MISS Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel is currently in the country as she has been tapped to host the coronation night of Miss Universe Philippines 2024 next month.
The finals night is scheduled for May 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, where Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee will crown her successor.
Gabriel arrived early in the country as she planned to stay here for a “longer” time. She posted an Instagram reel of herself in an all-black outfit as she roamed around Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig in April.
“After a 16-hour flight with my overstuffed suitcases, I made it here! Y’all said it was hot, but I’m not sure if I packed right for this heat,” she said in another Instagram post.
It seems that the Filipina-American beauty queen has so far enjoyed her Philippine visit as she participates in various activities. Here’s what Gabriel has been up to:
First local TV appearance
Gabriel shared with her 840,000 Instagram followers that she had her first television appearance in the Philippines when she visited the variety show “TiktoClock” as its special guest.
She graced the show by flaunting her beauty queen walk as singers Jeremiah Tiangco and John Rex serenaded the audience with “When I Met You” during the opening number. She then participated in the game called “Ulo ng mga Balita,” where she had to point out which among the choices was the fake headline.
On Instagram, she shared a few snaps of her TV guest appearance in “TiktoClock,” wearing an all-black suit topped with a racer jacket.
Exploring Bohol
Gabriel then flew to Bohol and experienced its “beautiful history, landscape, food, arts, and culture.”
Among her notable experiences in the province was when she tasted kalamay, a sticky and sweet delicacy that is popular in Bohol.
She also took the opportunity to experience the dry season in the country by going to a beach and jamming to P-pop girl group BINI’s hit summer song “Pantropiko.”
Of course, her Bohol trip wouldn’t be complete without her visiting and taking pictures in the province’s famous tourist attraction, the Chocolate Hills.
According to Gabriel, she spent 48 hours in Bohol and she “already want[s] to visit” the province again.
Shopping in Divisoria
While we await her next Bohol trip, the beauty queen flew back to Manila to explore more of the Philippines’ capital city—this time, in its famous commercial center where you can find everything you are looking for at lower prices: Divisoria.
In an Instagram reel, Gabriel showed her Instagram followers her trip to Divisoria where she bought some fabrics. She recalled visiting the area a lot when she was a kid and buying Juicy Couture purses and various clothing.
While shopping for clothing fabric, Gabriel could also be heard trying to talk to vendors in Filipino.
She then rode an e-bike going to Abad Santos to buy a sewing machine.
“Practiced my tawad, battled the heat, and fought the urge to buy all the fabrics in Divisoria,” she said, summing up her whole shopping experience at the commercial center.
Hosting MUPH’s National Costume show
Gabriel performed her hosting duties for the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines National Costume Competition, held in Sultan Kudarat on Sunday, April 28.
She shone brightly on stage in her radiant yellow gown as she hosted the show with actor Marco Gumabao.
The National Costume Competition featured more than 50 delegates from all over the country in their colorful ensembles inspired by the theme “Philippine Flora and Fauna.”
In the end, only three delegates rose to the top of the competition: Alexie Brooks of Iloilo City, Janet Hammond of Southern California, and Tamara Ocier of Tacloban. Each of them received P100,000 in cash.
The beauty queen who will be crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2024 on May 22 will represent the country in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant to be held in Mexico.
