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This morning I watched Miss Universe.

I kept on reviewing it also as a director,

because we have to deliver Miss Universe quality as a production

You're here to win the title.

All of you.

You want to be all Miss Universe.

So you prepare yourself to be a representative of the Philippines,

for Miss Universe, for this pageant.

But some of you, last night,

were performing for another pageant.

Do you understand?

So don't be like…

Focus on the fact that what they're looking for is a Miss Universe,

like, lady, woman.

Girls, one minute!

Miss Universe style.

That's what we are here for.

Just the richness and the diversity of our history

make up who we are today.

We are in a constant search of finding our identity,

but in the process still sticking to what we know as a culture.

The food is wonderful, the scenery and the biodiversity,

but at the end of the day, it's the people that you come back for.

There is just a genuineness to help you when you actually need it.

They're so keen to give you a warm smile or a warm embrace.

There is no place like the Philippines.

The Filipinos have had this life-long love affair with Miss Universe.

We just love pageantry.

I've mentioned before that

the whole Philippines stops for only three things and that's…

-Boxing. -Basketball.

And beauty pageants.

The entire country will stop, everyone will…

…skip work, or tune in that evening.

And Miss Universe was the biggest pageant that

you know, our family and our friends would, you know, follow.

I think it's definitely like the World Cup or the Super Bowl for the Filipinos.

Because they've had four winners.

But I would say it's been passed on through generations

all the way up to now.

This year has been very, very interesting

because there are a lot of rules that changed.

There's no age limit, there's no height requirement.

During my time, the age limit was 25.

And the other thing is, we also have the accredited partnership system.

So our accredited partners go through the sifting process

where they actually do the screening process

in the different provinces and cities across the country,

and even outside the Philippines.

So before, normally we would just have, let's say, 30 to 38 delegates.

now, this year, I think we have 53.

This year is the most diverse and inclusive batch of delegates

that we've ever had.

Today is about the delegates

who have worked so hard to get to the nationals.

Their reason or purpose varies, but one thing's for sure,

there is only one crown, and only one dream will come true.

-Very! -Very.

You? Are you?

Yeah, this one's excited.

Because I don't get to spend much time with them anymore,

because, of course, we're like… I leave at 3:00 in the morning

and I come home… What time is it? 7:00?

So I think she's well prepared, if ever she does decide to join a pageant.

She has all the tools for that now, right?

-Yeah. -Yeah, excited for that?

My first ever pageant was in 2010 and I was already 24.

So during that time, I was already the oldest in the batch of 2010

and that was also the last cut-off age to get the crown.

You know what, women can do whatever they want.

As long as they put their hearts and minds into it.

And Selena was just, you know, the perfect example for that.

She's still able to keep herself fit

you know, able to perform her duties as a mom

and still, you know, did quite well during the pageant.

Selena was a great inspiration for all moms out there.

Especially this one 'cause she's nine years old,

so she's a bit clingy,

-so the times that-- -It was tough.

-This is tough, this… -Journey.

…journey she's doing.

My daughter sometimes cries,

when I do my makeup, "Where are you going, Mom?"

And then I tell her I have to go for a shoot or what not,

but it's early in the morning.

So now I'm happy that I'm given the opportunity again

to, like, represent moms, represent women of age. Like…

It's… You can still do it.

I mean, I have this opportunity now, I have this platform now.

So I'm going to try and make the most out of it.

Miss Universe is a beautiful woman that is a spokesperson,

she has an advocacy.

And she really knows what she wants to put out into the world.

She's also a model and she's also traveling the world

and connecting with people.

When you look at those things,

I don't think that's a certain age of a woman,

I don't think that's a certain size,

I don't think that matters if she's married or not.

I think it's great because it allows women from any background to be represented.

That there are no boundaries to a woman's dream,

and that they can do it.

Models, spokeswomen, Miss Universe, I think it needs to be more inclusive.

And it really is about time.

As an organization, we put a lot of value in

bringing an advocacy campaign during the pageant

and even post pageant that would make an impact

on the delegate's lives, as well as the chosen advocacies that we have.

And this year, I'm proud to share that we actually did a campaign called,

"Love For All" where we chose

seven different advocacies and partner organizations.

Plastic straw, one sec, with Eunice.

What about plastic caps? Who has these?

Eunice as well.

I chose the environment.

It's something that I've been working on for years.

And I knew I would have a massive platform to be able to do that and have

Filipinos actually listen to me

and spread awareness about these topics that are a bit

brushed under the rug in the Philippines.

It's got your…

-That is child's height. -That's got your name on it!

-I don't think so. -You got tongs.

Not today, Satan!

Okay.

Go, babe!

Yes!

That's what I'm talking about!

You did that, see? Your boots came in handy.

-Okay -Oh, my God, don't get me wet!

-Okay. -Hold on!

Of course, being Miss Universe Philippines is not about that crown, it's really about

what you embody and how you influence other people.

You really have to believe in that.

Because throughout the competitions there will be trials, turbulations,

and you have to fall back onto that core purpose

of why you're joining.

It's where it says 1st Avenue.

Give me the tweezers.

The duration of the makeup is two hours and then for two hours…

…she'll yawn.

And when you yawn, you tend to have a teary eye.

It's gonna be a challenge for the makeup.

Yeah, he's mad.

The problem is, sometimes, someone is very good in makeup

but it doesn't… You don't match.

Your make up is good for a specific type of face.

And when we met,

the first time he did my makeup, it's perfect.

It's like he's been doing my make up for a very long time.

So I was like, "Where were you?"

When I was competing in Binibining I was changing makeup artists,

looking for someone who can do my face.

And, I don't know, where were you?

-Where were you at that time? -I don't know, maybe it's destiny.

Close your eyes.

Everybody expects us to be so eager to win,

but all I wish is to be at the top.

I think being in the top 20 is such a big achievement.

And whoever beats me, I'm cool.

It's like we're tired, we want to rest.

They're tired as well!

Some don't even get enough sleep.

Or do they sleep? That's the question.

Because when you have, like, a 7:00 a.m. call time,

you can't go there not being ready.

Good morning, boys!

We have a lot of sponsors

and with every sponsor, you have deliverables.

I approach brands who share the same values of women empowerment.

Especially pushing for the empowerment of Filipinas.

And then when we finalize, that's when we discuss

what will Miss Universe Philippines and your brand do together.

It can be about video content, postings or event appearances.

Initially, to save on money and time and production

the clients would ask to limit it to maybe shooting 15 girls, 15 ladies.

But Jonas made it clear to us,

"No, if you're going to shoot them, you shoot all of them."

It's hard to manage five people.

Imagine managing 53 people.

Yes, he did give that direction. So, you know…

Of course in my head I was thinking. "Fifty-three girls in one day is a lot."

And action!

-Nice, one more! -Action!

Yes!

One more, higher. One, two, three and throw!

Three, two, one.

Make that skirt fly. There you go!

-Be careful! -First position!

Okay, let's go!

-Yes! -Throw! Nice one. More.

I'll only replace Iloilo for a rich man.

And action!

Okay, got it, cut!

Just look front, look front.

Perfect! All right, next two.

Babe, I am the rich man!

Ballut!

You internalize it for the whole day before you really perform.

It's something that will really show you who you are

and showcase what you are capable of when you are having your shoot.

Victoria, here is your image.

It's interesting, the way you sat on the chair.

But overall, I like your poise and grace

amidst the need to stabilize.

I like how I feel the oneness with the photo with Wuling.

And I think that's very important

when you do a photoshoot, especially with a product.

I hoped that I could see your legs more, or your heels more.

But this is, like, "giving" to me, so congratulations.

For the branded shoots, or for the branded productions,

they do help in terms of allowing us to see

who is Miss Universe Philippines material.

And action!

More!

Hold it, hold it!

And action!

Yes!

Do you sell Buscopan here?

-Buscopan? -Yes, please.

How many is that?

The Miss Universe Philippines board of directors,

they were all, of course, worried about the health of the delegates.

Some of them were getting sick.

