Get to know Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Top 40 Finalists

 

Today is the call back of all the applicants for the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2023 beauty pageant. Last year's winner Celeste Cortesi from Pasay City will crown her successor as Miss Universe Philippines 2023. Here are the Top 40 delegates who have been selected for this year's contest and attended the Physical Screenings here at Estancia, Pasig City.

Airissh Ramos Age: 26 

Height: 5'5" Representing: Arteche, Eastern Samar.

She was part of Adopt A Family Program: Merry Salo-Salong Handog sa Pasko 2022 in Partnership with Local Businesses in Eastern Samar. Gift Giving Program for the Elders of Arteche in Partnership with San Ramon Nonnatus Parish, Project Love Lives, One Cainta, UAE Food Bank - Executive Director and CEO of social enterprises. A Mental Health Ambassador of the Center for Empowerment and Development in Eastern Visayas (CoPE Inc.). Sustainability PH Youth member. American Chamber of Commerce BLP Alumna. One of the recipients of Social Business Creation Top 20 Most Impactful Social Business Idea Awards held in HEC, Montreal Canada. She had won Bb. Silangang Samar Turismo 2021, Miss  Arteche 2021, Miss Pintados 2022 1st Runner-up.

Alexandria Bautista Bollier Age: 26

Height: 5'7" Representing: Cavite

Advocacy: Migrant Workers

She is Filipina American beauty who is part of the Aces and Queens beauty camp and has been training to win the next Miss Universe Philippines 2023 crown.

Avery Sucgang Age: 21

Height: 5'10" Representing: Aklan

Advocacy: Supporting Single Parents.

Breena Marie Evans Age: 27

Height: 5'7" Representing: Manila

Chloei Darl Gabales Age: 21

Height: 5'6" Representing: Iloilo City

Chloei is 22 years of age and a native of the Jaro District. An excellent example of an empowered Ilongga with good values, beauty, and intelligence, Chloei graduated from Regional Science High School and entered college at the young age of 15 as a full academic scholar at National University with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy as her field of study. She was crowned the winner of Miss Iloilo Universe 2023 which gave her the opportunity to represent her hometown Iloilo City at Miss Universe Philippines 2023. She works as a Risk Assurance Internal Auditor at one of the country's big four auditing firms. Her goal is to serve as an inspiration to the youth while promoting business sustainability as a professional. An epitome of beauty and intelligence, Gabales sure has a long way to go in the pageantry. The coronation night of Miss Iloilo 2023 was held on 18th January 2023 at Iloilo Convention Centre.

Christiana Afia Adorable Yeboah Age: 25

Height: 5'4" Representing: Valenzuela City

In 2021, she joined Miss Universe Philippines where she made the Top 50.

Christine Joyce Salcedo Age: 24

Representing: Marinduque

Christine Juliane Opiaza Age: 23

Height: 5'6" Representing: Zambales

She participated at Binibining Pilipinas 2022. Currently, she is working as a Freelance model and host in the Philippines.

Clare Sanchez Inso Age: 24

Height: 5'6" Representing: Cebu City

She is a 24-year-old content creator, grand finalist of Eat Bulaga’s Bida Next, and taking up a Masters's degree in Anthropology. She has majored in sociology but most of her life is dedicated to doing things outside of her comfort zone.

Clariele Dacanay Age: 24

Height: 5'11" Representing: Parañaque city

Dianne Mae Refugio Age: 24

Height: 5'7" Representing: Davao del Norte

Advocacy: Financial Literacy 

A graduate of Secondary Education with a focus on Sciences and a product of the #BinibiningDavaodelNorte pageant program. Dianne Mae Refugio may be a beauty queen, but she is a Licensed Professional Teacher first and foremost. Her priority in life is to guide and develop the young minds of Grade 12 students in science subjects while bringing them up to speed in the area of financial education and entrepreneurship. In the process, she hopes to “transform” their knowledge into useful tools that will help create a new mindset in promoting both the tourism and agriculture potentials of her province.

Dianne C. Padillo Age: 27

Height: 5'7" Representing: Cebu City

Advoacy: Youth Empowerment

She is a pageant veteran who has joined Binibining Cebu 2018 beauty pageant.

Emmanuelle Vera Age: 28

Height: 5'6" Representing: Taguig

She is an actress and singer-songwriter, and she can dance. Winner of Reinahispano Americana Filipinas 2021 and Reinahispano Americana 2021 3rd Runner-Up.

