Christi McGarry on being Pia Wurtzbach’s ‘anointed one’

Miss Universe Philippines-Taguig Christi Lynn McGarry. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina

When the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) announced last year that it is removing the maximum age restriction, following the acceptance of married women and mothers to the contest, 2015 winner Pia Wurtzbach declared Christi McGarry as one of the ladies she would want to see join again.

And now her 2015 Binibining Pilipinas batchmate has given in to the call and is considered one of the strongest contenders for the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines title. The TV host, model and DJ, now 34 years old, is representing the “probinsyudad” of Taguig City in the annual competition.

She said Wurtzbach’s “endorsement” is “flattering” and she has been grateful for “the support, the advice, and for believing in me to fill in such amazing and big shoes that she’s already provided us as an icon and an idol in the industry,” McGarry told INQUIRER.NET at the sidelines of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant’s signing event with partner Jell Life held at the ballroom of Hilton Manila in Pasay City on Thursday, March 14.

McGarry joined the rest of her fellow Miss Universe Philippines delegates at the event, which was also attended by the pageant organization’s officers Jonas Gaffud and Voltaire Tayag, and BRM Centers President Crystal Jacinto.

The statuesque pageant veteran has a wealth of pageant experience under her belt, having started joining competitions as a teenager in the United States’ East Coast. But she admits there is still a little bit of pressure, with her last contest held nine years ago at the 2015 Miss Intercontinental tilt where she finished second.

“But more than anything, as a friend, I just want to make [Wurtzbach], my team, proud. But more than them, I just want to make the entire Philippines proud. So for her to believe in me means the universe,” McGarry said.

She shared that she knew deep inside that she still wanted to give pageantry another go, and said she might consider joining again if the age limit would be lifted. And no other sign has been more obvious for her than MUO’s decision to accept grown women of all ages.

Another factor that made her say “yes” to pageantry again was the clamor for her to gice it another shot when the MUO’s new age rule came out. “Having my friends, and my team, and my family, and a lot of the fans come out and show their vocal and very public support, it really meant the world to me to know that I actually had the capabilities to do it, and in a massive support system behind me. So it was definitely encouraging and, definitely, that one last and final push that I needed to announce my joining and candidacy,” McGarry shared.

She said she and Wurtzbach spoke about it a few times. They both discussed that she will really grab the opportunity “if the age restriction was lifted.” And it was as if the universe has heeded her prayer, and she was left with no choice but to do what she said she would. “I had to take that massive leap of faith and jump. And this is a ‘now-or-never’ situation for me,” McGarry said.

“It’s the only and last time I will join, so hopefully the stars aligned. It feels like it will. So, I’m just praying for that. It was definitely calling, the universe has definitely given me a sign and a call this year,” she continued.

McGarry is just one of the seasoned contenders in this year’s competition who came from the Bb. Pilipinas stable. Also with her as official delegates of the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant are 2018 Miss International first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo, 2014 Miss Intercontinental second runner-up Kris Tiffany Janson, 2019 Miss Tourism International Cyrille Payumo, 2022 Miss Supermodel Worldwide Alexandra Mae Rosales, and 2022 Bb. Pilipinas second runner-up Stacey Daniella Gabriel.