LIVE UPDATES: Miss Universe Philippines 2023 coronation night

Makati bet Michelle Dee succeeded Celeste Cortesi as the new Miss Universe Philippines. She is set to raise the country's flag at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant to be held in El Salvador.

The remaining queens Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol and Krishnah Marie Gravidez of Baguio will be crowned separately. Their titles are yet to be revealed.

Meanwhile, Miss Zambales Christine Opiaza is named the first Runner-up, and Miss Pampanga Angelique Manto landed as the second runner-up.

Before she hands her crown to her successor, Celeste Cortesi has bid farewell to her reign as Miss Universe Philippines 2022 and graced the pageant’s stage with her farewell walk.

For her final strut, the Filipina beauty from Pasay City donned a gorgeous golden gown that truly elevated her regal aura.

During her address, she took the time to thank the organization and to everyone who supported her in her journey.

"I'm extending my deepest gratitude tonight to all the people who have made my journey memorable. This meaning of success is not the fifth crown, but to have truly made a positive and progessive change in so many people's lives," she said.

She is set to crown her successor who will represent the Philippines at the 72nd Miss Universe competition that will be held in El Salvador.

In one of the pageant’s most significant rounds, the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Top Five candidates displayed their intelligence and wit in the question-and-answer portion of the pageant.

The questions, asked by the judges, tackled various social issues such as trans women competing in women's sports events, the Philippines being portrayed in a negative light by media, online sexual abuse, artificial intelligence, and income inequality.

They were also asked the question, "What is the best that we could offer to the rest of the world?"

We are a step closer to meeting the new Miss Universe Philippines as the pageant has announced the final five candidates vying for the crown. 

Meet the top five candidates: 

1. Krishnah Marie Gravidez - Baguio 
   
2. Angelique Manto - Pampanga
3. Pauline Amelinckx – Bohol  
4. Christine Opiaza - Zambales
5. Michelle Dee - Makati 

Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel gave a heartwarming speech to the crowd of the Miss Universe Philippines grand coronation night.

"A few years ago, I never realized that I would hold this self-confidence and this self-belief that I do now. I was filled with self-doubt, but luckily, along my pageant journey, I met some women that really believed in me and they saw things in me that I didn't see myself and they reframed my perception on myself," Gabriel said.

She added that these women pulled out the very best in her, and she could never be more thankful.

The Fil-Am beauty queen took home the crown at the 71st Miss Universe competition held in New Orleans.

The Miss Universe Philippines 2023 grand coronation night is heating up with a performance from American Idol alumna Jessica Sanchez.

The singer undoubtedly made the night an unforgettable one with as she sang the song Baddie while wearing a sparkly blue jumpsuit.

Sanchez gained popularity after she became a contestant on the eleventh season of American Idol and finished as runner-up.

Miss Universe Philippines National Director Shamcey Supsup meanwhile made an appearance and gave an inspiring message about how everyone "has the power to uplift, and inspire, at to make a positive impact in our communities and in the lives of those around us."

The Miss Universe Philippines 2023 candidates were a spectacle for the eyes during the pageant’s evening gown segment at the grand coronation.

The pageant had its 18 remaining candidates capture the hearts of the audience members through their charming smiles and graceful walks as they showcased their embellished gowns crafted by their chosen fashion designers.

At the end of the segment, Makati's Michelle Dee was named as winner of the evening gown competition.

This comes as Xian Lim announced that the organization had decided to keep the 18 semifinalists for the evening gown segment and from there, they will choose the Top 5 who will move on to the next round.

After almost an hour-long break, the pageant's host Xian Lim has announced that due to technical difficulties, the top 18 candidates will walk for the evening gown competition. From there, scores will be computed manually to determine the five candidates who will advance to the next round.

The Miss Universe Philippines pageant has now announced the Top 10 queens who will be moving on to the next round.

The Top 10 queens include:

1. Michelle Dee - Makati
2. Pauline Amelinckx – Bohol  
3. Klyza Ferrando Castro - Davao Oriental 
4. Krishnah Marie Gravidez - Baguio 
5. Christine Opiaza - Zambales 
6. Jan Marie Bordon - Bacolod 
7. Jannarie Zarzoso - Agusan del Norte
8. Rein Hillary Carrascal - Sorsogon 
9. Airissh Ramos - Eastern Samar
10. Samantha Panlilio – Cavite

It’s all glitz and oozing confidence as the Top 18 candidates walked the stage in their tortoise blue swimwear with mesh capes during the swimsuit competition. 

At the end of the segment, Baguio's bet Krishnah Marie Gravidez was named as winner of the swimsuit competition.

Hosts Alden Richards and Xian Lim introduced the night's panel of judges who will choose who the next Miss Universe Philippines queen is.

The committee who will deliberate the winning queen are current Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel and Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran.

Also in the panel are Lyn Lee, Tonee Co Hang, Anna Garces, Annette Gozon-Valdes, Sam Verzosa, Yedda Romualdez, Lloyd Lee, Nelda Eufemio, Dyan Castillejo, and Marion De Guzman.

Before revealing the top 18 candidates, the evening's host, Alden Richards, first announced the winners of the special awards, calling Jannarie Zarzoso of Agusan Del Norte as the winner of the "Miss Friendship" award. However, in what seems to be a Steve Harvey moment, Richards corrected himself and gave the award to Shayne Glenmae Maquiran of Capiz.

"I stand corrected. Miss Friendship is Miss Capiz, Shayne Glenmae Maquiran. But Miss Jannarie Zarzoso is our Face of Social Media," Richards exclaimed.

Following that, he named the three winners from the pre-pageant challenges, they are: Agusan del Norte's Jannarie Zarzoso, Glam Challenge winner; Bohol's Pauline Amelinckx, Swimsuit Challenge winner; and Pampanga's Angelique Manto, Runway Challenge winner.

Bulacan's Princess Anne Marcos was also given the Smilee Casting award.

1. Airissh Ramos - Eastern Samar
2. Michelle Dee - Makati
3. Clare Dacanay - Parañaque 
4. Afia Adorable - Tiaong, Quezon 
5. Rein Hillary Carrascal - Sorsogon 
6. Iman Franchesca Cristal - Mandaluyong 
7. Jan Marie Bondon - Bacolod 
8. Emmanuelle Vera - Cebu Province

9. Christine Salcedo - Marinduque 

10. Christine Opiaza - Zambales 
11. Samantha Panlilio – Cavite 
12. Klyza Fernando Castro - Davao Oriental 
13. Krishnah Marie Gravidez - Baguio 
14. Kimberlyn Acob - Isabela
15. Princess Ann Marcos - Bulacan 
16. Pauline Amelinckx – Bohol  
17. Jannarie Zarzoso - Agusan del Norte
18. Angelique Manto - Pampanga

Hosts Alden Richards and Xian Lim made sure to welcome the audience with wide smiles to this year’s edition of the pageant.

The two then welcomed Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, where she greeted the crowd with an energetic "Mabuhay Philippines!"

Tim Yap and Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne are serving as backstage hosts.

The Miss Universe Philippines 2023 grand coronation night has finally begun.

The 38 candidates introduced themselves to the crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena as they wore black ensembles by Chris Nick and shoes by Jojo Bragais that elevated their grace and beauty.

The current Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi have now arrived at the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Gabriel could be seen wearing an elegant silver dress while Tunzi donned a golden dress that are embezzled with sparkly gems and jewels. Both of them posed with Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart.

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The two are set to appear in the pageant as special guests.