As the year 2023 comes to a close with the 72nd edition of Miss Universe just around the corner, we are taking a look back at the longest placement streak for Philippines at the Miss Universe pageant over a decade.
Philippines has always been one of the strongest delegations at the Miss Universe competition, with a total of four wins and a streak of placements consectuively for 11 years. Let us take a look at the stunning Filipinas who have waved and raised the country’s flag high on the international stage from 2012. The streak began in 2010 with Venus Raj winning 4th Runner-up position and Shamcey Supsup winning 3rd Runner-up position and broke in 2022 when Celeste Cortesi remained unplaced.
Miss Universe Philippines 2012 Janine Tugonon
Janine Mari Raymundo Tugonon is a Filipino model, TV presenter, actress and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2012. She represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2012 pageant and placed 1st Runner-Up. Tugonon was the only Asian to place in the Top 5. Philippines placed in the Top 5 for the third consecutive year.
After her reign as Miss Universe Philippines, Janine went to the US to try her luck in modelling. The diva who left Philippines to try her luck in the Hollywood as an actress is flourishing as someone who shows immense dedication and determination towards her career.
Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ariella Arida
Ariella Arida is a dedicated Filipino who earned the right to represent her country Philippines in Miss Universe 2013 and managed to secure herself as the 3rd runner-up in the contest. She also bagged the Ice Princess award on the winter-themed glam shot.
Philippines placed in the Top 5 for the 4th consecutive year. Arida was also the only delegate representing an Asian country to place in the Top 5. Prior to winning the title, Ara competed at Miss Philippines Earth 2012and was a former Binibining Laguna contestant. However, it does not put an end here, she is a Filipino fashion model and television personality.
Miss Universe Philippines 2014 Mary Jean Lastimosa
Mary Jean Lastimosa is one of the beauties, who got a chance to be a part of Miss Universe 2014 and represent her country Philippines where she procured her position in the Top 10, continuing the placement streak of the Philippines in Miss Universe.
Popularly known as MJ, she is a Filipino engineer, host, actress and TV presenter. Prior to Miss Universe 2014, she was placed as 2nd runner-up in Binibining Pilipinas 2011 and once again she entered and was placed under Top 12. Lastimosa appeared in Binibining Pilipinas 2014 and won the title of Miss Universe Philippines 2014 after her third attempt.
Miss Universe Philippines 2015 Pia Wurtzbach
The first Filipina to bring home the crown of Miss Universe in four decades, Wurtzbach is a professional model, actress, host and TV personality. She joined Binibining Pilipinas pageant three times, and won in 2015 in her third attempt.
After becoming Miss Universe 2015, she returned to ABS-CBN after signing a two-year exclusive contract. She appeared as a guest host in ASAP and the co-host of World of Dance Philippines with Luis Manzano. Pia’s win was also one of the most iconic moments in pageant history as at the end of the show, host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutiérrez as the winner. However, after Gutiérrez's crowning, Harvey returned to the stage and stated that he had misread the results and that Wurtzbach was really Miss Universe 2015.
Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina
Maria Mika Maxine Perez Medina is a Filipino designer, actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder who represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant and finished as a Top 6 finalist.
At the preliminary competition, Medina debuted her 'alta' walk which involved rolling the shoulders in perfect sync with the gliding of hips. In 2017, the diva kickstarted her acting career. In 2018, she made her television debut on ABS-CBN after joining the cast of Hanggang Saan as Atty. In 2020, she transferred to both TV5 Network via Brightlight Productions's Sunday 'Kada and GMA Network for First Yaya as Lorraine.
Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters
Rachel Louise Peters-Villafuerte is a Filipino-British model, host, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2017. She represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2017 pageant and finished as a Top 10 semifinalist, , continuing the streak of the Philippines at 8th-straight finalist placement. Win or no win, this Filipina beauty conquered the heart of all through par excellence in this competition and the whole world is proud of her accomplishment.
Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray
Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray is a Filipina-Australian model, singer, beauty queen, television host, youth advocate, and arts ambassador best known for having been crowned Miss Universe 2018. She was the fourth Filipina to win the Miss Universe competition.
Gray is currently working in an organization called Young Focus Philippines in Tondo, Manila since May 2016. She is also working in other organizations like Love Yourself Philippines and Smile Train. Gray's advocacies over the years have focused on women's rights as well as cultural promotion, particularly through the ‘One Town, One Product’ (OTOP) project of the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry.
Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados
A Filipino fashion model, Gazini Ganados was crowned Binibining Pilipinas 2019. She represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2019 pageant and finished as a Top 20 semifinalist along with the Best National Costume award.
At the national costume competition, Ganados wore a Philippine eagle-inspired ensemble with two life-sized birds on each shoulder. The creation was hand-stitched with laser-cut patterns. Gazini advocated for elderly care and HIV and AIDS research at the Miss Universe 2019 competition.
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo
Rabiya Mateo represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2020 pageant and finished as a top 21 semifinalist. She is a Filipino actress and model. The diva who made the entire Philippines proud shared that joining pageantry has helped her a lot in building up her character and the competition is a test of character and faith.
Even though Rabiya Mateo was not able to secure a top spot at Miss Universe 2020, she was one of the most popular and favourite delegates for the win and has surely managed to make the Filipinos proud.
Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez
Creating history as the first openly bisexual beauty queen from Philippines, Beatrice Luigi Gomez finished in the Top 5 of the recently concluded Miss Universe 2021 pageant. She is a Filipino model, community development worker, athlete, military sergeant, and beauty queen.
Recently, the diva has has started a relief campaign with the help of Simply Share Foundation, Inc. They have collected more than hundred and fifty thousand pesos that they can use for aid. She and her team are already planning for a mass feeding program in the coming days.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee
While no placement was won in 2022, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee represented her country at Miss Universe 2023 and with her stellar performance, she placed in the Top 10. She was also the winner of the Best in National Costume award. Dee is also only the second Filipina to win both the Miss World Philippines and Miss Universe Philippines crowns, after Catriona Gray.
Not new to the pageant world as well, Michelle was crowned Miss World Philippines in 2019. She represented her country at Miss World in the same year where she finished in the Top 12, held in London. She also went onto compete at Miss Universe Philippines 2022 where she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines Tourism 2022.