'WALANG KAKAIN': Netizens react to Miss Universe 2022 results without Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi
Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi failed to secure a spot on the top 16, ending the country’s streak of over a decade of being included in the semifinals of the Miss Universe pageant.
Famously known as one of the solid pageant fans, Filipinos were devastated when the country’s delegate didn’t make it to the semifinal round of the 71st edition of the most prestigious pageant.
After the nerve-wracking wait, netizens expressed their dismay and grief in funny yet relatable quips, perfectly depicting how every pageant fan feels.
On Twitter, 'SERYOSO BA' trended immediately after the announcement of the top 16 semifinalists.
Content creator Arshie Larga summed up the rollercoaster of emotions in four memes following the announcement.
'WALANG KAKAIN' also landed on the trending list along with 'El Tocuyo,' a phrase a used when a certain frontrunner candidate fails to make it to the first cut. This term began in 2016 when Venezuela's Mariam Habach failed to secure a spot at the pageant held in Manila representing her hometown, El Tocuyo. From then on, frontrunners who didn't make the first cut were called El Tocuyo awardees.
The Philippines not being included in the top 16 was truly a dismay, especially with Cortesi's performance during the preliminaries held on Jan. 12. One Twitter user said the results were "not clicking."
Since 2010, the Philippines was consistently included in the top 16 semifinalists, starting with Venus Raj who placed fourth runner-up, to Beatrice Luigi Gomez who also made it to the top 5 in Miss Universe 2021. Fans are still hopeful that the country will regain its strength and start its winning streak in the following years.
