Stacey Gabriel. Image: Dennis Sulit via Instagram/@staceygabriel
Weeks after Stacey Gabriel “respectfully denied” another crown at the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant, many of her fans are still clamoring for her to give the pageant — and her dream for a shot at the Miss Universe crown — another try.
On her Instagram post on May 29, Gabriel teased her fans about returning to the MUPH stage next year when she thanked her glam team for helping her through the pageant.
“Ang sarap makipagbardagulan kung kayo ang kasangga… To my creative collaborators turned family – @davequiambao_ @nellyseboy @dennisulit – THANK YOU for pouring your passion, creativity, and love into our shared dream. Ano, isa pa daw – kaya pa ba ng powers niyo?” she captioned her post.
Gabriel, who represented Cainta, earlier made another post on Instagram explaining her decision to remain as the Miss Universe Philippines first runner-up, and decline one of the four other crowns up for grabs during the coronation night on May 22.
“Because of you, I feel the weight of the world being lifted as all of you raise me to higher ground,” she said. “It is because of your reminder that I know that my decision to respectfully decline another crown and to remain your Miss Universe Philippines 1st Runner-Up [which’ is aligned with His divine purpose.”
In that post, Gabriel said her job as a beauty queen allows her to be surrounded by many opportunities, while noting how “incredibly rare” it is, while pointing out that she would use the platform for good.
“To not look ahead to my next crown, but rather, to focus on using this prestigious platform to further the work I have dedicated my life to is a tremendous blessing in and of itself,” she said. “I am honored to be a part of this court and to support my glorious sister @manalochelsea as she shows the Universe what Filipina women are capable of.”
The Cainta beauty queen likewise extended her support to Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan, who brought home theMiss Universe Philippines crown that night.
Gabriel’s decision earned the support of her fellow beauty queens in the comments, such as Manalo, Ahtisa Manalo, MJ Lastimosa, Nicole Cordoves, Hannah Arnold, Kali Huff, and Christi McGarry.
However, her fans are clamoring for her to give MUPH another go, even cooking up a new hashtag for her return: #2025TACEY .
Comments on Stacey Gabriel’s Instagram post.
Aside from Gabriel, it was apparent that fourth runner-up Christi McGarry also declined a crown as she wasn’t seen in the national tilt’s second crowning ceremony.
The first runner-up and fellow Top 5 finalists will be considered for crowns under The Miss Philippines, the sister pageant of Miss Universe Philippines, based on past editions.
The 2024 pageant crowned Baguio’s Tarah Valencia as Miss Supranational Philippines, Quezon Province’s Ahtisa Manalo as Miss Cosmo Philippines, Pampanga’s Cyrille Payumo as Miss Charm Philippines, and Iloilo City’s Alexie Brooks as Miss Eco International Philippines.
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