Emosyonal ang pagbabalik ni Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi sa Pilipinas matapos irepresenta ang bansa sa ika-71 na edisyon ng Miss Universe pageant.
Sa kaniyang Instagram post, ibinahagi ni Celeste ang isang artwork ng kaniyang sarili suot ang Darna-inspired national costume.
Ibininahagi ng beauty queen na isang malaking karangalan para sa kaniya ang maging kinatawan ng Pilipinas sa nasabing pageant.
“I’m finally back home," aniya sa kaniyang IG caption.
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"The entire year has been the most challenging, and yet most exciting time of my life."
"To represent my country, The Philippines, is my greatest honor."
"I’ve always had the burning passion for my country, I was always very curious about The Philippines with its Islands, People and Culture and I will continue the pursuit of my Filipina Identity. I challenged myself and stepped out of my comfort zone by flying here alone as a very young woman. I’ve always known by heart that there are NO limits in what you can achieve as long as you are committed to the vision and your intentions are pure, as I have done by pushing myself beyond my limits in the services of my advocacies, training, and learning."
"I am discovering purposes that goes beyond my self ambitions and I am immensely grateful to have had the chance to represent all Filipinos and all the sweet fans of pageantry around the world."
Nagpasalamat din si Celeste sa mga lahat nang tumulong sa kanya sa kanyang Miss Universe journey.
“To my team, thank you for being my safe place. You all believed in me more than anyone else and I am honored to be a part of this family."
"To my fans, I feel your love, I hear your support, and I see your messages everyday. I now believe that my purpose is to inspire, and I will NEVER stop inspiring and motivating all of you, with or without the Universe Crown. I am committed."
"To my family and loved ones, thank you for never leaving my side. I wouldn’t know what to do without you. I am the luckiest person in the world and even tho I don’t express it as much as I would want to, just know I truly love you."
"To my country, I stand PROUD to be a Filipina."
"To my father, you guided me up to this day, you still are and will always do. I feel your protection. If you are redirecting me to a different path, to what is truly meant for me, I trust you and I know I still am in the right place at the right time. Thank you , my guardian angel."
Sa huling bahagi ng madamdaming post ni Celeste, sinabi niya na habambuhay siyang Miss Philippines.
Marami ang nagulat nang hindi makapasok sa semi-finals si Celeste sa Miss Universe na nagdulot ng mga usapin kung ano nga ba ang dapat gawin ng Miss Universe Philippines Organization sa mga susunod na edisyon ng pageant para makasungit muli ang bansa ng korona.
Ang pagkaka-laglag ni Celeste sa Top 16 ng Miss Universe ay unang beses mula 2010 noong sumabak si Maria Venus Raj at sa loob ng labingdalawang taon, palaging pasok ang mga kandidata ng bansa sa semi-finals at dalawang beses pang nanalo sa pageant: 2015 noong panahon ni Pia Wurtzbach at 2018 noong panahon naman ni Catriona Gray.
Kinoronahan namang bagong Miss Universe ang Filipino-American na si R’bonney Gabriel mula USA.
