PH’s Maria Gigante thwarts Venezuela’s back-to-back dream in Universal Woman

Newly crowned Universal Woman Maria Gigante from the Philippines (center) poses with her court, composed of (from left) Lisandra Chirinos, Brianna Mai, Tavera Pena Chabellie and Elisa Myshyne. Image: Facebook/Universal Woman

Filipino contender Maria Gigante snagged the Universal Woman title in ceremonies staged in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Friday, March 22, edging out Venezuelan delegate Lisanda Chirinos who settled for the first runner-up spot.

The Cebuana host and entrepreneur bested 43 other aspirants to inherit the crown from last year’s winner Valentina Sanchez, who also happens to be from Venezuela. Gigante’s victory has essentially thwarted the South American country’s attempt at scoring back-to-back victories in the young competition.

The contest, whose tagline is “We are the new era of beauty,” is open to women between 25 and 45 years old, with no restrictions on height, weight and marital status. Even mothers can take part in the international pageant. The first edition was held last year in the United Arab Emirates.

Gigante also received the Universal Woman Sympathy title during the preliminary competition, and her social project was among the Top 5 chosen by the selection committee. She amassed the most votes in the online poll that earned for her the Universal Woman Social Media award during the final show.

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Three more ladies were proclaimed as part of Gigante’s court in Cambodia—second runner-up Elisa Myshyne from France, third runner-up Brianna Mai from the host country, and fourth runner-up Tavera Pena Chabelli from the Dominican Republic.

Gigante is a veteran of national competitions, having participated in both the Binibining Pilipinas and Miss World Philippines pageants. She was also crowned as Bb. Cebu-Charity in the first-ever Bb. Cebu contest held in 2017.

She was appointed as Universal Woman Philippines 2024 by talent manager and entrepreneur Arnold Vegafria, the man behind ALV Pageant Circle that mounts the annual Miss World Philippines pageant that Gigante joined in 2022.

Sanchez witnessed Gigante receive her appointment in an event held at Kingsford Hotel in Parañaque City on Feb. 27. The Venezuelan beauty was accompanied by Universal Woman official Alexander Gonzalez in her trip to Manila.

During her reign, Gigante is expected to work on charitable projects with groups that the Universal Woman organization has chosen to partner with.