Stacey Gabriel wins big in Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Boracay event

Stacey Gabriel (right) with Aqua Boracay Marketing Director Christopher Co/MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PHOTO

Pageant veteran Stacey Daniela Gabriel reaped three accolades at the Swimsuit Challenge event of the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant held in Boracay in Aklan on April 20. The delegate from Cainta, Rizal, was proclaimed the first-ever Miss We Sportz at the end of the show held at the poolside of the resort on the island’s Bolabog beach front, dubbed “the better side of Boracay.”

Gabriel, who was second runner-up in the 2022 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, was also one of the eight “Aqua Angels,” who all automatically joined the roster of 20 “Arete Tagaytay Goddesses,” also proclaimed in the same evening.

Joining Gabriel in the list of Aqua Angels are her fellow Bb. Pilipinas alumnae, 2015 Miss Intercontinental first runner-up Christi Lynn McGarry from Taguig City and 2018 Miss International first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo from Quezon Province. Bacoor’s Victoria Velasquez Vincent, who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines-Charity in 2021, was also in the mix.

Popular bets completed the group—national athlete Alexie Mae Brooks from Iloilo City, professional musician Dia Mate from Cavite, reality TV star Kayla Carter from the Filipino community in Northern California, and Tarah Valencia from Baguio City.

‘Aqua Angles’ (from left) Stacey Gabriel, Victoria Vincent, Tarah Valencia, Kayla Carter, Christi McGarry, Alexie Brooks, Ahtisa Manalo, and Dia Mate/MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PHOTO

Seasoned contenders were among the 12 ladies who joined the eight “angels” in the list of 20 “goddesses.” They were 2014 Miss Intercontinental second runner-up Kris Tiffany Janson from Cebu, 2019 Miss Tourism International Cyrille Payumo, 2022 Miss Supermodel Worldwide Alexandra Mae Rosales, 2010 Bb. Pilipinas candidate Selena Antonio-Reyes from Pasig City, and 2021 Miss Philippines Earth contestant Anita Rose Gomez from Zambales.

Joining them were overseas-based delegates Kymberlee Street from Australia, Mary Joy Yasol from Miami, and Christina Chalk from the United Kingdom. Completing the roster were Daniella Villar from Cabanatuan City, Rethiana Rosa from Camiguin, Eunice Deza from San Pablo City, and Mary Josephine Paaske from Talisay City.

The Swimsuit Challenge kicks off the online voting stage of the competition where fans may choose their favorite delegates on the Miss Universe Philippines mobile app. The winners of each challenge will automatically advance to the semifinal round during the coronation show at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on May 22.

Fifty-three delegates from around the country and overseas Filipino communities are competing in the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, and will vie to succeed reigning queen Michelle Marquez Dee who was also proclaimed as Miss Aqua Boracay in last year’s competition.

The winner will represent the Philippines in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico later this year, and try to give the country its fifth win in the international competition.