Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo (center), Miss Intercontinental runner-up Christi McGarry (left), and Miss Supranational runner-up Pauline Amelinckx/ARMIN P. ADINA
A surprise treat welcomed mallgoers on Saturday, Jan. 11, when not just one, but three world-class Filipino beauty queens graced the fashion show for the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines-Pasig pageant.
Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo, 2023 Miss Supranational first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx, and 2015 Miss Intercontinental first runner-up Christi McGarry shared the stage with the city pageant contestants during the fashion show held at the main atrium of the Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City.
McGarry, who was also fourth runner-up in the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, sashayed down the ruway during the Filipiniana segment of the show where the ladies paraded in stylized terno attire.
Amelinckx, meanwhile, closed the segment where she and the candidates showcased Smilee shirts hand painted by Pasigueño artist Lawrence Tatad.
The two ladies were also officially recognized onstage with the special awards they received during their respective Miss Universe Philippines stints. McGarry was proclaimed as Miss Wuling during the recent national contest, while Amelinkx was hailed as Miss Smilee in 2023.
Manalo was the last of the international beauties to appear before the crowd during the show, where it was also announced that she will be receiving her own Wuling electric vehicle.
“I don’t think how much I can say thank you, first and foremost, to the Miss Universe Philippines organization for the trust, for the support that I have been getting. Of course, to my Wuling family, Ms. Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Sir Lloyd [Lee], to the whole team, thank you for your support,” she said.
“I [really] cannot be more grateful, [because] I came from nothing. But the support that I’ve been getting from so many people [has been growing]. And I wanna share, and give that to the whole people that I am now encountering [too],” Manalo continued.
McGarry, meanwhile, shared her plans for the year. “I want to travel a lot. I spent a lot of last year focusing on Miss Universe Philippines. This year, I really want to focus on myself and advancing my career as a host, continuing my show. So please watch ‘Beached’ on Metro Channel. You guys can catch that. And continue as a DJ as well, and I plan to DJ more outside the Philippines, I’m excited,” she shared.
Amelinckx, for her part, imparted advice to the ladies competing in the city pageant. “Know your purpose. Know why you’re joining. Because it’s gonna get tough. Believe me, it’s gonna get tough. So knowing your purpose in joining will really help you reground yourself when you feel like it’s gonna be too much, or when you feel like you might not make it or you might not have what it takes, because you do,” she said.
Manalo echoed her sentiment, and said, “know your ‘why.’ But at the same time, you have to understand that after your ‘why,’ you keep on going. You have to know [that it doesn’t end there],” she said.
She also told the 18 aspirants to enjoy their journey and build sisterhood among their fellow candidates.