Miss Universe Philippines 2023

Miss Universe Philippines 2023 was the fourth edition of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, on May 13, 2023.

Michelle Dee of Makati was crowned by Celeste Cortesi of Pasay as her successor at the end of the event. Dee went on to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador, where she reached the top ten.

Contestants from thirty-eight localities competed in this edition. The pageant was hosted by Xian Lim, Alden Richards, and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, while TV and radio host Tim Yap and The Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne were the backstage hosts. South Korean singer, Nam Woo-hyun, Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez, and the SV Squad performed as musical guests.

Background

Selection of participants

On November 7, 2022, the organization launched its search for the next candidate to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2023. Online application was initially set until January 29, 2023. However, it was moved twice—first to February 5, 2023, and later to February 14, 2023. On-site application was done from February 13–17, 2023. The final selection and the initial 40 contestants were subsequently named on February 18, 2023.

In September 2022, the Miss Universe organization announced changes to its rules, allowing women to join the pageant regardless of marital status, beginning in 2023. The national pageant followed suit, opening its applications to Filipino citizens aged 18 to 27, regardless of the applicant's civil status and height.

Withdrawals

Out of the original 40 contestants, Miss Pangasinan, Evangeline Fuentes, withdrew from the competition due to health concerns. As a result, the organization decided to include Miss Apayao, Kristeen Mae Boccang, as a replacement for Fuentes among the official top 40 candidates. Dianne Mae Refugio from Davao del Norte and Breanna Marie Evans from Mandaue withdrew for undisclosed reasons.

Location and date

On March 3, 2023, the organization announced that the coronation would be on May 13, 2023, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Metro Manila. The sale of tickets for the coronation night began on April 3, 2023.

New titles

The Miss Universe Philippines Organization announced two new, but unnamed titles for this edition, which received polarized reactions on social media. On February 21, 2023, Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, the owner of the Miss Universe Organization, stated her preference for each country's delegate to be selected through a separate local pageant. This announcement led to speculation about whether it would have any impact on the plans of the local organization for the new titles.

On the coronation night, the additional titles were not used, as they were under the EmpirePH organization. The following morning, at a separate event at the Okada Manila, finalists Pauline Amelinckx and Krishnah Marie Gravidez were appointed Miss Supranational Philippines 2023 and Miss Charm Philippines 2024 respectively. They are to represent the country at Miss Supranational 2023, to be held at Nowy Sącz, Małopolska, Poland; and Miss Charm 2024 respectively.

Results

Placements

§ – Smilee Casting Fan Vote winner

‡ – Challenge winners

Appointments

In a separate ceremony after the coronation, two finalists were appointed to represent the Philippines on the following pageants:

;Color keys
* The contestant won in an international pageant.
* The contestant was a finalist/runner-up in an international pageant.
* The contestant was a semi-finalist in an international pageant.
* The contestant did not place.

Special awards

Major awards

Sponsor awards

Pre-pageant events

In the run-up to the coronation night, the thirty-eight contestants competed in various challenges to compete for a spot in the finals. The winners of each challenge were determined by a public vote and were announced during the coronation night, securing their place in the top 18. The voting period for each challenge lasted six days, starting with the photoshoot challenge on April 3, 2023, followed by the swimsuit challenge on April 10, 2023, and concluding with the Jojo Bragais runway challenge on April 24, 2023, which was adjusted following the extension of the voting period from the previous challenge. On May 7, the casting challenge was later held in addition to the previously announced challenges, where the winner was guaranteed a spot as a semifinalist.

National Costume competition

The national costume competition was held at the Leyte Normal University in Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines on May 4, 2023. The theme of this edition's national costume competition was "ani" (harvest), which pays homage to the rich history and traditions of Filipino farming communities. The event was hosted by Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados and actor Marco Gumabao. At the end of the event, the top three for the Tingog ng Filipina and the Best in National Costume awards were revealed.

Pageant

Format

Following an extended 30-minute commercial break following the announcement of the top ten, host Xian Lim announced that the previously announced results would be reverted due to technical difficulties from the pageant's tabulation system. As a result, the entire top 18 competed in the evening gown competition, as well for as a spot in the top five.

The sudden announcement drew comment from social media, due to a lack of transparency on the pageant's selection mechanics.

Selection committee

The judges for both the preliminary competition and the finale determined the results alongside a public vote. This year's judges included:
*Lyn Lee – Managing Director of Smilee Apparel
*Tonee Charmagne Co Hang – CFO of Aqua Boracay
*Ana Garces – Head of Marketing at Avon Philippines
*Annette Gozon-Valdes – GMA Network SVP and GMA Films President and CEO
* Sam Verzosa – Congressman
*Yedda Marie Romualdez – Congresswoman, Binibining Pilipinas International 1996
*R'Bonney Gabriel – Miss Universe 2022 from the United States
*Margarita Moran – Miss Universe 1973 from the Philippines
*Lloyd Lee – Executive Director of Net Asia Industries Incorporated
*Nelda Eufemio – Dentist
*Dyan Castillejo – ABS-CBN Sports Correspondent
*Marrion Brandellick De Guzman – Chief Marketing Officer of Jewelmer

Contestants

The following 38 contestants, representing their respective cities or provinces, competed for the title:

Notes

References

External links

*
{{Miss Universe Philippines

2023 beauty pageants
2023 in the Philippines
Beauty pageants in the Philippines
2023