Celeste Cortesi shares story behind color of her Miss Universe Philippines final gown

There’s so much more behind Celeste Cortesi’s Miss Universe Philippines 2022 final gown.

Sharing photos from her crowning moment on Instagram Saturday, the Filipina-Italian beauty queen said she chose the gown’s color because of her dad. 

She also recalled how her dad would always “tell me the wonderful story on how he chose to name me.”

“‘Celeste’ in Italian means heavenly, sky blue,” she wrote in the caption. “After I was born, while he was holding me in his arms, he looked at the sky then immediately knew my name would be Celeste.”

“Celeste is the color I wanted to wear on the final night, in honor of my dad,” she continued. “In every step on that stage I would feel his presence right beside me, my guardian angel.”

Saying her dreams have come true, she thanked designer Val Taguba.

Celeste, who was also named Miss Earth Philippines 2018 four years ago, was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2022 in April. Apart from working hard for the title, the beauty queen also manifested it. —Franchesca Viernes/KG, GMA News