Catriona Gray and R’Bonney Gabriel. Image: Instagram/@catriona_gray; Facebook/Miss Universe Philippines
Catriona Gray will be joined by her fellow Miss Universe titleholder R’Bonney Gabriel as hosts of the Miss Manila: Women of Worth pageant this year, the city-wide competition’s second edition since its revival in 2023.
This will be the second time in a row as host for Gray, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2018, while this is the first for Gabriel, who won the title in the 71st edition held in January 2023. The Filipino American queen has made the rounds of various beauty pageants all over the country just this year, either as host or judge.
The duo of beauty queens will share hosting chores with “Kapuso” actress Gabbi Garcia, who recently earned praise when she anchored the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant last month, where Gabriel was also one of the hosts.
Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo will also make an appearance at the 2024 Miss Manila pageant’s coronation night as one of the judges. The panel will also have GMA 7 executive Annette Gozon-Valdez, and actress and ABS-CBN executive Charo Santos-Concio.
Twenty-four ladies from the different districts in Manila were introduced as this year’s official candidates at the Swiss-Belhotel Blulane Hotel in Sta. Cruz on June 10. There, the contestants paraded in white cocktail dresses, gold swimsuits, and their Miss Manila shirts paired with blue denim jeans.
The candidates also fielded questions from members of the media who attended the event. The scribes and online content creators also cast their votes for the poll for “Darling of the Press,” with the award going to pageant veteran Charyza Esparrago from Old Sta. Mesa.
Several other Miss Universe delegates from the Philippines have also lent their expertise to prepare the ladies for the big night. Gazini Ganados from 2019 handled the makeup masterclass, while 2020 queen Rabiya Mateo facilitated the question-and-answer masterclass. Beatrice Luigi Gomez, 2021 Miss Universe Top 5 finisher, shared tips on personality development.
The 2024 Miss Manila Coronation Night will be held at the Manila Metropolitan Theater on June 22, and will be telecast on GMA on June 23 at 2 p.m.
Reigning Miss Manila Gabrielle Lantzer is now an official candidate of the 2024 Miss World Philippines pageant, while Miss Manila-Tourism Angela Okol will represent the city in the Reyna ng Aliwan tilt, the beauty contest component of the annual Aliwan Fiesta that pits the country’s different festivals against each other in a series of competitions.