Celeste Cortesi is entering a new chapter of her life with a deeper appreciation for motherhood, her relationship and the two cultures that have shaped her identity.

In an interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, the Filipino-Italian beauty queen opened up about her pregnancy and admitted that carrying her first child has given her a new perspective on what women experience on the road to becoming mothers.

Cortesi said she is doing well but acknowledged that the physical and emotional changes brought by pregnancy were far greater than she had anticipated.

“I couldn’t imagine how hard it is to be pregnant. It’s not an easy thing,” she shared.

Experiencing pregnancy herself, she said, has strengthened her respect for mothers. Cortesi admitted that she underestimated the hormonal changes and other demands that come with carrying a child.

For the beauty queen, however, the challenges are accompanied by excitement as she looks forward to finally meeting her baby.

Cortesi also revealed that she is expecting a boy and already has a name for him—Sergio, a name inspired by her father.

“I always wanted to be a young mom—before 30,” she said, adding that the thought of “growing a human from scratch” still amazes her.

Celeste addresses relationship struggles

Cortesi also spoke candidly about her relationship when Boy Abunda asked about reports that she and her partner had encountered problems.

Instead of presenting their relationship as perfect, she acknowledged that they have gone through both happy and difficult periods.

“We always had. Like even before I got pregnant. No relationship is perfect,” she said.

Cortesi explained that there were moments when they needed space from each other, but emphasized that disagreements are part of relationships. For her, what matters is being able to communicate honestly and deal with personal issues privately.

She also pushed back against some of the public interpretations surrounding their relationship, saying that what had been portrayed externally did not necessarily reflect what actually happened between them.

Despite the challenges, Cortesi appears focused on their growing family as she prepares for the arrival of their son.

Proud of both her Filipino and Italian roots

The former Miss Universe Philippines titleholder also addressed discussions surrounding mixed-race or “halfie” beauty queens and whether having foreign ancestry provides an advantage in Philippine pageantry.

Cortesi rejected the idea that mixed heritage is necessary for success, pointing out that Filipino men and women have already proven themselves internationally regardless of whether they come from mixed backgrounds.

She noted that full-blooded Filipinas have brought tremendous pride to the Philippines through their accomplishments on the international stage.

At the same time, Cortesi said she proudly embraces her own background. She treasures her Italian heritage from her father while continuing to discover and celebrate the Filipino side of her family through her mother.

Soon, that multicultural story will extend to another generation.

Cortesi noted that her baby will also grow up with a mixed heritage—something that gives her another personal connection to conversations about identity.

As she prepares for motherhood, Cortesi is embracing a life far beyond crowns and competitions. Pregnancy has brought challenges she did not fully expect, but it has also given her a renewed appreciation for mothers, a more grounded view of relationships and an even stronger connection to family.

And at the center of this new beginning is Sergio—the baby boy Cortesi says she already cannot wait to meet.