LIST: Miss Universe Philippines 2023 standouts aside from pageant veterans

Evangeline Fuentes used her past as motivation to make the country a more beautiful place to live in.

The youngest of her nine siblings, Evangeline grew up in a landfill site in Pangasinan, where she also worked as a farmer and vendor to help her family survive tough times. Her brothers and sisters decided to sacrifice their education and join forces to help her finish her studies and complete her accounting degree. 

After her graduation, she wasted no time. The beauty queen founded the Smile Program in 2019, with an aim to “give love, bring smiles and hope for the indigent children in sanitary landfills in the province of Pangasinan and other communities.” She eventually changed its name to Kalakal Charity, which, to this day, has over 180 beneficiaries.

Kali Huff — beauty queen mentor 

Kali Huff is the head Q&A and interview trainer of Aces and Queens, which has produced beauty queens like Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa. Now, she’s using her knowledge and expertise on herself as she vies for the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 crown. 

“My goal will always be to encourage my fellow Filipino to realize that we all have a platform; no matter your background, age, gender, or degree, you have a point of view that can be transformational and a voice that is always valid,” she wrote in an Instagram post. 

“I hope to share my new platform with people who feel that their voices have been silenced, or that they are not enough, and empower them to share their story with the Universe,” she added. 

Angelique Manto — former UAAP courtside reporter

Angelique Manto became a hot topic on social media when she submitted her application for the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 pageant.

In an Instagram post, the former UAAP courtside reporter for the University of Santo Tomas shared that she took this leap on the same day she had her “biggest heartbreak.” 

"Today feels like a full circle moment for me—my last memory with my dad was him carrying me on his wheelchair as I won Miss Pampanga back in 2014. Eight years ago, on Feb. 13th, my dad took his last breath. I was seconds too late from catching the bus that would've brought me back home in his arms—I missed the opportunity to bid my last goodbye to him, it has been my biggest regret since," she opened up. 

“So when you ask me how important today is—it means the universe to me. It's as if this was all made to happen today. That I get to finally take the leap towards my dream, our dream, on the day I will always remember my papa. An opportunity I dare not waste, I will not regret,” she added. 

Angelique is famous for her “Ibalik ang korona sa España” speech during a UAAP game. Will she be able to say “Ibalik ang korona sa Pilipinas” as Miss Universe Philippines 2023?

Beauty queen moms 

The Miss Universe Philippines had a change in the screening process when they announced the opening of applications in November. Unlike in the past when interested candidates had to be females who have never been married or pregnant, the organization started accepting women regardless of their civil status. 

For the first time ever, the MUPh features moms in their official list of candidates, including Eileen Gonzales, Clare Dacanay, and Joemay-An Leo.

The Miss Universe Philippines 2023 titleholder will be the successor of Celeste Cortesi, who represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2022 tilt in January. The winner of the upcoming pageant will compete at the 72^nd Miss Universe, which will take place in El Salvador in late 2023.