FILIPINOS, get your phones, and money, ready. The 74th Miss Universe pageant has opened its online voting, and multiple categories will be open to the public.
Even the winner of the Miss Congeniality award, usually reserved for the delegates to vote among themselves, will now be determined by fan votes. But that would have to wait for later, as the voting categories are not made available all at the same time.
To start voting, download the official Miss Universe mobile app powered by Zentrix, available on the Google Play Store or Apple Store. Buy votes or watch ads to get free votes.
For now, the “Most Beautiful People” and “Beyond the Crown” categories are available for the public to vote on. The next ones that will be made available will be seen on the Miss Universe app itself.
Beyond the Crown is the advocacy component of the Miss Universe pageant where the delegates get to share the various projects and programs that they work on in their respective countries.
Pageant veteran Ahtisa Manalo is representing the Philippines in this year’s competition. For her Beyond the Crown video, she focused on education and youth leadership.
Aside from the Most Beautiful People and Beyond the Crown categories currently available, and the Miss Congeniality that will be open later, the Miss Universe app will also have the public vote for Most Photogenic, People’s Choice, Best Skin, Best Evening Gown, and Best National Costume.
The Miss Universe delegates are currently in Phuket for a series of activities. On Saturday evening, Nov. 8, they got to showcase their glamorous side at the Moonlight Sky Gala Welcome Dinner.
Manalo sashayed down the runway in a sleek, black, floor-length number with long sleeves and alternating solid and sheer panels. A high ponytail and a pair of large solid earrings completed the look.
More than 120 representatives from different countries and territories around the world are competing to succeed reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig.
Former Miss Universe titleholders Dayanara Torres and R’Bonney Gabriel will be the commentary hosts at the final competition show on Nov. 21 at the Impact Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi.
Manalo will try become the fifth Filipino woman to win, seven years since Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe in Thailand in 2018. (Armin P. Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
