Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi stunned in a pink two-piece swimsuit with a multi-colored handprint design cape during the preliminary competition of the international pageant.
In an Instagram post, Miss Universe Philippines said the cape was made by the children in Marawi when Celeste visited the province with Save the Children Philippines.
The organization uploaded some photos of the 25-year-old candidate together with Marawi children who are seen designing the cape with their painted hands.
"Miss Universe Philippines 2022 @celeste_cortesi carried her experience from Save the Children Philippines outreach in Marawi to the Miss Universe stage through the cape that the Filipino children had a hand at making," it captioned.
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In a Facebook post, Miss Universe Philippines released Celeste's statement about the cape.
“In amplifying the voices of the children who need our help, I wanted to bring them with me on the Miss Universe stage. The imprints all over the cape remind me that having a title means to have a purpose beyond myself," Celeste said.
She shared that when she conversed with the childrens' mothers, she was reminded of her mum who also struggled a lot in raising them.
"Unfortunately, there are millions of children who live in poverty, amidst crisis," Celeste said.
She hopes that through the message of her cape, many people would be inspired to help and donate to Save the Children PH.
"There’s much work to be done and every single person’s help matters," Celeste said.
The 71st Miss Universe grand coronation night is set on Saturday, January 14 (January 15, Manila Time). It will be aired live at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in Louisiana.
