According to LOOK: Celeste Cortesi shines at the 71st Miss Universe preliminary competition (inquirer.net), Celeste Cortesi displayed her fierce passion to win the Philippines' fifth Miss Universe crown on Thursday at the preliminary phase of the pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States.
On Thursday, January 12, 85 contestants represented their respective nations at the Miss Universe preliminary round. The introduction, evening gown, swimsuit, and national costume competitions are all part of the preparatory stage of the pageant.
The contestants displayed their wit at the pageant's closed-door interview last January 11 before the preliminary competition. The highly anticipated 71st Miss Universe coronation night will take place on January 14 (the morning of January 15, PST), where Harnaaz Sandhu of India will crown her successor.
According to LOOK: Celeste Cortesi shines at the 71st Miss Universe preliminary competition (inquirer.net), The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) stated that the contestants had to customize a blank cape with images associated with their nations.
The inspiration of Cortesi's cape was her participation in a Save the Children Philippines outreach activity in Marawi City. She introduced that it was a work that magnifies the "voices of the youngsters who need our support" in a statement issued by the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) organization.
Oliver Tolentino, a Filipino fashion designer, created Cortesi's sky blue evening gown. Pia Wurtzbach wore Tolentino's red preliminary evening gown when she represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant, where she ultimately took first place.
During the National Costume round of the preliminaries, Cortesi paid tribute to the Filipina superhero Darna. Tolentino also devised the costume, with Jerome Navarro producing the metalwork and helmet.
