Our young and determined Miss PLDT Home hopes to mark her ‘uniquely beautiful’ journey with
a crown
Filipinos from all over the world, get ready to cheer for our very own Miss Universe Philippines
Celeste Cortesi as she takes on the biggest competition of her life.Catch our very own
contender, concurrently crowned Miss PLDT Home, at the world’s most prestigious and
anticipated pageant as it returns for its 2022 edition on January 15, 9 a.m. (Philippine time).
Miss Universe celebrates what makes each queen “uniquelybeautiful.” This includes being their
best and most beautiful selves by proudly representing their roots and culture and supporting
meaningful advocacies with hopes to impact the world. With this campaign, Miss Universe
seeks to empower women from all over the world to exemplify their charitable hearts and reveal
their better and stronger versions.
Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi easily embodies a beautiful queen inside and
out.The Filipino-Italian model and PLDT Home ambassador strongly advocates women’s
education, alongside protecting and preserving the country’s indigenous people and culture.
A family woman, Cortesihas spoken about her deep care and love for her family – who has
been extra supportive of her entire beauty pageantjourney.
“My mom always expressed her desire for me joining and becoming Miss Universe. She’s
always been very supportive of me. She would always encourage and motivate me during
challenging times in my competitions.She is my strength,” Cortesi told the press months before
the Miss Universe pageant.
Cortesi, who represented Pasay City, was crowned Miss Universe Philippines last April
succeeding Beatrice Luigi Gomez. She also bagged that night’s Miss Photogenic and Best in
Swimsuit among her other special awards.
Following her win and as part of her journey to the bigger stage, Cortesi has since been
exposed to more workshops and training sessions. She has also participated in more publicity
events and charity works – big and small – that altogether primed her on her way to the Miss
Universe crown.
Celeste, however, admitted that her road to the big stage naturally came across challenges.But
it’s the connections with her support group – made much stronger courtesy of PLDT Home –
that only shaped her to be more ready than ever.
“I connect with my mother in Italy through the many social platforms available. She is constantly
updated with my daily activities and whereabouts,” the 25-year-old model said. “We are so
thankful for good internet connectivity because I can video-call my mother, my sister,and my
best friend all the way from Italy with no interruptions. We get to catch up and see how much
we’ve grown since the last time we saw each other physically.”
Ahead of Miss Universe, Cortesi is now in New Orleans, Louisiana making waves with her
gorgeous looks she has since been posting on social media. She will be witness to another star-
studded event, with Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and Emmy award-winning TV personality
Jeannie Mai Jenkins as hostsand Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and entertainment host
Zuri Hall as backstage commentators.
With family, friends, fellow queens, and the rest of Filipinos behind this young, determined
queen, Cortesi looks to succeed India’s Harnaaz Sandhu and take home the Philippines’ fifth
Miss Universe crown. She has come prepared, but for now, she said, it all boils down to faith.
“My life story is still being written.Everyday is a new page on the scripts. I expect to make my
story more inspiring.”
