| 
| 
| |
31/08/2019
561 | 
0
by Nikko Tuazon
Miss World Philippines 2019 candidates including GMA-7 stars (L-R) Michelle Dee, Isabelle de Leon, and Kelley Day were presented to the press on Thursday, August 29, at the Versailles Tent in Novotel Manila Araneta Center, Quezon City. PHOTO/S: COURTESY OF MISS WORLD PHILIPPINES
The 40 beauties hoping to be crowned Miss World Philippines 2019 were presented to the press, including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), on Thursday afternoon, August 29, at the Versailles Tent of Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City.
They are also vying for the five other titles at stake at the pageant: Miss Eco Philippines, Miss Multinational Philippines, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, and two new titles, Miss Eco Teen International and Miss Philippines Tourism.
CELEBRITY CONTESTANTS
Among the early standouts at the pageant are GMA-7 stars Michelle Dee, Kelley Day, and Isabelle de Leon.
During the press presentation, all three were asked whether they find their celebrity status an advantage in the competition.
Kelley, the first to answer the question, reflected on the pros and cons of being a celebrity in a beauty pageant.
She said, "We have a pressure in a sense that people expect a lot from us because we're used to being in front of the camera or we're used to memorizing lines, whatever it might be, talking to people, talking to press.
"But pageantry from me is an entirely different thing. You change your mindset. You focus on something completely different.
"And, I think, that's where the challenge comes from. On top of that, we do have the pressure.
"I think, it kinda has pros and cons, on being an artista because, yes, we have experience but also, there is a lot of pressure on us.
"But, I think, everyone has their own pressure. We [are] fair game, fair game for everyone."
Michelle agreed with Kelley, saying that having relatives who are also well-known beauty queens makes it lot more challenging for her.
The 22-year-old Psychology graduate said, "It does have its pros and cons but, honestly, we're in a room full of beautiful and talented people.
"We have nurses. We have lawyers. And we all go through the same types of training, we all go through different steps for the journey to be Miss World or to have one of the other crowns.
"And, yes, it's kind of hard because you're put under the spotlight and you have certain expectations that are put on your head, not only being an artista but my family members as well.
"They're very good and very well-known in the pageant industry and that adds an extreme amount of on my head.
"Actually, one of those reasons why I'm hesitant to join... prior to this, I felt like I was not good enough.
"But what pageantry has taught me is that besides being an artista, besides having all of these expectations, it's really like what the other girls have mentioned, it's really about the journey.
"It's really about what you can take from everything. Although being an artista has its slight advantage with publicity and all of that, I really do believe na pantay lang po yung laban dito."
Michelle is the daughter of Melanie Marquez who won the Philippines' third Miss International crown in 1979. She is also the cousin of Winwyn Marquez who made history for being the first Filipina to win the Latina-dominated Reina Hispanoamericana pageant in 2017.
Isabelle echoed the statements of Michelle and Kelley, and added this messsage, "There are pros and there cons but at the end of the day, we all have to enjoy and the people will see that when we're on stage."
STAND-OUT ANSWERS
The candidates also showed how prepared they were for the question-and-answer round of the Miss World Philippines 2019 pageant.
Here are the candidates who impressed the press at the event with their outstanding answers to the questions.
Isabelle was among the candidates who were called back several times.
One of the questions she answered was: What will be her contribution to the Miss World Philippines Organization if she wins the crown?
The former child star said, "Even before joining the pageant, I've always been active in certain charities like Child Haus. I've worked with them for nine years.
"Even as a child, I've always been active in giving my toys to kids at children's hospitals, but you can only do so much as an artist.
"That's why it's really, really beautiful that a beauty pageant would have such a positive impact on society—which is Beauty With a Purpose.
"So, what I can contribute is encouragement that, number one, we shouldn't let our fears become bigger than our dreams.
"And we shouldn't be afraid to strive for perfection—although we'll never achieve it—but it will help us push our limits.
"And, lastly, we shouldn't be afraid to love and to accept love. We can do great things through love and love always wins."
Vanessa-Mae Walters, one of the youngest candidates in this batch, was asked whether her age will hinder her chance to win one of the crowns in the pageant.
The 19-year-old model answered, "I've always gone through some type of experience that has taught me to be the woman that I am today...
"And being taught to be independent, to be irrational when you need to be, to be self-caring, selfless, loving, and kindness... it's pretty much the best way to love one another. "I feel as though that maturity does not hinder the way people perceive you in beauty pageants.
"It's more how you think of yourself and how you identify your character, your values, your religion, your culture or tradition, and the way you implement that to other people and the way you inspire them every day."
Jacqueline Hammoude earned a round of applause from members of the press after giving a piece of advice to those who have experienced body-shaming.
The 22-year-old aspiring beauty queen said, "As someone who already experienced body-shaming, I think you need to be strong and just ignore these bullies.
"They mean nothing to your life. They do not control you and you need to just block them, delete them.
"Do whatever you need to do because they don't love you. You live your life how you want to live it."
The reigning queens of Miss World Philippines Organization—Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez, Miss Multinational Philippines 2018 Kimi Mugford, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2018 Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez, and Miss Eco Philippines 2018 Maureen Montagne—were present at the press presentation along with Mr. World Asia-Pacific 2019 JB Saliba.
The grand coronation night of Miss World Philippines will be on September 15, Sunday, at the Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City. The winner will compete in the Miss World pageant happening on December 14 in London, England.
COMENTÁRIOS - Clique aqui para fazer o seu