Evangeline Fuentes Age: 25

Height: 5'6" Representing: Pangasinan 

A former garbage collector, farmer, vendor, and now a founder of her charity can be a force for good in the universe. She grew up in a landfill in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. The youngest of nine siblings, Evangeline's father is a farmer while her mother is a dressmaker. Evangeline helped her family by being a farmer, trash collector, and vendor since she was in grade school. But Evangeline wanted to inspire young girls in the landfill community. She was a student leader and graduated from high school and grade school with honors. At present, she is a model, and entrepreneur, works in the real estate industry, and founder of a Kalakal Charity that empowers children in a landfill. She has also been in the pageant industry with titles under her belt like Ms. Panpacific University 2017, Bb. Republica ng Pilipinas Congreso de Malolos 2018, and  Bb. Urdaneta City 2020. Despite her success, Evangeline never loses sight of what the universe wanted her to do: inspire and transform the lives of the children who live in landfills. She founded the "Smile Program" in 2019 in Urdaneta City to give hope and smiles to all young garbage collectors.  She also extended help to the landfill families during the pandemic by giving packed meals and supplies. Many supported the program and Evangeline wanted to reach more children in the landfill.  Hence, she renamed the “Smile Program” to Kalakal Charity. In English, "kalakal" means selling trash for a living. From 50 beneficiaries, the number of beneficiaries has increased to 180. Aside from Pangasinan, Evangeline also expanded her love for children in Cebu and extended help to the Odette victims in 2021.

Hyra Desiree Betito Age: 26

Representing: Surigao del Norte

She is an OFW and she is also advocating for Autism awareness.

Iman Franchesca Cristal Age: 24

Representing: Mandaluyong

Jan Marie Bordon Age: 22

Representing: Bacolod City

She is a student of La Consolacion College Bacolod in the BS Tourism Management course. Winner of Miss Bacolod MassKara - International 2023 last October 2022. She advocates for Mental Health Awareness.

Jannarie Zarzoso Age: 24 

Height: 5'4" Representing: Agusan del Norte

The purpose of the Beauty Queen's visit is to plead with Mayor Amante about her plan to participate in the National Beauty Pageant which is Miss Universe Philippines carrying the honor and name of the City of Cabadbaran. Mayor Amante also firmly gave her support on behalf of the entire city with the hope that it will get the desired victory.

Joemay-an Leo Age: 27

Height: 5'7" Representing: Benguet

She is from the city of Tuba, Benguet, and works as a freelancer. She graduated from the University of Baguio with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Joemay is no stranger to the pageant world as she is the reigning Miss Cordillera. She is of Ibaloi and Bontoc descent and wants to uplift the Igorot tribe and encourage more women to participate in such beauty pageants. Joemay describes her tribe as emotionally, physically, and spiritually very strong and thus she will be the complete embodiment of her tribe at the finale, making her a strong contestant.

Kali Navea-Huff Age: 27

Height: 5'8" Representing: Pasig

Kali is the Head Q&A/Interview trainer for Aces & Queens, a Manila-based beauty camp that has produced world-class beauty queens and continues to excel on the national and international stage.

Karen Joyce Olfato Age: 25

Height: 5'7" Hometown: Batangas

She studied BS Industrial Engineering at the University of the Philippines Los Baños Featured Section. Karen was crowned as Miss Tanauan 2023 winner. During her education, Karen did her Internship in Quality Assurance Services Department at a manufacturing company and worked at a global professional services company.

Kimberly Escartin Age: 25

Representing: Southern Leyte

She lived in London for 12 years, she came back to the Philippines to make her dream come true, to be part of the Miss Universe Philippines 2023. She learned more about Filipino culture and explore where I came from. My advocacy is the prevention of teenage pregnancy. She takes this seriously because early pregnancy is one of the pressing issues Filipino youths are facing today. And the Philippines has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates among the ASEAN member countries. My goal is to spread awareness of her advocacy. She wants to empower young women to take care and protect themselves, so they can have the opportunity to live a full life and to be able to make choices for themselves.”

Kimberlyn Jane Acob Age: 24

Height: 5'8" Representing: Isabela

Advocacy: Education

Klyza Castro Age: 23

Height: 5'9" Hometown: Davao Oriental

Klyza has a degree in AB Political Science from the Ateneo de Davao University. She is a Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador. Klyza won Mutya Pilipinas Asia Pacific International 2019 and she represented the Philippines at Miss Asia Pacific International 2019 where she placed Top 25 semi-finalists.

Krishnah Marie Gravidez Age: 22

Height 5'7" Hometown: Baguio

A 21-year-old civil engineering student, Krishnah Marie Gravidez, was crowned Miss Baguio-Breathe 2022 Saturday on August 27, at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center. She is an advocate of Youth Empowerment in her community in Baguio City.

Laicka Implamado Age: 26

Height: 5'7" Representing: Occidental Mindoro

Advocacy: Preservation of natural and cultural heritage especially the Mangyan and tamaraw.

Layla Adriatico Age: 26

Representing: Northern Samar

Lesly Joy Sim Age: 26

Representing: Quezon Province

Louise Joy Gallardo Age: 21

Height: 5'6" Representing: Palawan

Advocacy: Tourism Information, Education, and Communication for Alternative Livelihood.

Mary Angelique Manto Age: 26

Height: 5'7" Hometown: Pampanga

Manto is a 25-year-old vlogger, social media influencer, model, and TV host. Angelique hails from Lubao, Pampanga, and is a former UAAP courtside reporter. Angelique studied AB Communication Arts at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila, Philippines. Professionally, she is a former courtside reporter covering basketball for ABS-CBN sports and action. She also worked as a fashion model and her social media boasts over 110,000 followers. She has been the host of the vlog life lately which offers weekly videos about healthy living and culture. Angelique is a former Miss Lubao 2014 and Miss Pampanga 2014 winner. She will be fielded by Team GLXY Management camp.

