She broke the glass. Did you know that Angelique Manto was one dress away from Miss Universe 2015 Queen Pia Wurtzbach?
You know that ”brown out” feed color palette they call on Instagram? The underexposed, desaturated, brutalist architecture-loving aesthetic? Content creator Angelique Manto was one of the first to do that in the Philippines. But before being the ✨aesthetic queen✨ that most people know her to be, she was UST’s court side reporter, popular for her powerful ”ibalik ang korona sa España” spiel that gave us goosebumps no matter if you were a growling tiger or not. Quite the multi-hyphenate, she’s also a TV host and a model.
A few days ago, Angelique Manto broke the glass to speak, revealing that she’ll be fulfilling her lifelong dream that means the universe to her. While she took the first step, officially applying as a candidate for Miss Universe Philippines 2023, the Internet is already pouring out their love and support for her. Not a noob in the pageant world though, Angelique Manto won several titles in the past both in Pampanga and in UST. But more than making her beauty queen comeback is a bigger story to tell in her quest for the crown.
Below, we’ve listed down five major reasons why Angelique Manto deserves that Miss Universe Philippines crown.
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ANGELIQUE FILED HER CANDIDACY ON THE DAY SHE ONCE FACED HER BIGGEST HEARTBREAK
— Angelique Manto (@AngeliqueManto) February 13, 2023
When Angelique won Miss Pampanga back in 2014, she shared that her last memory with her dad was him carrying her on a wheelchair right after she won. On the same day eight years ago, she revealed that she was “seconds too late” from the bus ride that would’ve taken her home to him. Angelique was never able to say goodbye when he took his last breath. In return, she decided to file her candidacy for Miss Universe Philippines on February 13 to honor her father.
2. SHE’S WON THREE PAGEANT TITLES IN THE PAST
Angelique Manto is no stranger to the pageant world. Mutya Ning Kapampangan 2014, Mutya Ning Lubao 2014, and Miss TSITP 2013 2nd Runner Up were some of her titles in the past before she evolved into the style icon that she is today. But even then, she was juggling school, her court side reporter duties, and modeling.
3. SHE’S AN ADVOCATE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
#ManokKoSiManto 👑 #MUPH2023 #MissUniversePhilippines Angelique Manto ANG GANDAAAA MO ROOTING FOR U ✨ pic.twitter.com/VETNpBfdv8
— Carl Ryan . • ° (@palomocarlryan) February 13, 2023
It’s only been a few days since the screening of Miss Universe Philippines 2023 and fans already nicknamed her Angelique ✨lumalamon ng mic✨ Manto, and for a good reason. She shared that one of her main advocacies is mental health, working with NGOs since 2020 in order to help in ending the stigma for every Filipino—especially the younger generation.
4. SHE WAS ONE DRESS AWAY FROM MISS UNIVERSE 2015 PIA WURTZBACH
Early last year, Pia Wurtzbach wore a yellow illusion dress to co-host Miss Universe Philippines, designed by Jaggy Glarino. Late last year, Angelique wore the exact piece for her fifth year hosting Mutya Ning Kapampanga. Call it fate or destiny, but everything that Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach touches turns into gold. Do with that information what you will. We’re just letting the world, erm, the universe know!
5. IF THIS SPIEL DIDN’T GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS, WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WILL
and i will never not bring back this iconic angelique manto in cdc! #UAAPCDC2022 pic.twitter.com/dD1mVGFXCx
— ◡̈ (@kailerdy) December 10, 2022
Who could ever forget this UAAP moment? The unforgettable spiel, the go USTe chant, everything was flawless. Imagine this, but on the Miss Universe stage. Now everybody say, “ibalik ang korona sa Pilipinas!”
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