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26/08/2018
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Jonas Egan Reyes
Trading her sneakers for high heels, Gianna Margarita Llanes is set to take on a new challenge.
A courtside reporter for Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), Gianna would have to put that gig on hold to face one her biggest aspirations. On October 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Gianna and 39 other candidates will vie for 2018 Miss World Philippines crown.
The chosen candidate will succeed 2017 winner Laura Lehmann and will represent the Philippines in the 2018 Miss World pageant in Sanya, China.
FOX Sports Philippines caught up with Gianna during last Tuesday’s MPBL games to discuss her upcoming Miss World PH stint.
Pageant first-timer
Gianna has been a constant fixture along the sidelines since the MPBL’s inception in January. She draws valuable broadcast experience from her stint in 2014 as the courtside reporter of the Adamson University Soaring Falcons in the UAAP. An Ateneo alumna, Gianna also became a radio DJ for Magic 89.9 and a VJ for MYX.
With all her experience in various media platforms, Gianna is about to venture into a new first: joining a beauty pageant.
“Matagal ko nang pinag-isipan. I never really had the confidence to do so. Akala ko na ‘I’m too short, I’m not pretty enough.’ But being on TV after all these years showed me, as long as you have a voice, mas malaki yung presence mo,” shared Gianna.
“This was something I have been hesitant about, but I wanted to do it for so long. So I might as well try it. It’s a once in a lifetime thing.”
Gianna has been training for three months for Miss World PH, spending two hours a week to master the poise and form of a true beauty queen. With her career behind the microphone, training for the question-and-answer turns out easy for Gianna. The difficult part?
“In terms of public speaking and answering questions, okay naman because of my experience on TV. The hard part was walking in heels! I’m always in sneakers during basketball games and while playing sports,” Gianna quipped.
Support from her MPBL family
For Gianna, the exposure brought by the MPBL lifted her confidence to join Miss World PH. Working in front of the camera as a reporter, Gianna will be bringing all the lessons she has learned from the regional league into the world of beauty pageants.
“Honestly kung wala lahat yung mga experience na yun, I will not join the pageant. But being in front of people and talking to strangers, that gave me so much confidence. Taking a leap of faith, that’s what I learned from a beauty pageant. You enter it, take a leap of faith by answering questions and facing interviews,” said Gianna.
Pre-pageant festivities would take up much of Gianna’s time leading to the coronation night in October. Her schedule in the MPBL would have to be tweaked to squeeze in time for Miss World PH. According to Gianna, “I will be gone just for a month. I don’t want to let go of MPBL and I don’t want to be away from it.”
Gianna has the full backing of her MPBL family for Miss World PH. Even league officials have pledged their support for their bubbly courtside reporter.
“Everyone from the MPBL was so supportive. Sir Kenneth Duremdes, Zaldy Realubit and Emerson Oreta wanted to watch even the Finals night,” Gianna revealed.
“When the MPBL Facebook page shared the news, the first comment I saw was from Commissioner Kenneth saying ‘Good luck’. That already meant the world for me.”
Once the pageant is over and regardless of the outcome, Gianna assures her return to the MPBL sidelines. Being its first-ever courtside reporter, Gianna cannot seem to imagine leaving the MPBL.
“I’ll be here in the MPBL as long as I can, kahit lola na ako magre-report pa rin ako,” Gianna said in jest.
“I was here during its humble beginnings. I was the very first courtside reporter of the league. I saw it grow tremendously and I could never leave it.”
Memorable MPBL moments
Asked about the clamor and reception of basketball fans to the MPBL, Gianna explained the connection that the league establishes with every home venue. Spending her childhood years in Canada, Gianna learned how huge basketball is in the Philippines through her experience as an MPBL courtside reporter.
“The people love to be represented. They feel that the players representing their ‘homes’ are like their brothers. Parang kuya mo lang na naglalaro sa isang basketball league. You cheer for him. That’s why they feel so connected,” she explained.
Three stories stood out for Gianna, when asked for the most memorable moments she had in the league.
First was her interview with MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse during the promotional tour for their World Welterweight Championship fight in Malaysia.
“That was crazy because so many people watched the actual fight. I even had a picture interviewing both of them. That was a legendary moment for me.”
Second was the opening day of the MPBL Anta Datu Cup last June 12 at the Araneta Coliseum.
“My great-grandfather, former president Diosdado Macapagal, was the one who declared June 12 as Independence Day. It was an honor to wear a Filipiniana in Araneta. Growing up in Canada, I was able to connect to my roots through that.”
And lastly, Gianna’s most memorable moment is one that she shares with boyfriend and Valenzuela Classic forward Ryan Arambulo.
“It was the very first game of Valenzuela that I got to report for. When Ryan and I finally got into the league, we experienced everything together, hand in hand. So when I saw him in his jersey and playing and I got to report, that was pretty cool. That was really memorable for me.”
(Photo credit: Gianna Llanes’ Facebook page)
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