Mary Eileen Gonzales Age: 22

Height: 5'5" Representing: Negros Occidental

Eileen is a former actress at Star Magic and former Miss Global Philippines 2018. Her first movie was "The Mistress" where she played the role of the younger sister of Bea Alonzo's character. Her idol beauty queen is Catriona Gray. Eileen's advocacy is promoting awareness regarding solo parenting. She is currently an entrepreneur with her skincare brand, Love, Mary Skin Naturals.

Michelle Daniela Marquez Dee

Age: 27 Height: 5'10" Hometown: Makati City

Michelle was born in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines on April 24, 1995, to businessman and former actor Frederick "Derek" Dee and to actress, author, former supermodel, and beauty queen Melanie Marquez, who was previously Miss International 1979. She is of Chinese descent from her father. She grew up loving farm animals and enjoying the countryside, both in Utah and in her family's hacienda in Mabalacat, Pampanga, Philippines. She attended De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, and graduated with a degree in psychology. She competed at Miss World 2019 in London where she finished as the Top 10 semifinalist. While growing up with two autistic siblings, has made her empathetic toward people with special needs. It has inspired her to work with children with autism as the Goodwill Ambassador for Autism Society Philippines since 2019. She aspires to solve or help get the message across to people with autism. She has founded a series of businesses such as Drip Therapy Co., WHATFUTURE, and INVIRO INC. That focus on health, multi-media creation, and WEB3 adoption respectively. She is also the President of Inner Peace Foundation, which was founded in 1981 by her grandmother Regina Dee (former director of Chinabank Corporation for over 20 years) and has since taken charge after her father's accident. Last year Michelle joined Miss Universe Philippines 2022 where she placed as the 1st Runner-Up to Celeste Cortesi.

Nikki Justine Breedveld Age: 26

Height: 5'7" Hometown: Taguig

She works as a Lawyer and Teacher. An advocate of Lupus warrior and Mental Health Advocate.

Pauline Amelinckx Age: 27

Height: 5'6" Representing: Bohol

Pauline has earned her bachelor’s degree in International Studies and a major in European Studies at the Cebu Doctors' University in Mandaue City. Pauline advocates using art and creating a children's coloring book to raise awareness in kids, at an earlier age, regarding the environment they live in where she hopes that the awareness will in turn develop love and a sense of protection in the kids. She competed at Miss Universe Philippines 2020 where she placed 3rd Runner-Up and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 winning Miss Universe Philippines Charity 2022 crown.

Princess Anne Marcos Age: 24

Height: 5'6" Hometown: Bulacan

She studied Bs Industrial Engineering at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Princess is a strong advocate of entrepreneurship in agriculture, and women's empowerment.

Rein Hillary Carrascal Age: 25

Height: 5'6" Representing: Sorsogon

A pageant veteran with many accomplishments:

Generation East Sta. Lucia Malls - Grand Winner

Mutya ng Casiguran Sorsogon 2017

Daragang Magayon 2018

Mutya ng Taguig 2018

Miss Bicolandia 2019 (1st-runner-up)

Mutya ng Ibalong 2019 (1st-runner up)

Samantha Alexandra Panlilio Age: 27

Height: 5'5" Hometown: Cavite City

Born and raised in Cavite, Samantha has worked as Senior Consultant for OLN Inc in Los Angeles, California. She had finished her Bachelor’s degree in information management from the University of California Irvine (UCI) in Irvine, California, United States. She graduated with an undergraduate research assistant at the UCI’s Paul Merage School of Business. From January 2009 to March 2013, she led a team of Habitat for Humanity International volunteers to address the issues of poverty by helping rebuild houses and communities in China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. She previously won Bibinibing Pilipinas Grand International 2021 which allowed her to represent the Philippines at Miss Grand International 2021 in Thailand where she was unplacement.

Shayne Glenmae Maquiran Age: 25

Representing: Capiz

Vanessa Matzeit Age: 25

Height: 5'5" Representing: Negros Oriental

Advocacy: Women's healthcare

Vanessa is a Filipina-German survivor of Endometriosis and can speak 5 languages fluently. She can speak French German English Filipino & even Cebuano. She is a Business Administration degree holder & has worked in Germany since she was only 15. She has worked as a hotel clerk and has experienced scrubbing toilets as part of her training, became a flight stewardess, and also waited tables at a café (waitress) to make both ends meet in Germany during the pandemic. She advocates for Accessible Women's Health Care and hopes to represent all the hardworking women in the Philippines who are constantly pursuing their lifelong dreams.

Vanessa Tse Wing Age: 26

Representing: Guimaras

She is student at University of the Philippines.

Who are your favorites for Miss Universe Philippines 2023? Comment below