As Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray said, "we always have next year."
For 12 straight years, the Philippines always secure a place in the semifinals during the Miss Universe main competition, however, the 71st edition became a jaw-dropping one as the critical and crowd favorite Celesti Cortesi did not advance to the Top 16.
It had caused disappointment to all Filipino supporters since Cortesi has been picked as the frontrunner of the prestigious pageant by Missosology and Sash Factor.
With her strong performance during the preliminary round, the beauty queen ended her Miss Universe journey earlier than expected.
Filipinos still celebrate Filipino-American Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel for her victorious win as she clinched the United State's ninth crown after Olivia Culpo in 2012.
She outwits first runner-up Amanda Dudamel (Venezuela) and second runner-up Andreína Martínez (Dominican Republic) after a single-question Q&A round for the surviving three contenders.
Meanwhile, the Philippines cut short its bid after having won the title twice post-2010, with Piza Wurtzbach in 2015 and Catriona Gray in 2018.
In 1969, Gloria Diaz first won the title for the Philippines, followed by Margarita Moran in 1973.
Here is a look back at the Philippines' Miss Universe placements since 2010:
- 2010 - Venus Raj (4th runner-up)
- 2011 - Shamcey Supsup (3rd runner-up)
- 2012 - Janine Tugonon (1st runner-up)
- 2013 - Ariella Arida (3rd runner-up)
- 2014 - Mary Jean Lastimosa (Top 10)
- 2015 - Pia Wurtzbach (Miss Universe 2015)
- 2016 - Maxine Medina (Top 6)
- 2017 - Rachel Peters (Top 10)
- 2018 - Catriona Gray (Miss Universe 2018)
- 2019 - Gazini Ganados (Top 20)
- 2020 - Rabiya Mateo (Top 21)
- 2021- Beatrice Gomez (Top 5)
The 71st Miss Universe was held in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States on January 15, 2023.
