---------------------------------
Tita Lavinia:
Sleep can do wonders for the muddled brain. Before we shift our focus on our beautiful new Miss Universe Rbonney Gabriel, let's decode what went wrong because I know you're waiting for me to snap out of my nap.
This will be painful. This will be frank. Those quick enough will probably screenshot this and cascade it all over TikTok or Facebook and it will further vilify me as someone whose sole purpose is to drag the org but honestly at this point - kevs. I'd rather you guys toughen up and face this head on.
STORY & DOSSIER
We knew of this girl from 2018 and she has quite an interesting past. Unfortunately a lot of those actions and incidents have receipts. The organization swept those under the rug rather than use those receipts to their advantage.
They coached the girl into pushing for authenticity and relatability without being specific with how she turned her life around to become calmer, centered and more grounded.
Her life story wasn't organically highlighted or discussed as it was reduced to a mere content for the org's YouTube channel making it feel manufactured.
PREP TIME
They had 7 to 8 months for planning. I'm sure they did the all the programs. Our girl definitely took pasarela, a and a and other classes I don't doubt that but the actual planning for wardrobe, concepts and the visual aspects of the competition days before the competition honestly brings to surface the very question of: WHAT THE HECK WERE THEY DOING THIS WHOLE TIME?
Were they overwhelmed with choices? Did they think they could just wing it?
SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
Both Celeste and the org missed the opportunity to utilize this powerful tool.
Celeste focused on posting photoshoots and endorsements, the organization failed to highlight her social work and charities heavily. They had a few entries on this sandwiched between intimidating graphics but her social casuses seemed like an afterthought in terms of somed presence.
Celeste could have proactively utilized her large following to let people in and rally towards her causes by being more interactive.
Her charities were reduced to footnotes in both their carefully curated pages.
ADVOCACY
Celeste inherited her advocacy from the org to the point of going to Marawi. Commendable actions yes but seemingly seasonal and driven towards an exchange of relief goods for publicity and handprints.
After winning the title, we didn't hear about the other things she was doing.
According to a Manila Bulletin article "The Filipino-Italian model and PLDT Home ambassador strongly advocates women's education, alongside protecting and preserving the country's indigenous people and culture." - where's this highlight on the indigenous people? It's nowhere near their narrative.
Did the organization help bring her to remote tribal communities? Were there features on young women pursuing their education despite difficult situations?
A hard pill to swallow but the advocacy aspect is watered down.
STYLE
I absolutely loved this fresh styling direction from a
Miss Universe candidate. The looks are straight out of a posh fashion magazine BUT
She was presented more like a CHIC EUROPEAN rather than a simple FILIPINA.
Her Jewelmer pearls could have given her more of a Filipina identity but they used the jewelry pieces sparingly. I understand the direction away Cat's Filipiniana heavy wardrobe but couldn't they put Celeste in at least one Vania Romoff camisa?
She maintained an untouchably chic style throughout the competition that didn't help her image as someone reserved, distant and in some instances - cold
Sometimes too much high fashion is well ... too high to reach.
Even coming out in no makeup in sweats and hoodie was so sensationalized it became a gimmick.
Celebrated for its simplicity in concept yes but sadly gimmicky.
VISIBILITY
Celeste could not be accessed. Her journey was not through her own documentation. We missed her voice and eyes.
We saw her in other people's feed and stories. She didn't bother featuring others. We had no idea if she was having fun or if she was down. Almost all her activity after winning were more visible in the Communications Manager's pages rather than her own or the organization's.
Photos and videos are always hard to crop or repost as she's always surrounded or sandwiched.
SCRUBBING
After winning MUPH, Celeste (based on all those Camina con carne episodes) underwent rigorous training.
Q and A ok give. Her improvement was immense. But her pasarela for example even her styling was so far from the KF hip sway and The Camp's swagger.
They scrubbed her of her real personality. Her pasarela at prelims even that annoying hand placement with the pinkie sticking out was so 2012 that we saw a slower, more feminine Celeste as if she were competing for MI.
There was nothing wrong with how she moved during the nationals. Why did she have to fit the mould? Back in the day they used to have names for walks because they differed. A cobra walk was different from a tanim bala walk but from Rabiya to Celeste it seemed to be just note.
Why a long feature on this? Well because you have to give it you all and not hold back at prelims.
The iconic slow-mo turn happened during prelims.
Come finals Cationa was the biggest name in universal pageantry.
CAMPAIGN
The org relied heavily on Celeste's faultless face. They didn't bother campaigning for votes and left the vloggers and admins to do the job. Celeste did not campaign at all.
They were COMPLACENT because they knew she could get in with just her face.
Votes are crucial now that we've given out our secrets and have helped neighbors catch up.
RAMPA
Call me nega, call me mema, but the rampa rampa DIC NOT HELP HER CAMPAIGN.
It simply isn't aligned with what they're peddling. How can you be authentic and relatable when you're dipped in luxury brands, walking along Rodeo Drive with a full entourage and their personal agenda?
A super short skirt triggered the overly passionate fans to wage war and bully a former Miss Universe W
Why do they keep on doing this when they're in the
US? Who's going to tell them it's cringey?
PADRINO SYSTEM
Yeah. I said it. Bless Oliver Tolentino for his well malasakit for a kababayan but he shouldn't have been in a position of remaking a costume or sewing a gown in just days.
Designers such as Michael Leva and Anthony Ramirez even Glade Echavarre have been posting photos left and right. They're no need to elaborate why.
No YT Live today because I am honestly groggy from the medicines I took
IVORY TOWER
Alienating the fans is one of this org's strongest suit.
The exclusivity is becoming unappealing. I say becoming because before their exclusivity was deemed as a form of security against those who just wanted to exploit and test our candidate.
Key people can't be tagged, they're almost always defensive with an arrogant air around them. It must be all that money and privilege and champagne and first class olabe rides. Even the vloggers and personalities around them have the same demeanor remember that group comprised of pageant fans, a designer and a sponsor who so bodly criticized candidates? It trickles down to representatives who cease saying hello and thank you to ardent fans.
PR skills are always welcome.
INTERACTION
There have been swirling news around that social media behaviors are being observed more closely that's why the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam didn't get in.
You know what would have given that caution more teeth?
Had the organization been more proactive in reminding its reach to stay calm and carry on on social media, this could have made the baby bra warriors go easy. If I say these things and remind people to be kinder I am 100% sure that narrative would change on TikTok and FB.
HUMBLE PIE
One commenter in my LIVE chat brought up the idea that the org was hit with the dreaded EL TOCUYO with their most well rounded and we'll received candidate.
OUCH. I HOPE THEY LEARN FROM THIS AND NOT LAY THE BLAME ON THE GIRL WHO SEEMS TO HAVE REUNITED WITH HER ORIGINAL TEAM
LAST
Celeste Cortesi has now become my favorite representative under this new management. I firmly believe she had a shot to the top. I am saddened that of all our girls from the past 12 years, she would end this way. I did not expect this ending from someone we genuinely supported. She endeared herself to us even with her limited interactions with her fans.
We recogized her strength and her potential for the global brand.
Plans may have gone smoothly but it was Celeste herself who said that to be Miss Universe is destiny.