It's the effects of…

I woke up like this.

Maybe when I get a little bit more rest,

vocal rest.

And then, sometimes, those shoots

wouldn't end until past 11:00 p.m. to midnight.

So you can just imagine what lack of sleep truly means.

And when I mean lack of sleep, I really mean, like, lack of sleep, so…

The waiting time is so long that it's so tiring, you know?

Because they would say, "You just have to shoot like 30 minutes."

But you're waiting there for the whole day.

So it's so tiring.

Alex!

How about me, Ms. Shane?

Still for later?

There you go.

I've been ready since a while ago.

Yes, she's the first one.

-No, she's not yet done. -I'm not yet finished.

What? They haven't shot you yet?

You've been talking while you're not done?

-Go up. -They don't need me until later.

They'll shoot her later, after the show.

So, yeah, it's very full circle when I joined MU.

He's been my number one, one of my number one supporters

or how do you say, someone who's encouraging me to join.

Always, of course!

And it was here, like, when we…

-Decided. -And decided that you're joining again.

Yeah, it was.

Is there something inside?

My story is, back when I competed,

of course I was aiming for the Miss Universe Philippines crown.

But unfortunately… Well, not unfortunately,

but instead I got appointed a different crown,

not one that I expected.

And then my very close friend, Pia Wurtzbach,

won the Miss Universe Philippines crown.

I ended up winning a crown, you could say, right below it.

It was the Miss Intercontinental title.

Back then, if you had won a crown, you were not allowed to recompete again.

Even if you wanted to go for a separate crown.

Technically, back then, my chances were shot.

Until the franchise got separated from Binibining Pilipinas.

But by that time, I was already too old, or surpassed the age restriction.

It just always…

burned inside of my heart, or inside my gut,

or my soul, knowing that if I had the opportunity,

I knew I would take it.

So if I didn't take the opportunity once it was offered to me

after years of saying I would do it,

or after years of my friends encouraging me to do it if I could,

like, "What if the age restrictions got lifted? You'd do it?"

I would be like, "Yeah, I would."

I would always agree that I think I would.

Of course Christi, she's always been good at runway so… I like her walk.

Apart from being a beauty queen, she's a model.

She's done shows.

I did not expect her to

still want to get a crown.

Because I felt like she's already established herself

in the modeling industry.

So, the "Comeback Queens"

are those who are more well known by pageant watchers and fans,

bring with them their own audience.

Usually, most years, there are, like, very clear

one to two to three, major frontrunners.

This year, you could say there was, like, eight.

Of course you have Ahtisa, who lost to Catriona Gray.

Because she was First Runner Up in Miss International.

And then, Kris Tiffany Janson.

You also had Stacey who's a comeback queen.

Stacey is also popular.

We also had VVV who's also a comeback queen.

So they're all national crown winners.

So for them to join again,

people would always have, like, high hopes for them.

I found that after a few events from Miss Universe Philippines,

the playing field became more level, meaning…

Some newbies would come out and start showing that

they were capable of taking the crown.

It was unreal, the competition this year.

Alexie is also another favorite.

She was able to compete with the veterans

in terms of the followers and the support that she gained.

She had a very strong, you know, message, personality,

fiery, you know, magnetic soul, that you just wanted to…

You wanted to root for and you wanted to see win.

Tarah has caught my eye.

I like Baguio, she's very playful.

It shows her personality when she walks.

And sometimes the veteran wins, sometimes a newbie wins.

Honestly, the hardest, the most competitive, the most qualified,

like, no offense to any other batch, but this year was brutal and like…

Nobody can really foresee how the competition will unfold.

Challenges like these help boost the confidence of the candidates,

it tells them whether they're right on track,

if, you know, the sponsors like them or if they're a crowd favorite.

Welcome to the better side of Boracay!

Who do you think will be this year's Miss Aqua Boracay?

That will all depend on how you guys perform on Saturday.

Try it. So, walk…

And then…

Got to turn.

What do you think?

Too basic.

Everything is seeming like it's "too basic."

It's Miss Universe, boo.

From the time I can remember, I always ran track.

I started running when I was five.

And it turned out I was really good at it. I just had the talent.

So I actually kept on working towards it, and running,

and, you know, I was on the path of possibly going professional.

But, life, you know, has its ways.

So, middle school, I started having hip pain.

My seventh grade year,

and it actually took another year to finally figure out

that I tore my labrum.

So I had my first surgery in 8th grade, I was 14.

It's my baby's first surgery.

-Hi, bubbie! -Hi, Mom.

Then the pain never really went away.

And even after that, all of that, I was on crutches for two months,

on physical therapy for… ever.

And even after that I was, like, "Okay, it's time to get back to running."

But…

I wasn't at where I needed to be,

for timewise, and I couldn't get back to that.

Yeah, I had to realize, okay, this is probably not for me.

I still have a bit of nerve damage on my thigh.

Like, I get that tingling sensation still and sometimes burning sensation.

But now I've figured out another goal

and that's what led me here, to Miss Universe Philippines.

Yes!

That's what I need you to do with your hips!

-So stretch it for now. Can you-- -No.

-Okay. -'Cause I have rehearsals.

If you have rehearsals, then it's going to hurt more.

But your hips is not swaying enough.

Like I think you can do it.

Sit on those hips.

No poses. Just look at the right and then when you reach in the middle,

-you pose in the front. -Okay.

Originally, there was a camera here, pose here, and then both sides,

but we changed everything.

-Is there still not a camera there? -No more.

What a time!

Disclaimer, this doesn't affect any judging

of Miss Universe Philippines finals of May…

So, basically, these eight winners

are all a function of how you will perform tomorrow.

Party dancer, sir!

We have Miss Universe Philippines Manila!

The floor's texture is really different, that's why I'm trying to get used to it.

That's why I keep on walking, walking.

You can sleep in Manila.

You are in Boracay. You don't sleep here!

My feet hurt.

You know, my feet,

they're breathing on their own.

I think I'm good now.

I think I'm really going to sleep now.

Let Virginia do her thing.

Let's close our eyes and let Virginia do her thing.

I'm nervous, not because I'm scared I might fail.

I'm nervous because

I'm putting a pressure to myself that I want to win a title.

For the girls, for the candidates, I know it has an impact on them

when they don't make it to the top 20.

And if you don't win that, like…

Right?

What about the strides, are they okay now?

-It's better than a while ago. -It's better…

-It's more intentional also. -Yeah.

-Even coming back? -Yes.

Okay.

Come here!

Come here, we have to be in shade. It's hot!

I don't know what you did there, but it looks much better than before.

And I don't know what Rianne told you, but what did you do?

-More energy. -Energy.

-Really? -Yeah.

Again, you looked so good on that one,

so we have to make sure that happens tonight, you know.

And just longer strides, so, okay.

I don't know this obsession with whitening stuff.

I accidentally used that for a week.

I went home like, "Why am I white?"

-You used it? -I didn't know it was white.

You didn't read?

Bro, I was rushing, I was just like…

And he was the one who applied it on my legs too!

I was like, "I'm turning into a white woman!"

I was like, "I need to tan!"

After this pageant, you and Matea, remember,

her dad's gonna come, remember the four by one.

-Bro, no! -We're running track.

Bye!

Four by one?

It's you, me, Chelsea and…

Let's just put Laguna, but…

She's gonna be holding the whistle, like, "Girl, you so slow!"

Laguna…

Laguna looks so lazy! She's not going to do anything!

Chelsea will be like, "What am I supposed to do with this?"

Chelsea's like this…

Laguna is not even trying.

She's like, "Why am I even here? It's so hot!"

Your nose line is already at the back of the neck.

You guys are going to be late.

No, no, no, it's 6:30.

We have to pray first, before she leaves.

Okay, okay.

-Who's praying? -Me.

-For you guys. -I thought for me, I was like, "Huh?"

-For the both of you! -What's happening with me?

Yeah. I mean, just pray for blessings for a good performance tonight, yeah?

I think women in general

do worry if they have to get into a swimsuit.

