IN PHOTOS: Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Top 40

MANILA, Philippines – The search for our next Miss Universe Philippines officially begins!

The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization revealed on Sunday, February 18, the 40 official candidates who passed the screening for their 2023 pageant.

Familiar names among this year’s hopefuls are pageant veterans Michelle Dee, Pauline Amelinckx, Samantha Panlilio, Klyza Castro, and Emmanuelle Vera (who is competing as Emmanuelle Fabienne Camcam).

On Monday, February 27, the Miss Universe Philippines organization announced that Evangeline Fuentes of Pangasinan has withdrawn from the competition. Apayao’s Kristeen Mae Boccang will be replacing her.

The 2023 pageant will also be the first time for mothers to be part of the competition as the 72nd edition of the pageant has allowed aspiring beauty queens of any civil status – married and with children – to join.

The 40 candidates will battle it out to succeed Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi.

The organization also earlier teased that three crowns will be up for grabs for the 2023 pageant, but they have yet to reveal additional details about.

The pageant also has yet to announce its schedule of activities.

Here’s the top 40 finalists: