Celeste Cortesi is back in the country after competing in the 71st Miss Universe pageant to which she's "immensely grateful to have had the chance to represent all Filipinos."

In an Instagram post on Monday, the 25-year-old Filipino-Italian beauty queen penned a heartfelt letter to express her gratitude for the Filipinos and her loved ones.

Celeste's post comes with an artwork of herself in her Darna national costume made by Filipino artist André Manguba.

"The entire year has been the most challenging, and yet most exciting time of my life," she wrote. "To represent my country, The Philippines, is my greatest honor."

Celeste shared that she has always had a "burning passion" for the Philippines and that she plans to continue pursuing her identity as a Filipina.

“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 to 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,” she said.

"I am immensely grateful to have had the chance to represent all Filipinos and all the sweet fans of pageantry around the world,” she continued.

Addressing her team, Celeste referred to them as her “safe place,” as well as her fans, family, and loved ones.

“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,” she wrote.

The beauty queen also dedicated the post to her late father, who she refers to as her “guardian angel.”

“To my father, you guided me up to this day," Cortesi said. "I feel your protection. If you are redirecting me to a different path, to what is truly meant for me, I trust you."

She then concluded her post with the signature, “Forever your Miss Philippines.”

Fil-Am R'Bonney Gabriel from the USA was crowned Miss Universe 2022.