Everybody on the Internet is gonna be watching

and they can comment.

That was the first look for a lot of the bloggers, the media, the fans,

anyone who's been following to see who's gonna bring it.

There was a lot of stress that went around.

When we're walking, are you going to walk on the right side?

It's not about shape. Let me tell you that.

And that's why I've heard some people say this,

"The swimsuit competition is won from the head up."

We just want to show off, like, how hard we've been working.

Bye, Mom.

Good luck, Alexie!

I've looked at it as a way for a girl to show their inner confidence.

It's about how you carry yourself with pride and sass and your feminine prowess.

Like that's your chance to show up.

One minute! One minute!

When she wants something, she goes after it.

It was just finding time to make sure that I felt prepared.

At the end of it, I was.

-Amen. -Amen!

Let's give a good show!

Good evening, Boracay!

Hello, Boracay!

You go out there and you want to show them

that you know what you're doing.

If you mess up, don't show it on your face.

A lot of just breaths,

shaking out my legs, making sure nothing goes wrong,

making sure I'm not cramping or anything.

I'm like, "Okay."

"Face, smile, you know what you're doing, so do it."

Whenever I finish a runway thing, I go backstage

and I call my mom, I'm like, "Mom, how was it?"

"I need to know."

She's like, "You did so great! Gosh!"

Like…

Like, "I'm so proud of you." And that made me happy.

And then I watched it and I was like, "Okay, I think I did really good."

-I, like, lost my balance. My hair… -Mine too.

There was a key point where I was just like, "Is that me?" You know?

-The boobies. -Damn, damn!

-They are bouncing. -She got a 'tude.

I try not to leave the stage with any regrets

because you can't go back out there and fix it.

This is the time wherein I will be officially calling in

Miss Universe 2024 Aqua Angels.

You also put a lot of pressure on yourself.

And the moment you disappoint your fans,

then it's such a bigger heartbreak.

All right, I'd like to call in…

Cainta!

Taguig!

Bacoor!

Iloilo!

Baguio!

Quezon Province!

Northern California!

And the last, but not the least…

Cavite!

You know, that was actually hard on me.

I went backstage, sitting there, trying not to talk to anyone.

I feel like if I talk, I would just burst out into tears.

'Cause I was just devastated.

Once you win an award, then it gives you that self-confidence.

That, yes, what you're doing is right, or that people are noticing you.

I know it could be disheartening to candidates

when they don't make it or don't win the challenges,

but it doesn't have to stop them from putting their best foot forward

and, you know, just giving their best shot until the very end.

Don't carry that decision onto the next thing that I do.

You know, they chose who they wanted and it just wasn't me that time.

Let me show you.

Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop.

Okay.

It's really like dancing, indeed. Dance! Okay, like party dancing!

Again, ready, go, and…

And, and move.

And, yes!

Just a minute.

-Actually, keep going. -One more!

Preparing for the Miss Universe Philippines pageant is…

a 360 training or like…

You have to be prepared mentally, physically, emotionally.

I'm camera-shy. Let's start the training.

Okay, one more!

And, beautiful. Pause first!

And stay!

I think pasarela is an art form.

And, move…

Again, step here and then neck!

-Yes! -Magic!

Smile!

She'll become a meme.

That was neck!

I'm tired, I want to choke her.

-It's part of the training. -Part of the training.

Ian brings out, you know,

the best catwalk in the candidates.

I grabbed my shorts.

Well, Ian…

Ian is a dream come true because

he's the best of the best in the industry at the moment.

And Ian used to be a really big pageant fan

back during Binibining Pilipinas' days.

So it's also a big full circle moment for him to be starting as a fan

and then to later on be training the best queens in the biz.

And I feel like, how he trains them,

he wants them to all have, like, their signature

either stride or signature turn or signature pose.

Ready, and Bukidnon!

Enter!

Natasha is Natasha.

She graduated in Bukidnon.

She lived and grew up in Bukidnon.

She's Miss Bukidnon!

What?

Slow reveal or fast reveal?

-Up to you! -It depends with the music also.

What's your personality?

Do you remove your scarf like this? Or like this?

Do you want to remove it like this?

Because I want to remove it like this.

Is that okay? Slow burn?

Like…

Like…

And then…

We can do that. Try it.

That's the music, honestly.

If it's snappy, I'll do it snappy.

No, no snappy for you, honey.

If it's "Raining in Manila," I'll do it--

No more snappy for you!

No more snappy for Christi.

She's been so snappy for the rest of her life.

So for Miss Universe, no snappy Christi.

-Side? -No side.

-Okay, so it's-- -Going there.

-Side… The way… -No, the other side.

There!

This way?

You don't like something clean?

You don't like something clean?

We can do that also but can we try in the shoot?

-Okay. -Then we're good to fit it.

Ever since before I joined, I knew

what I wanted to do with my national costume, if given the opportunity.

"Divine timing, stars aligning", whatever,

that I get to actually portray, artistically and conceptually, the sea.

Oh, my gosh, it's amazing.

I love it.

Oh, my God, it's giving.

I'll just need to practice with different shoes.

Yeah.

But it's all right because you can see it.

I mean, the scope of Miss Universe is really big.

And also, representing a country

and you making the national costume is a very privileged honor.

When I found out that Axel was doing a couple other girls, I was like, "Oh!"

"Who?" I was like, "Who?"

Stand up straight. Straight.

Yeah.

A little higher please! Yeah.

Oh, Stacey.

It's, like, interesting, you know?

'Cause Stacey's also a friend of mine, but I think also a frontrunner.

So knowing that he's dressing these, you know,

other more highlighted queens or competitors,

it was going to be interesting to see how he was going to make all of us different,

which he did.

And then slightly open your lips.

Exactly.

Of course, we are really glad.

It is very overwhelming that…

It's been a dream for Sultan Kudarat to be in mainstream.

It's so fun.

There's so much culture and everything.

People will literally dance for you and all of that.

So good!

That looks so good, I'm not going to lie!

Bye, Jasmine!

She is very cute. I will pray for her.

That's it. Once again, ladies and gentlemen, congratulations.

But another favorite of mine is when we went to different

tourist spots.

They were incredibly hospitable and so warm.

We're also doing a fashion show featuring Inaul fabrics and local designers.

In the swimsuit, I told you, if possible,

you can smile the whole time because it's fun.

So this time it should be fierce.

You can… You're on a runway.

So this is modeling.

It's not "pa-sweet."

Because a while ago, I saw Ms. Albay still doing a pageant pose.

You can try to do some variations.

Can you try, Voltaire?

Like that!

Let's go, Shamcey Supsup!

It's not flowy… It's flowy, but it's not long.

How…

The dress I was wearing during the parade.

Just like…

I remember, during Sultan Kudarat…

…I actually had no dress that I will wear for our event.

Because we had an event for a fashion show,

which we should wear metallic and flowy floral,

and I didn't have any of those.

That's the only dress I have.

What I wore in the parade, that's it.

This one?

-This one? -Actually,

-Flowy sure. -This one?

Flowy sure!

But I don't want that.

You're not that confident.

So the metallic dress, it came from my sister,

Miss Victoria, Victoria Velazques Vincent, from Bacoor.

She handed me that metallic dress.

And the floral flowy dress came from Matea from Florida.

So, meaning to say that even if it is a competition,

it won't feel like it because we help one another.

It was… Just felt…

so rewarding

to have these little kids come up to me and…

That again, was another one of those life-affirming moments.

That the work that you are doing is making a dent somehow

and you are inspiring little boys and little girls

to reach after their own dream, too.

Just by you being bold enough to reach yours.

Thank you!

VVV!

They were on their floats, parading around the city.

Even the girls are so amazed that they have fans in this part of the country.

You see families, you see kids, you see the dads, the moms,

some were even carrying their dogs.

So that really showed how much Filipinos support these women

and look to them as role models.

Some place like Sultan Kudarat,

mere mention of it, to a lot of people, they get scared.

Like, even for me, who hails from Mindanao and is not scared to travel in Mindanao,

there's still that fear.

