Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi will wear the Philippines sash for the second time in an international pageant, joining an elite club of queens who represented their country on the international stage twice.
Cortesi, who was Miss Philippines Earth 2018, thwarted another attempt at crossover success by Michelle Dee, who placed second during the finals last Saturday. Dee, daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, was Miss World Philippines 2019 and finished in the semis at Miss World.
Crossovers between national qualifiers for Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International and Miss Earth are common in the Philippines. However, winning two is rare, last achieved by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who won both Miss Universe Philippines 2018 and Miss World Philippines 2016.
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Cortesi's fellow Miss Earth Philippines alumna, Carlene Aguilar from 2001, won Binibining Pilipinas-World in 1995.
Here's a clip of Cortesi's interview during the 2018 Miss Philippines-Earth finals, which was carried by Rappler.
Cortesi finished in the top 8 of Miss Earth 2018 that was hosted by the Philippines, also at MOA arena where she won Miss Universe Philippines.
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