Cebu City North District lass tops MUPH Cebu

Local

CEBU City North District achieved back-to-back victories in the Miss Universe Philippines Cebu pageant with Gabriella Mai Carballo taking home the coveted title on Wednesday, December 18, at the Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Carballo, a 26-year-old Doctor of Medicine graduate, succeeded Kris Tiffany Janson, who also represented Cebu City North.

During her farewell walk as Miss Universe Philippines Cebu 2024, Janson officially ended her reign after earning a spot in the Top 10 of the national competition earlier this year. Janson had previously represented the Philippines at the Miss Intercontinental 2014 pageant, where she finished as 2nd runner-up.

Carballo left a lasting impression on the judges and audience with her powerful answer, emphasizing her advocacy for environmental sustainability.

“I have been advocating for environmental sustainability and protection for the last six years. And the biggest way that I've done that is making sure that our tourism industry remains sustainable," she said.

"As the greatest contributor to waste in the whole Philippines predicted by 2025, it is important that we focus on this because I want to make sure that future Cebuanas and their children will live in a Cebu in which they can be safe forever. Thank you," she added.

Carballo also dominated the competition by winning several minor and corporate awards, including Best in Evening Gown, Face of Mags, Miss Rose Pharmacy, Miss Myra E, Miss Skin911 Premiere, Immo-Plan Ambassadress, Miss Photogenic, and Miss Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Carballo’s court includes Chella Grace Falconer from the City of Naga as Miss Philippines Cebu Tourism; AJ Queniahan from Santa Fe as 1st Runner-Up; Jennifer Kim Emmerich from Moalboal as 2nd Runner-Up; and Jamie Javier from Lapu-Lapu Cityas 3rd Runner-Up.

The Top 10 finalists advancing to the final round came from Cebu City North, City of Naga, Consolacion, Lapu-Lapu City, Moalboal, Santa Fe, Sogod, Tabuelan, Tuburan, and Danao City.

The pageant also highlighted the exceptional work of local designers. Cris Cadungog received the Best Designer award for his remarkable creation for Miss Ronda.

Carballo’s stunning evening gown also earned her the Best in Evening Gown award, reinforcing her strong performance throughout the competition.

Other minor awards added excitement to the pageant.

Moalboal’s representative took home the title of Miss PH Care. Consolacion’s candidate was named Miss Anytime Fitness Ambassadress, while Santa Fe’s contender received both the Best in Swimwear and Miss Seahorse Yacht Philippines Ambassadress titles.

Ronda’s candidate won Face of La Panetteria Di Luigi, while Lapu-Lapu City claimed the Miss Production Number title and The Face of Kazuwa Prime award. Santa Fe’s representative also won Miss Congeniality, highlighting her camaraderie with her fellow contestants.

Carballo will represent Cebu in the national pageant, continuing her quest to become the fourth Cebuana to represent the country in the Miss Universe competition.

The most recent Cebuana Miss Universe Philippines titleholder was Beatrice Luigi Gomez, who finished in the Top 5 at the international pageant in 2021 held in Israel.(MyTVCebu)