That is something that is negative.

We have a clear sign of a societal illness.

Mindanao is also partly Muslim,

the peace and order, there will be fights there,

it's not safe, so…

A big pageant like Miss Universe Philippines going there

shows and tells people,

"Guys, it's okay. It's safe to go to."

You know, it's not only national costume here in Sultan Kudarat.

If I may say.

We are also doing the runway challenge,

one of the most important parts of the competition.

Do I remember?

It's not, like, ingrained in my memory or anything.

I'm not like seeing my therapist about it or anything like that.

Oh, my God, time crunch.

Yeah, runway challenge was not one of my hottest days.

Yeah, I wasn't feeling it that day.

Mama Angel!

There wasn't enough time to get ready.

I didn't have my personal glam.

I could just hear Mama Ru screaming…

Girls, three minutes.

And I was like, "I just sat down in this chair."

Honey.

Everyone, who is available to do hair?

Hair!

Girls, one minute!

Roll the tape, roll the tape,

and then I can just… Maybe I'll do voiceover.

I was feeling the pressure.

My hair wasn't finished.

My makeup wasn't finished, people were saying my dress is too long.

-Shit. -Yeah. That's…

-Excuse my french. -That about sums it up.

We're often pulled in a hundred different directions…

at once.

-Oh, my God! -Same, same, same.

You look great, though. You look great.

But they were like, "You can get ready until 8:00!"

-They gave us the most reassurance. -Like five minutes.

Oh, my goodness.

Mama A, is there a stylist that can sew this?

So, they said we were going to have 4:00 to 7:00 and when we got there…

We got here at like 6:00.

I was barefaced already.

Yeah, it's one of those situations, right,

that stretches you.

I almost broke down that day, which sucks because you never want to show weakness.

You don't want to mess up your makeup.

You're so strong.

So you have to back on that.

There were so many pockets of experiences throughout the competition

that allowed me to realize that pressure is a privilege.

Every girl is gonna go through

those peaks and valleys, hurdles and struggles.

You just always need to push forward and just know that

one step in front of the other and one challenge after the next.

So where you lack in one,

there's always going to be an opportunity to pick up in the next. But, yeah.

It's a script for the voiceover

while we walk, right, for the runway.

"Inspired by the town's legend of Jacinta,

this architectural floral piece depicts her splendid garden

with Caintas prolific putat flower taking center stage."

You think it's good?

Yeah, it fits, but the steel at the back is…

It's painful. So I have to request them to put something to protect my skin.

Because I know, later, it might get bruises.

Yeah. I'll wear this for around three hours so…

It's my first time wearing this.

We have this saying Tagalog that means,

"Tiis ganda," which means

"Beauty is pain".

I mean, if this isn't a testament to that then…

One of the most awaited parts of the competition is the national costume.

And this year was exceptional.

It showcases the creativity of our designers.

Represented by this beautiful woman from their town.

Those costumes are either heavy, difficult to maneuver and very hot.

We're all wearing these, like, super tight corseted,

you know, pieces and head pieces.

So you could actually lose five pounds by wearing it for the entire night.

Let's go now backstage.

One thing is I'm scared of spiders myself.

I was migraining so hard 'cause the head piece was, like,

digging into my scalp.

I told the girls around me,

you know, if I faint, just remove this because this is the culprit.

I was able to withstand it, but some weren't.

It was really difficult.

You just have to power through.

Babe, we got to go!

After hours and hours, it takes its toll on you physically.

Might have been the hardest part.

But, I mean, I survived.

Let's just stay here!

I forgot to smile.

I mean, there are 53 stunning costumes,

and they chose the three such deserving worthy costumes.

Southern California!

Tacloban!

Iloilo City!

For that night, we couldn't feel that they were tired at all.

They were carrying their costumes with pride,

getting strapped into big constructions.

And if you see our pictures, they're all smiling there.

So, really, hats off to the girls.

Very impressive.

But again, it's not part of the "actual" competition.

It has no bearing.

Well, I'm really happy to be able to come home here in Laguna

because the hectic schedule

that we've experienced there in Sultan Kudarat was really tiring.

I think I have sacrificed a lot.

Time, my business, my teaching career,

and, of course,

spending time with my cats, my family and my friends.

For you, sometimes, it may just be too much.

So it's important that they have to take care of their mental health as well.

But it's also important that you don't let the noise distract you.

That you don't let the noise…

confuse you.

We wanted to bring the delegates to Palawan

because we wanted to give them

this really unique opportunity to understand

just how much work and how challenging it is to produce a pearl.

But after ten years, we shift them with this golden leaf pearl.

The brand also was really respectful

in knowing that us girls needed time to…

breathe…

and to connect with nature and with one another.

Go, Kim!

Yes, girl!

…like a big spider.

I'm like, "Hey, Alexie!"

-I hit… -On the way to inside?

How big is big?

Like that!

-Shit! What did you do? -No way.

-It was huge. -The spirit of Alexie is haunting you.

Miss Brooks.

It's a very fulfilling moment.

Finally, if someone will tell me, "Is it sunrise or sunset?"

It's sunrise for me.

It's very serene. It's very beautiful to see

because it's just the start of your day,

to be thankful for that you have this life.

There was a room, did you see that?

They're all open.

I'll have a little a nap before we go down.

To nap before you go down.

That was a big turning point for me, Kim, and Chelsea, that we're all there.

I think that was a big moment where we all were reevaluating our "whys,"

and knowing that we were nearing the end of the competition,

and that it was crunch time,

and reminding ourselves to focus,

but also reminding ourselves to be grateful and to be present.

It was really nice to be there.

I prayed while it was happening.

I'm sure everyone thought that sleep was a really good option.

It's all right. We're the…

top three.

You know, I think that was one of the most special points,

or like definitely one of the highlights

of my entire Miss Universe Philippines journey.

Let's just see if I'm doing it right.

There's a lot of arm too.

-Not as much as mine. -But that's…

-That's better. -That's even better.

In my day-to-day life, outside of pageantry,

-I never wear extensions. -Yeah!

-I never wear extensions also. -I hate them so much, I…

-Only events. -I can never wait to take them out.

-All right, you ready, Dia? -I'm ready, let's go.

All right, let's go.

No, I said "Salamat," but with an accent.

"Salamat." Yeah, "Salamat."

It means "thank you."

It's my dialect.

You have to say it with an accent. How?

Salamat.

Legible, from space.

And then we pose somewhere.

-Right here. -Easy, easy.

-"M," right? -Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Girl! -Baby!

-I'm not good at "M"! -We're losing sunlight, ladies!

-Go big or go home. -That's enough now!

-That's big. -Okay!

-Nice! -Yes!

In the middle!

Girl, baby!

All right, V, let's see if it's legible from space!

-Go on, go on! -Is it legible?

Let's wave.

I think that was a big shifting point for a lot of us girls

who were in Palawan.

It gave us that added extra energy

and a revitalized boost to continue the rest of the competition

and to bond with one another.

I tell the delegates that the prelims sometimes determines…

the top five or the top ten, the winners.

And this is very crucial 'cause many…

Many of the girls who are not frontrunners,

or is not popular,

this is where they shine.

Because when the judges talk to them, they just don't look at their photos.

It's when they talk to you

and how they feel when they talk to you, it can change the game.

For the closed door interview,

I'm the one that really formulates, comes up with all the questions,

Jonas and I would have a discussion of

what type of questions I should gear towards.

'Cause there were times that we were questioned,

"Why aren't you asking difficult questions?"

"Why are you asking easy questions?"

I'm like, "No, they're not easy questions."

Any question is a difficult question when you're in front of a panel

in Miss Universe Philippines during a closed door interview.

They can ask your name and you can forget about it.

And then, maximum of five minutes per delegate, 45 seconds per question.

When you hear the bell, smile.

Forty-five seconds, done.

Not like talking too fast…

I just wanted to let you know…

Sir V!

I know!

I'm so proud of you.

I want to thank you.

Just remember to be yourself, to be you, be fun!

