Cebuanas win big at Teen Miss Universe

CEBU, Philippines — It’s mission accomplished for Team Cebu – Team Philippines even – in the recently concluded Little and Teen Miss Universe competition held May 4-11 in Europe’s Tbilisi, Georgia.

Sarah Nicole Filtness, a 12-year-old native of Moalboal, Cebu was crowned Pre-Teen Miss Universe. A Filipina-Canadian, she is a Grade 7 student at the Saint Augustine Academy in Alcantara. Her other titles are Miss Teen Basdiot Tourism 2018, Miss Malhiao Tourism 2018, Miss Intramurals 2018, and Little Princess of the Philippines 2018 first runner-up.

Another 12-year-old, Kasley Malaika T. Libres of Consolacion, Cebu, placed first runner-up in Teen Miss Universe, also held in Georgia. She was also chosen Model of the World and Best in Talent. Vietnam’s Nguyen Ngoc Bao Anh won in her category. 

Libres, a Grade 7 student at Maria Montessori International School, is a consistent honor student and an athlete. Her previous titles include Teen Princess Philippines 2018, Miss North District 8 2017, and Miss Unit 8 2017 first runner-up.

Prezious Katalinae Langit, a ten-year-old from Olongapo City, Zambales completed the Philippines’ winning contingent as she also dominated her category of Little Miss Universe.

Filtness, Libres and Langit were all chosen Best in National Costume in their respective categories.

Next up is Jashley Van Hemelen, 13, who will vie for the Teen Princess of the World title in Abena Resort Varna, Bulgaria on June 24. She is aiming for a back-to-back as the reigning Teen Princess of the World is Keena Shanelle Allison Sularte, also a Cebuana.

Hemelen, a Grade 7 student at the Singapore School of Cebu in Mandaue City, earned the right to represent the country after she was named Pre-Teen Princess Philippines last December, besting 20 other girls. The Filipina-Belgian also bagged awards for Best in Interview, Best in National Costume, Best in Casual Wear and Reality Talk Choice Award.

Maan Cueto Aris of GlaMore Production, which organizes the pageant that selects the country’s representatives to the Little and Teen Miss Universe competitions, had called the Cebuana teens during their send-off press conference last March as very competitive, talented, passionate and committed to their platforms.