CASA alumna Angelique Manto finishes 2nd runner-up in Miss Universe PH 2023

Photo from Angelique Manto's Facebook page

Thriving proudly in the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 centerstage is UST-Communication Arts Students’ Association (CASA) alumna Mary Angelique Manto, as she finishes her MUPH journey as this edition’s 2nd runner-up. This year's Miss Universe Philippines took place yesterday, May 13, 2023, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and was broadcasted by ABS-CBN.

Before snatching everyone’s attention in the pageantry scene, Manto was a courtside reporter for the University of Santo Tomas in UAAP Seasons 78 and 79. A loud and proud CASAn in her own right, she then earned her Communication Arts Degree way back in 2016. 

Angelique's full performance

Out of the 38 final delegates, Manto strutted her way to the competition’s Top 18; stunning the crowd with her pasarela in the swimsuit portion and her striking evening gown look by designer Frederick Policarpio. 

Pampanga’s representative made her way into the pageant’s Top 5, with two rounds of the Question and Answer segment. In the first Q&A portion, her question from Judge Annette Gozon-Valdes was:

"There were calls by some sectors to ban movies and TV shows that portray the Philippines in a bad light. Should we? Why or why not?"

I believe that in every aspect there are two things, there are the good and the bad. But it's in the matter of how we receive the images that we are sharing about the Philippines. We always share the good, the beauty there is in the Philippines. But we must also accept that in every aspect, there is the bad, and we must learn and grow from that and improve the country that we are in. Hopefully, we see Philippines for the good and the bad and celebrate that and allow us to appreciate the country we are in.

The final round of the Q&A portion, which consists of the same question for all candidates, asked the question: 

"Recently, the Department of Tourism has adopted a new branding campaign: 'We give the world our best.' For you, what is the best that we could offer to the rest of the world? Why do you consider it so?" 

I come here not just sharing my story but the multitude of stories that we have yet to hear, especially for those who are struggling in mental health. I believe the best that we could do and we could share is to remember and to remind everyone of the humanity in us, the empathy that has been inside of us all along, and to unlock it so that we could provide more humanity in humanity. The best way to share that is to allow people safe spaces for mental health so we could further this advocacy more.

 

Photo from Philippine Star's Twitter Page

Manto clinched the 2nd runner-up placement for Pampanga, while Zambales’ candidate Christine Opiaza landed on the 1st Runner-up spot. 

On the other hand, Bohol’s Pauline Amelinckx and Baguio’s Krishna Gravidez were crowned Miss Supranational Philippines and Miss Charm Philippines respectively in a separate coronation after the event. 

Makati’s bet Michelle Marquez Dee is the Philippines’ next representative in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant which will be held in El Salvador later this year.

Exemplifying UST CASA as loudest and proudest, the whole CASAn and Thomasian community is immensely thrilled in extending their warmest congratulations to Ms. Mary Angelique Manto!