Don't go in there "pageant-mode"

and be like, "Hi, how are you? My advocacy is…"

We don't want that.

And I'm rooting for all of you.

Most of you.

It felt like, "Okay, now everyone is competitive."

Next, we have…

Kris Tiffany Janson, Cebu.

Breathe, breathe. I'll massage your back.

I believe that I'm ready and prepared to represent

the Filipino beauty and essence on a global stage.

So I have this with me.

This is an image of Sante Niño.

This is the image that we Cebanos celebrate.

And I always have this with me,

and hopefully it gave me the energy and the right mental state

during the Q and A.

And I was just, like, making an image that

this preliminary interview is like a job interview.

Here it already is.

Okay! This is it.

Next we have Chelsea Manalo from Bulacan.

When I got into the room, there's like a whole panel.

In my head, I'm like, "Why are we sitting down?

"And why is there a curve of judges just looking at you?"

And they're not even smiling. Are they hungry?

It's early. They might have been hungry, so…

As a child, you mentioned that you were bullied for your skin color and hair type.

But at 14, you suddenly became a model and praised for your beauty.

How did this impact your life and your growth?

It has impacted in so many ways.

My mother actually was, you know, who inspired me to be at myself.

She told me to always believe in myself.

No one will ever know who you are, if you, yourself,

know what you want, what you aspire to be.

And because of this, it has, you know, made me grow as a woman.

And as a model, it made me become more independent

because this is what I used as my income to provide for myself for college.

It gained more relationship with my friends,

with the people around me.

And here I am to be faced with all of these leaders in front of me,

you know, believing in myself, and I'm really excited for that.

You know? Thank you.

Chelsea, you look like a Disney princess.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Chelsea Manalo, Bulacan.

Thank you, everyone. Have a great day.

Thank you, guys.

Thank you, Sir Borg.

Sir Borg…

She's intelligent also.

Yay, babe!

-How are you? -It was amazing, Kimmy!

-It was amazing? Good! -It was amazing.

That's good. See? You didn't have to be so worried.

That was amazing. I am so happy.

Yeah? That's so good.

I'm just going to have to work it now

for the evening competition and the swimsuit competition.

And who knows what can happen after that.

As long as you're mostly excited.

I feel the feeling of being nervous and excitement…

-It's normal. -…is the same.

-Really? Yeah! -You don't know which one is it.

The problem was, of course,

what if your story is not as relatable as the other girl?

You know, just…

"I like her answer," but you don't know that

you just like her answer because you can relate to it.

As a survivor of domestic violence…

I was born two months early, so I developed a hearing impairment.

Even if my father's life has ended, his dreams for me should never end too.

The trick is really to show your personality and who you are.

You can go, "What did you have for breakfast?"

You can go, "Well, I had bacon, I had eggs."

Or, "Oh, my God, I had this most amazing breakfast!"

"It was so fantastic!"

So there's a way of being able to show who you are

and to be able to impress the judges without being too much,

with any kind of question.

Now we have Maria Ahtisa Manalo, Quezon Province.

Hello, everyone, good afternoon.

I came from very humble beginnings.

Kayla Jean Carter, Northern California.

So it is rare blood disorder,

and I had a situation in 2021 where I was bleeding profusely for 18 days

and I almost lost my life.

Stacey Daniella Gabriel, Cainta.

One of the shyest contestants.

Yeah.

No, yes. You're about to find out, Ms. Crystal. I'm very shy.

-Very good? -Yes!

I can finally collapse and take a breather now.

That was very nerve-wracking.

I know you did good.

-I got a little bit nervous. -You did?

I mean, it's natural, for sure, it's given.

But, like, I tend to, like, eat some words.

I don't think it's eat, like, mixed up some words.

I'm happy you're done.

Really, it boils down to judges' preference.

And it's very difficult already because it's very subjective.

But if you ask me

where things could go wrong…

at that point, I would say, maybe a big part can be the evening gown.

Because a gown can make it or break it.

So I have to rush it.

-With a sleeve. -I can't wait to see!

I'll show you.

I think fashion is very important in beauty pageants.

Because how else would you be able to,

like, showcase the physical attributes or the body structure of a delegate

without dressing her up?

Stacey, of course, I did not make any sketches whatsoever.

I just studied her.

I asked her to wear a particular gown and I checked what are her flaws.

Where I need to come in as a designer to, you know,

enhance or…

I mean, make the perfect pageant gown for her.

I was also thinking, Cousin Jim, what's up with the…

-Yes, tighten. -Tighten here, yeah?

I already have in my mind the one she wore in the prelims.

That was the black and silver, in lines.

So what I did with Stacey,

let's face it, she's on the petite side.

I want a dress that would make her look taller,

longer legs, longer torso.

So what I did, I choose a pattern that is

in vertical lines and I made a cut high-waisted

to give her an illusion of longer legs.

You see the cut, how it gave you a longer lower part?

And then to make this one, your torso,

look longer also, you have to, you know, open this one,

-show neck. -Yes. Yes.

It's a good thing you have a nice swan-like neck, you know.

-And the hair up. -Yes.

-So like this. -Yes.

So at least it, you know, gives you longer torso.

A dress can make a difference, but it doesn't define her destiny.

Okay, so Mark is not here.

They are a tandem.

Well, they're partners, they're life partners,

lovers in business.

Definitely, we feel the pressure in the studio.

Mark, me.

So, I told them my concept, I wanted it to be inspired,

-something related to the sea or nature. -Nature.

Something you don't see normally or expect on a pageant stage.

So…

Now it's just time to decide and then fit.

Yeah.

Do you think it's going to be overpowered? We can see.

It's fine. It adds a little… light under your…

A little, a glimmer of disco.

I've seen many partnerships of designers with delegates

that are really based on a friendship.

And when they wear it, they wear it with so much pride.

They wear it so much more beautifully

than somebody that they don't have a relationship with.

Should we add stones?

No.

No, no, no, no.

-No, no, no, no. -No!

I thought about it.

Okay.

-But it's going to be… -No for now.

-Until… -Until I see you tomorrow.

And you're, like, bedazzle the whole freaking thing.

Mark and Earl, they're just the best.

I'm, like, absolutely blessed that they were in my corner from the start.

Not only are they the top designers in the country,

but they're also my best friends, so…

I love them, so much.

What do you think, Earl?

She's going to down.

Does that hairstyle fit with the gown?

Relax your lips.

Put a little smile.

You're preparing for something evil.

Stand straight now, stand straight.

Bend.

The color was just divine, I just loved it so much.

It was just a gorgeous gown.

Giddy! I'm so happy!

Admittedly, I haven't done a proper training in a while,

but I've been training by myself at home.

The thing with me is, I feel like…

So sleep is a non-negotiable for me

because I believe that no matter how much you train,

if you don't get enough sleep, you still don't perform.

You have to be rested and recovered.

So let's see if that pays off today, hopefully!

It's showtime, baby! Let's go!

The judges are given all of the number or the names,

and then they will have to, like, score it during the preliminary interview.

And then during the night time, that's the time that they will judge them

during the swimsuit and the evening gown.

And then they will tally all those scores and they will have a ranking.

So if you get in, then that will be used in the finals.

It's a celebration of the women around the Philippines.

We all know that this is the most important part of the competition.

Everything matters this time from gown and everything.

So everything matters.

I'm rooting for Christi and Ahtisa and Stacey.

-Ahtisa Manalo. -Let's support Taguig!

And VVV, top four! I couldn't make up my mind.

Whatever happens, I know I did my best.

You better work.

That was it. Just, you know, "sissy" that walk.

And welcome to the preliminaries.

Who do you think will win tonight?

I was listening to RuPaul backstage,

just, like, trying to get my spice on.

Only our fastest.

Just so we can remove it safely.

I changed my look actually, I did, and I had straight hair.

And it wasn't a strategy for me,

rather than to just show a different side.

I think, by then, I was feeling momentum,

I was feeling hungry,

and I'm proud of what I did.

