Luckier the second time around
Following in the footsteps of Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach who won the local pageant on her third attempt, the new Binibinis confirmed that there’s no harm in trying again, and again, until... — Photographed by VER PAULINO at the Novotel, Araneta Center
Meet the new Binibinis (from left):
- Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Katarina Rodriguez, 24, from Davao City, graduated with a double major (Business Management and Philosophy) from De La Salle University, a Black Belt in Taekwondo;
- Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Elizabeth Durado Clenci, 26, from Mandaue City, Cebu (who spent time in Australia), a full-time bassist for three years now;
- Bb. Pilipinas International Maria Angelica “Mariel” de Leon, 23, daughter of actors Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong, studied at Southville International School and took up Culinary Arts at a university in New Zealand, and a member of the Opera Belles;
- Bb. Pilipinas Universe Rachel Peters, 25, from Naga City, graduated with a degree in Business, Tourism & Events from La Trobe University in Australia, and completed her International Baccalaureate at the British School in Phuket, Thailand;
- Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Chanel Olive Thomas, 26, from San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, holder of a Certificate III in Business Administration, Certificates III and IV in Fitness, grew up in Cairns, Australia; and
- Bb. Pilipinas Globe Nelda Ibe, 23, from Tarlac City, AB English graduate and a cadet pilot in Alpha Aviation Group.
Two are proud Binibini second-timers — Mariel was among the Top 15 semi-finalists in 2013 and Elizabeth was a candidate in 2011; and four are crossovers: Nelda was 2014 Miss World Philippines Second Princess, Rachel a 2014 Miss World Philippines Fourth Princess, Chanel a 2015 Miss Earth Philippines-Air, and Katarina a 2014 second runner-up in Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 2.
In a sense, they are all repeaters in beauty pageants.
Let’s do another round of Q&A with the ladies, who epitomize “beauty and brains,” closer than they did during the pageant at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday last week.
Pia Wurtzbach has made being a repeater fashionable. How did you live up to the second-time-around challenge?
Katarina: It’s actually my first time to join a pageant like the Binibini, so unlike Asia’s Next Top Model which is not a pageant but a reality-TV show. The dynamics are different, what happens is different. It’s really up to you how you pursue your path after the contest; while in the Binibini, it’s more controlled, there are more expectations. It’s my first time so let’s see how it goes.
Elizabeth: I don’t see it as joining a second time; I see it with fresh new eyes as a more mature woman. I was so young when I joined the first time. I don’t see repeating as a disadvantage or anything. If anybody has a dream, it doesn’t matter how many times you fail, it’s about getting up and trying again and risking everything, and that’s what makes you a winner.
Mariel: I believe that if you really want something in life, you shouldn’t stop until you get it. Same thing with pageants. You join and join until you get the crown. At the end of the day, you will know if it’s really for you or not.
Rachel: If you are a repeater, people expect more from you to a certain extent because you have done it before. I have a lot of respect for girls who do it for the second or for the third time because it shows resilience and a lot of character.
Chanel: When I joined Miss Philippines-Earth, I did it just to grow as a person. The second time, you are more experienced and more confident. I love developing myself and improving. This time, I joined for the platform for my advocacy which is inspiring and empowering young girls to believe in themselves and follow their dreams. I want to be a motivational speaker. So it’s a different feeling this time; there’s so much you can do, there’s so much potential; I have a purpose.
Nelda: I don’t see any problem with being a repeater. What you learned from the first time you can use in the second time. You evolve and that’s a big plus.
You will be competing abroad with equally gorgeous, smart and intelligent hopefuls. How would you measure up to the challenge?
Katarina: It’s not only the fact that you are representing the country but also that you are representing yourself. I believe that all starts within yourself so it’s believing in what you can do and how far you can make it. Having fun is the secret definitely because there are so many things that can get your mind clouded, and I think it resonates if you’re having fun with something and everyone can see it. And who wouldn‘t want to be a winner by just having fun?
Elizabeth: It’s gonna be a whole different ballgame for sure. Like what they were saying, just focus on yourself and show what the Philippines can bring. The best that we can do is to the best person that we can be.
Mariel: In going to the international competition, my goal is to be excited about it and not being nervous, be happy that I am representing the Philippines and I’m gonna be around so many beautiful women. That would make me happy, instead of comparing myself to them and feeling bad. I’m just grateful for this journey and do my best. (The reigning Miss International, Kylie Verzosa, is from the Philippines. Does it put pressure on Mariel?) I won’t let that bother me and I’ll just focus on myself and my own journey. It’s important to do that so you can really shine. And I’m gonna pray a lot.
Rachel: As a Filipina, I think I have the fighting spirit to make myself stand out in the Miss Universe pageant. Also, I believe something that really, really helps is that we have the Filipino people behind all of us. In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of messages and it’s really touching to hear from all of them saying, “We are behind you 100 percent all the way.” I think it will inspire us all to get to the finish line and win the crown.
Chanel: It’s an amazing opportunity to be representing the Philippines, especially for my mom who grew up here. It’s just like she’s representing the country as well. I will do exactly what I did during the Binibini; I always put myself first. I don’t want to get distracted by being so involved with what goes on around me. I’m taking it one day at a time and praying a lot. And I always remember why I join beauty contests, which is for my advocacy and that’s what I’m bringing to Supra. I hope to do my country proud and I believe that I can.
Nelda: Being a beauty queen is not all physical; what counts is inner beauty. My being a pilot helps me in gaining a lot of confidence.
Whether you like it or not, you are now role models. How do you feel about it?
Katarina: It’s something that I’m used to because of my prior career as a model. I was also a deejay for MTV, and as a talent under Viva Artists Agency, I did the Sari-Sari show with Candy Pangilinan and Kuya Empoy, a really fun show. But, as Elizabeth said, this is a different ballgame because you’re not here as an artista but as a role model. And there’s a difference between a supermodel and a role model. You’re a beauty queen and you have to pursue beauty in every sense of the word. You can be a game-changer by being honest and sincere, and showing especially the young how genuine you are.
Elizabeth: Whether you are in a position of influence or not, you should always lead by example every day. Before the pageant, I wasn’t always in make-up and this time, I see to it that I’m true to my title anywhere I go.
Mariel: When the pageant ended, all eyes were automatically on us. These days, there’s so much negativity. It’s important for women, actually for everybody, to spread kindness and compassion, not just to love but to be yourself, and be an inspiration for other people.
Rachel: Before the pageant, I wasn’t a very girly-girl. I would go to the gym and walk around in my gym clothes all day without any make-up. We are Binibinis now and so we can’t do that. It’s exciting because it shows that we are into a new chapter in our lives. If we do things properly, we can really make a difference in the world.
Chanel: As I said, I want to be a motivational speaker so I’ve always wanted to be a role model. It’s not just what I’m doing during my reign as Binibini but something that I want to continue doing, if it’s God will, internationally. I want to be that voice so every day, you have to be the best version of yourself because that’s what life is all about…to be a good example to other people and help them make better persons.
Nelda: Nakaka-pressure. But it’s amazing how you touch people’s lives and you reach out to the kids. My advocacy is to be able to build homes for unfortunate kids…the street kids.
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)
http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2017/05/07/1697373/luckier-second-time-around
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