Miss Universe Victoria Theilvig, continental queens laud Filipinos’ warmth
Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig (center) with the continental queens (from left) Matilda Wirtavuori, Chiddima Adetshina, Tatiana Calmell, and Chelsea Manalo. Image: Armin P. Adina/INQUIRER.net
When reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig visited the Philippines last month, she said she first noticed the warmth and humility of the people. And now that she has returned with her “continental queens,” her fellow titlists shared the same observation.
She faced members of the media in a gathering at the Glass Ballroom of Okada Manila in Parañaque City on Sunday afternoon, April 27, along with the Philippines’ own Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Americas Tatiana Calmell, Miss Universe Africa and Oceania Chidimma Adetshina, and Miss Universe Europe and Middle East Matilda Wirtavuori.
“Being here, the first thing I noticed was the people. Your community is such a warm and beloved community. And you opened your arms for me. It feels like home almost. Everyone is so humble, so respectful, and so sweet,” Theilvig said.
During her first trip to the Philippines in March, she also visited Palawan to immerse with the community of pearl farmers, and explore the farm herself. “Thank you so much to each and everyone, for giving the Filipino humility a special place in my heart,” she said.
Calmell echoed her sentiments and said, “everyone here is so nice and so kind. Thank you for all the love and the energy. At the airport, they welcomed us with flowers. I think being here with all of you, giving love to us, the Miss Universe Organization, is just incredible.”
The Peruvian beauty also gushed over Filipino cuisine. “It’s amazing. Yesterday we tried some adobo. We also have adobo, but it’s kinda different. The one in Peru is with beef, right here it is with pork. It was so tasty and so good,” she shared.
Adetshina revealed, “Chelsea has given us a feel of what the Philippines might be like. And from the moment we arrived, from the flowers to the welcoming, we’re definitely going to love the Philippines.”
The Nigerian beauty also shared that she has heard of Palawan, and she is excited to visit the “Philippines’ last frontier” with her Miss Universe sisters.
But another thing that Wirtavuori is looking forward to is the Miss Universe Philippines competition. “Last year I was following the pageant as a fan girl myself. So now, it’s surreal to be here to experience it, to get to be a guest at the finals of the coronation,” she said.
Manalo said she and her Miss Universe sisters have a packed schedule while in the country. “Busy is good. But I want them, most especially, to enjoy their time,” said the Bulakenya.
The four foreign beauties will get to see the reigning Filipino queen host the preliminary competition of the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant on Monday evening, April 28, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.
On Tuesday afternoon, April 29, a parade is scheduled for Theilvig, Manalo, Calmell, Adetshina and Wirtavuori, but the organizers have not released the route and the places that it will cover.
The five ladies will also be the special guests at the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines Charity Gala Night on Wednesday evening, Aprill 30, at Okada Manila, which will be held back-to-back with the national pageant’s national costume presentation.
The Miss Universe Philippines Organization has tapped Republic Asia founder and CEO Bran Reluao to chair the charity gala night, with Caritas Manila and Hope for Change as the beneficiaries of the event’s proceeds.
Theilvig and her continental queens will also grace the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines coronation show at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Friday evening, May 2.
Miss Universe VP for Global Partnerships Olivia Quido-Co said the five ladies will visit Europe next, but did not yet disclose which country will host them. Theilvig and her pageant sisters had just come from Thailand before flying to the Philippines.
