Last April 27, the 32 candidates for Miss Universe Philippines 2022 graced the stage at The Cove Manila as part of the pageant’s preliminary competition. The ladies flaunted their toned bodies and amazing outfits during the swimsuit and evening gown segments and proved their intelligence during the Q&A portion. The event happened in front of a live audience and was broadcasted online. However, Filipino pageant fans had a lot to say about how Miss Universe Philippines organizers handled this special night.

Netizens criticized the performers

Catch the special performance of PBB Kumunity Celebrity Top 2 Anji Salvacion in The Miss Universe Philippines 2022: The Preliminaries!#MissUniversePhilippines2022 pic.twitter.com/decLT3guGb

— PBB Kumunity Season 10 (@PBBKumunity) April 23, 2022

Guest performer Anji Salvacion took to the stage to belt out a cover of Hailee Steinfeld’s “I Love Myself.” Unfortunately, not everyone enjoyed the former “Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10” celebrity housemate’s song cover. Netizens took to Twitter to voice their disappointment.

“What on earth is Anji Salvacion doing??? I do not consider that singing,” tweeted one.

All these “performers” in #MissUniversePhilippines2022 are not hitting the notes,” posted another. “They could’ve lip-synced to save themselves from embarrassment.”

Meanwhile, many chose to cut the 19-year-old some slack, citing poor sound systems and lighting that made the performers sound subpar. Some also commended Salvacion for bravely singing a Steinfeld song since all her tracks are apparently “really great but really hard to sing live.”

Salvacion is set to perform for her first solo concert, “Feels: The Concert” on April 30.

Gabriel Umali, Yheen and Yuki, and Filipino-American rapper EZ Mil also performed at the event.

“Worst preliminary competition”?

It wasn’t just the guest performers that some netizens found disappointing. Some criticized how the whole show was handled — from the flow of the program to technical issues like poor lighting and low-quality live streaming. Filipinos even had something to say about the hosts — reigning Miss Universe Philippines titleholder Beatrice Luigi Gomez and actor Marco Gumabao — “low” energy and scripts printed on paper.

Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu graced the preliminary activities and was even part of this year’s selection committee.

Still, MUPH 2022 candidates shone

All that aside, Pinoys were there to support the beautiful women vying for the crown. By the end of the night, Makati’s Michelle Dee successfully bagged six awards which included most of the special awards. Dee was awarded Miss Kumuniverse, Miss Creamsilk, Face of Essentials Belo, Miss Jojo Bragais, Miss Savepoint, and Miss The Medical City.

Other candidates also took home awards. Pasay’s Celeste Cortesi was named Miss Aqua Boracay and Miss Avana. Bohol’s Pauline Cucharo Amelinckx was named Miss MG Cars while Taguig’s Ma. Katrina Llegado was named Miss Philippine Airlines and Miss Center for Advanced Dentistry.

Check out their jaw-dropping national costumes

It’s not too late to catch up on MUPH 2022 events. You can start with the candidates’ elaborate national costumes showcasing Filipino textiles. Visit the pageant’s Facebook page for the official photos. Spend time browsing through all 32 candidates’ jaw-dropping looks and read the accompanying hilarious comments from their Pinoy supporters.

How to watch the coronation night

Stay tuned for the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 coronation night on April 30 happening live from the Mall of Asia Arena. Catch the free live stream starting at 7 PM on ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube Channel, iWantTFC, and The Filipino Channel. If you want to watch it live, tickets are available on the SM website starting at P950 for General Admission.

Former Miss Universe titleholdlers Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Iris Mittenaere (2016), and Demi-Leigh Tebow (2017) will host the event. Reigning titleholder Gomez, who finished Top 5 during Miss Universe 2021, is set to crown her successor.

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