The evening competition or the evening gown also was a worry for me,

for my hair.

I was worried that my hair would get stuck in all of those jewelries

behind the back of my dress.

I was also listening to a lot of worship music.

You can see the duality, you know.

You gotta keep the balance between RuPaul and Jesus.

The poses that I decided to do are a little bit more

high fashion, avant-garde.

Fashion.

Tight?

Yes, it is so tight here. I can't lift up my leg.

How did you go up or down the stairs?

They had to help. I had to have to guys help me go back up the stairs.

-It was embarrassing. -Damn!

Who told you because you slipped you're not going to get part of…

What if they remember you because of that?

"She was the one that almost slipped."

Now I don't want to put any stones on my dress.

Remain seated as we proceed to the giving of our special awards.

The brands have zero influence when it comes to selecting who would be

able to advance in the competition.

At the end, it's really the judges' decision.

Those who win branded awards are just

contestants that really exhibit the brand attributes

of the specific sponsors involved.

Our Miss Creamsilk is you…

Iloilo, Alexie Brooks!

Our Miss Danielitos,

Quezon Province, Maria Ahtisa Manalo!

Miss Jewelmer,

Taguig, Christi McGarry!

Kemans, Bacoor!

Baguio, Tarah Valencia!

Quezon Province!

Taguig, Christi McGarry.

Miss Smiley is you,

Quezon Province, Maria Ahtisa Manalo.

Cebu, Kris Tiffany Janson!

Taguig, Christi McGarry!

Cavite!

Quezon Province!

Bacoor!

Bulacan, Chelsea Manalo.

Iloilo, Alexie Brooks.

Quezon Province.

Once again, Iloilo, Alexie Brooks

and Quezon Province, Maria Ahtisa Manalo.

You okay?

You okay?

Anita, you okay?

Good.

Rest your feet.

It's the most satisfying thing, huh?

I think it's taking off the heels and the lashes.

-My feet are off! -My feet are dying.

-Here's your sash. -Thank you, sister.

-Congratulations, girls! -You look amazing!

All right, good job, ladies! Good job!

Rehearsal tomorrow…

The one that caught my eye, during the preliminaries,

it was Christi.

Maybe because, you know, she was tall, very regal and classy.

My family, my dad, Grandma, my mom.

-Good job. -I'll be right back.

-I'm gonna get the awards. -Good job.

In pageantry, you have to have goldfish memory.

Nothing that happened yesterday matters today.

I think it's just, like, hard not to get discouraged,

especially when, you know, you're not being featured or

you're not being picked up.

Obviously, people like me in person.

Like, we have a conversation, we have a laugh,

and then we share stories, and, you know, it's all good.

But then, you know, that's what's kept inside the room.

I would be lying if I said it didn't affect me negatively.

It's hard not to listen to all the outside voices

and, you know, the opinions and…

Whatever these people want to say or think.

"She won Miss Supermodel, but she's a bit chubby now."

It's like that, so…

This happens throughout every single pageant.

Every girl goes through…

this really strong, intensive, internal struggle and battle,

outside voices and opinions.

They don't know me.

Have they seen me? No.

These are everything that they just see online,

and it's so easy to speak…

with a mask on.

It really affects everything.

Even the performance sometimes. It would…

It's a super complicated climate to navigate,

especially for girls doing it for the first time.

I know that it's normal.

Bashing is normal, especially here in the Philippines.

We always thought that having dark skin is not beautiful,

having curly hair is not beautiful.

I'm not followed as much as some of the other girls are,

but what really bothers me is the bashing behind Alexie.

Especially some of the comments can be really harsh,

and it's comments that can be said about me,

but they're only said about her because she's more popular.

Did you see the comments from the race?

The very first…

I felt like 60% of the comments that I read had to do with my color.

And then they comment about, "You're doing this too much."

I was like, "I'm representing for you."

I'm representing for every people out there that looks like me

and someone that has the same complexion as me

would tell me that I'm too black. I'm like…

What?

Have you looked in the mirror today, at least ever?

Someone said, "She's too muscular, she shouldn't do pageant,

she should have done bodybuilding."

Babe, I worked out for this body, 23 years.

Did you try to run today?

And also, have you tried to do an Alexie ab workout?

-That is hard. -Exactly!

Hi.

-Good morning, Alexie. -Good morning.

So, you mentioned that for most of your life,

you have been running away from so many things.

Having experienced a totally different type of competition

in Miss Universe Philippines,

what or where do you see yourself running towards?

It is true that I've been running away my whole life

from the people who bullied me.

I was someone who constantly got bullied because of my skin.

I didn't have no family growing up.

And we were so poor that I remember those days

that I barely had money to eat or have a lunch to eat in school.

Until I realized that instead of me running away from my bullies,

that I should chase after a dream.

And then I realized one time that I opened a TV

and I saw Miss Venus Raj and she showed the representation.

After that specific moment, I realized I want to join Miss Universe.

So that's what I think is what I'm running up to.

Thank you so much, Alexie Brooks.

-Thank you. -Iloilo City.

Thank you.

Sometimes you can act strong

because people expect you to be…

to not care about what other people think, but, actually, we all care.

It's natural to care.

At the end, it's like people are going to have…

They can say whatever they want to say. You can't control that.

Okay, when it comes to the whole bashing and comments,

I also don't really look too much on it.

And if I see something,

I kind of laugh on it.

I don't care about the haters that much.

Obviously, you don't know me.

You don't know any of us. You're not with us every day.

And if you feel the need to comment on what we look like or who we are

without even knowing, like, who we truly are,

then you're like a little person that doesn't deserve my time. You know?

What frustrates me the most is,

the little kid out there that looks exactly like me,

that is so scared of trying because they see what I'm going through.

We are focusing on…

production number opening.

Okay? Goodluck!

Charisma, uniqueness, nerve to T.

I'm bringing home the winning crown.

Four and twist, right, left, right and…

Not all of us are dancers here.

Yeah you are. You're fierce.

I wanted to be there during the rehearsals

because I know that that's the time

when there's a lot of the freaking out happens.

You want to get the crown?

One, two, three, four!

You just wait till we put heels on.

Yeah, that'll be funny.

This is probably my favorite part of the whole journey.

I'm a Filipina!

Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, Iloilo City!

Ysabel Macuja, Manila!

Okay, it's very important, when you say your name,

it shouldn't go up.

Mama J is watching.

So…

Okay to prolong the name, but you're…

China!

What's your name again?

Maica Mart…

Maica Martinez!

Like, "Martinez!" That's very… Sorry, guys, that sounds very provincial.

-Okay. -Okay?

"Maica Martinez."

-"Nueva Ecija!" -"Maica Martinez!"

"Nueva Ecija!"

-Okay, go! -Mary Rose Andal Guiral, Naic!

Okay, okay.

Tarah Valencia, Baguio!

"Tarah Valencia!"

"Tarah Valencia! Baguio!"

Alexandra Rosales.

"Alexandra Rosales! Laguna!"

Alexandra Rosales.

-You know… -Alexandra Rosales.

Alexandra Rosales.

Yes!

But louder. You can shout it, okay?

Girls, listen.

So remember, during that night, people will be shouting.

Because you might not hear your voices.

That's why Miss China sounded like this.

They can't hear themselves.

People are shouting, the whole auditorium. So…

Louder than the Miss Philippines pageant.

In Miss Universe, super loud.

So I want you to practice that.

So you won't become a meme forever, okay?

So…

Your call-time for tomorrow is 7:00 a.m.

This is my sister and my mom.

Hey!

Hi.

Hello.

-Hi to everyone. -This is their children.

So, those moments, when we go up at like 2:00 a.m.,

to leave Palawan and go to the bus,

like, we were going in the boat and it was pure darkness

and we could just see the stars and the waves were rolling.

I was like, "How am I here?"

And I actually… That's where, at like 2:00, 3:00 a.m.,

I wrote my answer to why…

I believe I would be the next Miss Universe Philippines.

That's when it, like, came to me.

I think it was just the fact that I went through the experience of,

you know, pushing down my emotions…

so much.

