Miss Universe Philippines 2023 candidates. Image: Instagram/@themissuniverseph
Many pageant fans were left astounded when the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) organization disregarded the Top 10 finalists and brought back the Top 18 due to undisclosed “technical issues.”
At around 9:07 pm, the Top 10 finalists were revealed as they were said to compete in the pageant’s evening gown competition. They were composed of the following candidates:
- Michelle Dee (Makati)
- Pauline Amelinckx (Bohol)
- Klyza Castro (Davao Oriental)
- Krishnah Gravidez (Baguio)
- CJ Opiaza (Zambales)
- Jan Marie Borbon (Bacolod)
- Jannarie Zarzoso (Agusan Del Norte)
- Rein Carrascal (Sorsogon)
- Airissh Ramos (Eastern Samar)
- Samantha Panlilio (Cavite)
After a lengthy commercial break, host Xian Lim announced at around 9:50 pm that the MUPh backtracked and brought back the Top 18 finalists to compete in evening gown following technical difficulties.
The Kapuso star also added that the organization decided to manually count the results instead, which were initially tabulated by multidisciplinary professional services firm SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co.
JUST IN: Host Xian Lim announces that the Top 18 candidates will compete at the #MissUniversePhilippines2023 evening gown competition following “technical difficulties.”
This means the Top 5 will be chosen out of 18 candidates. | 📸: ABS-CBN Entertainment/YT via @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/FNudWClTQY
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2023
Following the sudden announcement, the following candidates proceeded to the evening gown round before they were trimmed down to the final five.
- Jannarie Zarzoso (Agusan Del Norte)
- Pauline Amelinckx (Bohol)
- Angelique Manto (Pampanga)
- Airissh Ramos (Eastern Samar)
- Michelle Dee (Makati)
- Clare Dacanay (Parañaque)
- Christiana Afia Yeboah (Tiaong, Quezon)
- Rein Carrascal (Sorsogon)
- Iman Franchesca Cristal (Mandaluyong)
- Emmanuelle Fabienne Camcam (Cebu Province)
- Jan Marie Bordon (Bacolod)
- Christine Joyce Salcedo (Marinduque)
- CJ Opiaza (Zambales)
- Samantha Panlilio (Cavite)
- Klyza Castro (Davao Oriental)
- Krishnah Gravidez (Baguio)
- Kimberlyn Jane Acob (Isabela)
- Princess Anne Marcos (Bulacan)
The sudden backtracking of the national pageant, however, drew flak from fans on social media, with some calling out the organizers for the lack of clarification on how the candidates were chosen.
One @seangines_ said, “And we need a statement about dun sa technical difficulties [niyong] eme. From top 18 to top 10 and top 18 again.”
And we need a statement about dun sa technical difficulties nyong eme. From top 18 to top 10 and top 18 again. Lol #MissUniversePhilippines2023
— ; (@seangines_) May 13, 2023
Another @mykonos3333 speculated that there was a supposed “cooking show” during the pageant.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 prod still sucks tho, the camera angles and the announcement of top 10 then back to top 18, um what? fishy haha smells like a cooking show, no credibility eversince!
— M. (@mykonos3333) May 13, 2023
Twitter user @justrum_xx, meanwhile, was confused with the sudden change of results.
From Top 18 to Top 10. Tapos technical issues. Tapos manual computation. Tapos back to Top 18, compete sa Evening Gown, then Top 5 agad???
HUH???#MissUniversePhilippines2023 pic.twitter.com/pPXpAQJeIL
— rum (@justrum_xx) May 13, 2023
One @ralfee_potter stressed he doesn’t “believe” the technical issue “alibi.”
Ito pa:
1. I don’t believe about the technical issue alibi. This makes the future results questionable.
2. Ano’ng meron sa segment na nagbabasa si Shamcey at Romualdez na ‘to? Oral audience reading contest ba ‘to? Corny & annoying tbh. #MissUniversePhilippines2023— Ralph Says #StopLumadKilling (@ralfee_potter) May 13, 2023
On the other hand, Twitter user @karlatootie called out SGV for the mix-up.
DISREGARDED ANG TOP 10 ANNOUNCEMENT? DUE TO TECHNICAL ISSUE?
SGV PUMAYAG KAYO? 😂
Miss Universe Philippines 2023#MissUniversePhilippines2023
— Karla Jane (@karlatootie) May 13, 2023
After a four-hour event, Makati’s Michelle Dee emerged the winner of the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines pageant. She was considered as one of the frontrunners prior to the coronation night.
Meanwhile, Bohol’s Pauline Amelinckx was named as Miss Supranational Philippines 2023 while Baguio’s Krishnah Gravidez was crowned as Miss Charm Philippines 2023.EDV