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Cainta’s Stacey Gabriel on declining another crown: ‘My heart wants what it wants’
Despite falling short of clinching the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 crown, Cainta’s Stacey Gabriel is still grateful for the support she received during her stint and even after the competition.
On Instagram, Stacey shared photos of her and the crowned queen, Chelsea Manalo, during the coronation night held last week.
“Universe! There aren’t enough words to express how much your support means to me. In the last few days, so many of you have made me feel seen and reminded me of the beauty of radical self-acceptance, the joy that I was scared would be tainted, and the love that overcomes a multitude of emotions,” Stacey said.
“Because of you, I feel the weight of the world being lifted as all of you raise me to higher ground… my faith in the Universe and its limitless potential lives on,” she continued.
Stacey also said that because of her supporters, she knows she made the right decision in declining another crown.
“It is because of your reminder that I know that my decision to respectfully decline another crown and to remain your Miss Universe Philippines 1st Runner-Up is aligned with His divine purpose,” she said.
“It is incredibly rare to have an opportunity like the one I find myself in now – to not look ahead to my next crown, but rather, to focus on using this prestigious platform to further the work I have dedicated my life to is a tremendous blessing in and of itself.”
Stacey expressed her support for the reigning queen “as she shows the Universe what Filipina women are capable of.”
She acknowledged that some might not understand her reasons, but her heart “wants what it wants.”
“What many don’t realize is that joining a pageant tests and stretches you in ways you never imagined, and I knew I would only do it all over again for my lifelong dream – Miss Universe,” she said.
Stacey ended her post by writing, “I am thankful to my Miss Universe Philippines family for believing in my heart and for respecting its desires. Though I have yet to wear the Philippines sash, I hope to use this reign to represent my country through the strength of my will and the abundance of my love.”
The coronation night was held last Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Chelsea won the national title, Stacey was named the first runner-up, and Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province was named the second runner-up.
Tarah Valencia of Baguio is the third runner-up, while Christi McGarry of Taguig is the fourth runner-up.
Shortly after, other national crowns were also given.
Ahtisa is Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024, Tarah is Miss Supranational Philippines 2025, Alexie Brooks of Iloilo is Miss Eco International Philippines 2025, and Cyrille Payumo of Pampanga is Miss Charm Philippines 2025.
— Carby Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