To, like, the point…

where I thought that,

like, the world would have been…

better off without me.

Like my family and stuff.

You know, like I don't want anyone to, like, feel that way.

'Cause if, you know,

the people at work didn't notice that I wasn't okay…

and say like, "I think you need to go to the doctor and get some help."

Like, I don't know what…

I could have done.

-Sorry. -It's okay, they're good.

Are you crying?

-Yeah. -No!

It's the eyeliner, I swear.

So I just want to put attention onto that

and, like, if I can help people be seen and heard.

Like, make people realize that,

you know, you're not alone.

You don't have to be,

but we need to support each other and recognize it in others.

That's why

it really pushes me forward to talk about it.

We made it come alive!

And when I say "we," I mean you.

Exactly what's on the sketch.

My heart is burning.

I have never experienced this

in my 30 years in this industry.

These girls were here before 9 o'clock.

9:00!

Then it was 9:30.

9:45.

Not 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 1:30!

Come on!

I'm lost with words.

And disappointed more than anything.

Thank you! Thank you, girls, for being here early.

I really honor all of you.

Thank you. In spite that you're tired, you're not feeling well.

That, for me, what is Miss Universe is all about.

That's all that I can say.

Thank you.

There are group routines involved, like the opening number

or the walking sequences of the top five or the Q and A.

And if you're not committing yourself

to understanding and making sure you know these routines, it means…

you're probably not expecting to make it very far, do you?

I mean, that's rude of me to say, but…

But granted, you know what?

I don't blame anyone if they were not there, present or late,

because the competition has been grueling.

I mean, we're talking about…

months of lack of sleep.

That's so mentally and physically and emotionally demanding,

that some people don't have the strength to take it three months in a row.

Faster, please. Again, Cainta, go back, and do it faster.

Go back there. Do it faster.

Again!

I'm so frustrated on what you were doing last night!

Posing there for so long…

It's your moment and all,

but you cannot do that during the finals, please.

Okay? We will call the next girl and ask you to leave.

Where is Zambales? She turned here.

Then she went down and then she turned again.

No!

This is not a small baranggay pageant, please.

This is Miss Universe, okay?

Don't make this a baranggay pageant.

Okay?

Is that understood? No unnecessary poses or anything else.

Because the floor director will go up to you and tell you to exit.

Is that clear, girls?

The others are taking so long.

They are still in the front even when the director

is instructing them to go out.

Okay, that's why we're talking and discussing about this.

Some girls still don't want to go out.

So, please,

give us a good show.

I mean, they don't do that in Miss Universe.

My team said to use my prelims gown.

What?

What?

No, no, no, no!

-The prelims gown. -No!

We will look for another gown for you.

All of them, because they are crowded there.

Okay.

Is there someone missing? Who is it?

Everything is set. Tomorrow we'll set the lights for you,

the stage, audience, and the rest is really up to you,

for real, girls. Yeah?

It's really up to you, yeah?

And it's the most awaited event.

So, I mean, this is like…

When I turn off the lights, like, everybody just like…

Sleep tight, girls. You deserve it.

Thank you!

And…

up!

And left!

Establish, right!

Feel it.

And change in front!

And go!

If you want to do your turn like what you did in the prelims, fine!

But that's not yet the Kris Janson signature move.

So stay!

And… go!

Press.

There you go.

Then, on the shifting of the fabric.

Yes, the fabric.

And twist. And step.

Yes!

I feel constipated.

It's the…

It's the emotions, everything.

Now,

I think I need to go,

but I can't.

I'll just…

Is it live?

I would tell them, it's done.

It's your graduation day.

Don't let the nerves trick you into thinking you don't know how to do this.

You've practiced day in and day out. You know what to do.

Stick to the plan.

Nothing else you can do to change the results.

There's already a top 20, and you don't know if you're part of it.

I always say, if this is for me, it's for me.

And if it's not, it's going to be a harsh rejection,

but there's another door that will open after this one closes.

If just one person makes a mistake, everyone is affected.

It's good this happened. The performance will be more successful.

It just felt like all roads are leading to this one day.

That this was literally it.

All my eggs were in one basket.

Come one, let's come closer.

And then I want you to, like, tap each other's back.

Sisters.

It's been four months.

You're allowed to cry now because you don't have your make up on yet!

It's been four months that we've been together.

You have been together to…

perform sisterhood.

-Yes. -Continue the legacy.

This four months…

forever changed your life.

You'll never forget this for the rest of your life. All right?

So nourish every moment later.

And tonight, we celebrate not self-confidence,

but God confidence.

-Yes! -All right? It's for God.

Let's bow our heads. Lord, we lift this up to you.

It's according to your will.

Just guide us as we walk down the runway.

As we, as us, production, do this show, Lord.

Thank you.

We pray this in Jesus' mighty name.

-Amen. -Amen.

-God bless. Go! -Thank you, Direc.

Go conquer, girls!

Thank you, Direc!

Universe, you ready?

And my feet literally turned black and blue from loss of circulation.

And then the girls saw, and they were yelling at me.

They were like,

"Take off your shoes right now. Your feet are gonna fall off."

"Let's go, Leyte, let's go!"

Laguna!

Four minutes, girls, four minutes!

We traveled for almost five hours from Zambales to here.

Be present! Okay? Love you!

I'm so emotional!

Congratulations in advance, and we're all so proud of you.

-Congrats. Thank you for doing this. -Thank you!

I'm so grateful to be here with you all. In Jesus' name.

Amen!

Good evening, Philippines!

Tarah Valencia,

Baguio!

Alexandra Rosales,

Laguna!

And so after the opening number, straight to the first cut.

Now it's time for the top 20 announcement.

I actually held Alexie's hand and I told her,

"I hope I can make it to top 20."

And she was like, "I know you'll make it. We'll make it."

Congratulations, You are now part of the top 20.

Nueva Ecija!

Iloilo!

Leyte!

Hawaii!

Tacloban!

Pampanga!

United Kingdom!

Quezon Province!

Palawan!

Bacoor!

Northern California!

Baguio!

Zambales!

You are a step closer to the crown.

I was in the middle. I'm like, "Please call my name."

And that level, you're going to actually question,

"Why are you not picking me at all?"

Cebu!

Cainta!

Taguig!

Laguna!

Australia!

Bulacan!

To complete our top 20 is…

Pasig!

MOA Arena, let's give a round of applause to our top 20!

Then you change to the swimsuit competition.

But running back to the backstage, you don't even know what to feel anymore

because you have mixed emotions.

So, when you have the top 20,

then all the other girls will just be part of the show.

They're not going to be part of the competition.

-On to the next journey. -Yeah!

"Binibining Pilipinas!"

Running back to the backstage,

you can see, you know,

some of the other girls that didn't make it to the top 20.

And you can see some who are crying,

some who are already packing up and changing into a different attire.

And they are not just that happy.

Guys, we're free!

Winners, last two minutes! Go, go, go!

The top 20 will do the swimsuit competition,

the judges will score,

get top 10.

Just given my experience and, you know,

the dedication that I think that most people saw

and the effort that I put into my running,

I think I deserve to be in top 20, for sure.

Pampanga!

Get to top 20, that was like, "Okay, this is my A-game now."

"You just have to do, or perform, well now."

When you're here, then look at this camera,

and then exit forward. Entry batch one.

Are you playing it safe and not turning 'cause they might dot points off?

But we got to turn!

We got to turn, bro.

-This is a show! -Yeah, it's a show!

They're not going to do that.

Stay closer, stay closer, stay closer!

The journey of 10 out of our top 20 delegates will end now

as we announce the top 10.

You are a step closer to the crown.

Cebu!

Iloilo!

Bulacan!

Taguig!

Bacoor!

Of course.

Pampanga!

Quezon Province!

Cainta!

Zambales!

The last delegate advancing to the top 10 is you…

Baguio!

I'm always like, "Whoever wins, it's her time."

"I'm happy already."

My feet hurt so bad!

My feet hurt so much.

