she said. “I think what’s really beautiful about our relationship is the fact that we give each other space and understanding. We really understand each other’s needs and he knew that Miss Universe was very important to me.”
According to the beauty queen, Custodio always finds a way to make her feel his presence and support in everything she does. Cortesi admitted that they still fight over “stupid things,” but they know their boundaries and they always opt to communicate with each other.
“I feel very lucky because sobrang supportive [niya] (he’s very supportive)… He understands what I need; he understands what’s really important to me,” she spoke of her boyfriend. “I was just very lucky to find a guy that was as supportive as him.”
“Of course, sometimes there are misunderstandings, but we always talk about it. I think that communication is very important in a relationship and that’s what we have, and that’s why we lasted for so long,” she continued.
Aside from her pageant stint and relationship with Custodio, the beauty queen also talked about Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel and the “unfair” treatment the titleholder receives from some pageant fans.
“I think it’s really unfair. At the end of the day, people will always try to blame someone, but we need to be respectful enough to recognize her hard work and the fact that she’s now Miss Universe and she deserves it,” Cortesi stated. “I’m happy for her.”
At the latter part of the interview, Cortesi, who earlier had a cameo role in the finale of “Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series,” also expressed interest in entering the showbiz industry. She added that she is open to exploring new things and that she is improving her skills in speaking the Filipino language. /ra