by Claire R. Gigje
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)—Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi has set off with a head start after she dazzled the crowd at the 71st Miss Universe preliminary held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States of America, January 12 (Philippine Standard Time).
During the swimwear competition, Cortesi slayed the runway, emanating her noble passion as she wore a two-piece swimsuit with her cape specially patterned with the handprints of children from one of the secluded villages in the province of Lanao del Sur.
The garment was made during her participation in an outreach program of Save the Children Philippines in the said locality.
The 25-year-old Filipina-Italian beauty queen highlighted that walking with this personalized cape was amplifying the voices of children who needed help, recognizing that there are millions of them living in poverty amid a crisis.
Upon conversing with the parents of these kids, she shared that she harkened back to how her own mother struggled to provide for her and her sister.
“The imprints all over the cape remind me that having a title means to have a purpose beyond myself,” said Cortesi.
The pro-kid candidate hoped that this would inspire others to donate to Save the Children Philippines, stressing that there is much work to be done and every single help matters.
Cortesi earlier conveyed that the best way she can support the children and the needy communities is to maintain her collaboration with the forenamed international non-government organization.
“I think amplifying and sharing information, and really working with the organization, Save the Children Philippines, can really help a lot. This is my duty as the Miss Universe Philippines, and I am very happy and grateful to be working with that,” she said during her actual visit in Lanao del Sur province on November 10 last year.
Apart from championing the welfare of children, Cortesi likewise promotes women’s empowerment, being a woman who is always for women.
“People don’t really see women as leaders, and that’s because women are always, no matter what, very underestimated by everyone,” she said in a video.
Now, people across the globe look forward to the coronation night of the 71st Miss Universe on January 14 this year (the morning of January 15 in the Philippines), wherein Harnaaz Sandhu of India will pass her crown to the new queen. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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