I still felt fairly confident that I would make…

top 10.

I did.

After swim, I felt proud of myself.

Because people, like I mentioned, were judging me on my pasarela prior.

Especially in swimsuit, when they want more flirtatious.

Thee quote is, like, "more hips, more va-va-voom."

And I think I gave it to them.

The top ten will do the evening gown, the judges will score,

you get the top five.

Kimmy!

So, in no particular order,

this is your Miss Universe Philippines top five.

I mean, in that moment, you're just floating.

You're just on a cloud.

Go Taguig!

Maybe Kris can have

a bit more relatability to what I was feeling,

because at our age, I put everything on the line.

There's no going back, I'm not going to do this again.

I've put my eggs in one basket, like I mentioned.

The first delegate in the top five is…

Quezon Province!

You still have a chance to win the crown…

Baguio!

Please step forward because you are advancing to the final round…

Cainta!

Two spots left and one of them belongs to…

Bulacan!

Behind me were still my batch sisters.

I know there was Kris, but there was also Alexie and VVV,

who were very heavy front runners,

very worthy candidates for the crown.

And now, one spot left, just one!

And to know that all four of us were still wanting our name to be called,

I was freaking out.

I was freaking out.

Completing our top five is…

Taguig!

I did immediately feel for them as soon as I was called.

I was grateful, but I immediately felt for the girls behind me.

Just 'cause I knew that possibly,

a few seconds before, it could've been me.

I almost cried, just tears of joy and gratitude that I…

At least gave me the opportunity to, you know, to try to eat the mic.

That's where I thought my strongest suit was going to be.

When they called my name to top five, I was like,

"Oh, my God, Lord, I'm in top five."

"Please give it to me."

There's no time to rest because about to happen now is

the question and answer segment.

There's the form, how you say it, and the content.

It has to merge together.

Each of you will pick a question,

and you have 30 seconds to deliver your answer.

Because of all those trainings,

girls would always have a prepared answer.

Answers that are…

That doesn't really answer the question but sounds good.

What is the biggest lesson that you've learned from another woman,

and how did it improve your life?

It doesn't work for them.

The answer is already good,

but since you had to insert something to make it impactful,

it didn't even connect.

Now tell us about how you have inspired another woman.

My grandmother put me through school.

And the biggest lesson I have learned from her is to always be kind.

I've been told many times that I am too short to join a beauty pageant.

I was told that beauty is…

Has a standard, actually.

The Tarah before is someone who doesn't really limit…

Who really limit herself when it comes to her achievements.

Standing in front of you today,

I can encourage women that you too can stand up.

And tonight, I am not only representing myself,

but every Filipino woman who sees themselves in me.

Uphold the values that you have in yourself.

And you can own your own destiny, like I plan to tonight.

There was just something about that night that I felt really good about.

-I am so, so proud of you. -How do you guys feel?

How do you feel about your Q and A?

I kind of hit the bell, but…

-No, but… -It's okay. I did too.

I hit the bell, but I'm like, "Thank you." Like…

Thank you! Thank you!

Am I rehearsing you already?

I prayed so hard at the backstage to just,

"Lord, please, just please give it to me."

"Just give me that crown."

We've done… We've done everything we can.

It's out of our hands.

And now, back to the competition.

The moment we've all been waiting for…

is here.

When I was on top five,

I somehow thought it was gonna be

Ate Christi from Taguig.

We'll be like me and her, together.

I thought, "Oh, my God, I think it's gonna be her."

"You know, I think it's gonna be her."

There's no other feeling in the world like it.

That anticipation, that anxiety.

This is it. Will I, you know, capture my dream or not?

Our Miss Universe 2024,

fourth runner-up is…

Taguig!

Miss Universe Philippines 2024,

third runner-up is…

Baguio!

Our Miss Universe 2024,

second runner-up is…

Quezon Province!

We were saying how much we just loved each other.

Because she's my ate, like my sister.

I wanted to remember exactly how it felt to be in that moment on that stage.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the moment of truth.

Our Miss Universe Philippines 2024 is…

Bulacan!

This is it! Please take your first walk as…

Miss Universe Philippines 2024!

You did it!

I didn't know how to feel, but I was saying in my head,

"I wish I can see my parents, right now, at this moment."

"Because finally, Lord, you answered my prayers."

"This isn't just a dream,

but a prayer for my parents and a dream for my parents also."

So, when her name was called,

it was just so instinctual and natural for me to…

hold her in an embrace because I was thrilled for her.

And then I found my way to the back and that was when I…

I grieved my loss, you know. I grieved my dream.

I mean, my heart sunk to the floor.

Felt like my…

Yeah, it felt like my world had crashed in on me.

I was the first to be escorted off, so I was completely alone backstage.

But I will admit, being called first out of the top five, or just like…

It was… Like…

It just like… It was… It hurt.

Yeah, it was a pain that I also wasn't expecting.

Some girls are gonna go home to their provinces.

Some of the girls from the other countries will go back to their countries.

And being with them every day for months

is something that you get used to.

And that's part of what made me a little bit sad.

Ma!

Surprise!

I have a lot of things that I've been doing before joining.

So I need to go back to that because that's my bread and butter.

My business went down, like,

it's either break even or I lose something.

That's for three months.

And then, my teaching load was removed for this term.

I was…

promoting…

a gambling sponsor.

And they are students.

They're my students. I'm their teacher, so…

I have an influence.

That's why I lost my…

teaching. But it's sad that I need to post it like that.

My family is not that well off.

So everything that I own now,

or every success that I have experienced now is…

mostly our hard work.

And that's why even a simple achievement that I was able to get,

I actually consider it "doing well."

Bye-bye!

All right, there is my briefing.

Win or lose,

I feel like I'm at a stage in my life where I'm mature enough to accept that.

I feel like I'm already coming out more wise and more grateful.

A little late.

Just…

I think my "why" was still always to, one, make the Filipino people proud,

to be a role model and a spokesperson for the Philippine people.

I still think I can do that.

I just won't have the easiest or fastest route to reaching the people

or the amount of people or the capacity that I wanted to if I had won.

Christi McGarry, your Miss Universe Philippines fourth runner-up.

A lot of girls are qualified to be a Miss Universe Philippines.

But do you have the heart…

to take that role?

Congratulations!

Thank you so much, Sir V.

Thank you everyone for making it here.

Finally your La Bulaqueńa,

your Miss Universe Philippines 2024 is here.

You know, we've been colonized and it was instilled in our minds

that it has to be mestizo, mestiza.

And the whiter you are, the prettier you are.

So to see her become the first Black Filipina in Miss Universe Philippines…

There was a shift.

…it really opens up the eyes and the minds of Filipinos.

That there are these beautiful Black Filipinas

who are symbols of beauty as well.

You know, Alexie always throws me around, it's so annoying!

That's why I don't like being next to her!

So, this is the sash. It's Miss Universe Philippines.

It can be like this,

like that, or like this.

Like this or like this.

She's always been true to who she was.

She's always been true to herself.

This is my crown.

Always taking good care of it. Otherwise, I am dead.

It's not an easy role.

They're going to be invited to so many events, activities.

You say yes to everything.

The whole community will, you know, be cheering you on.

You know, we're so grateful that,

you know, you took the time to come here today.

It's like you never stop with the competition.

It's gonna be harder now,

because now you're not just representing your province,

you're representing the Philippines, so the pressure is there.

And everybody will be watching you, every day, until you compete.

I think we have a big chance in Miss Universe.

Who will be competing in Mexico with me is my close sister, Christina Chalk

but, of course, she is going to represent Great Britain in Miss Universe.

I'm very excited for it, I'm so proud of what she did.

Their professionalism, their attitude this year,

was outstanding.

This is what my parents have always told me, day one until now.

That whatever it is that you do in life, where life takes you, good or bad,

keep your feet on the ground, but dream big.

So even if I am wearing Miss Universe Philippines,

I am still keeping that same feet on the ground,

but I am dreaming big, that finally and soon,

we can win Miss Universe.