‘Kilig’
Is that something all the girls do?
No. I just want to. I feel like it would be nice if you get down the plane and greet everybody in their local language. It’s like us, dito rin, kilig na kilig tayo pag merong foreigner na kahit mali-mali yung Tagalog, nag-e-effort.
Last time, MJ’s dress became controversial. Do you have a say on what you will get to wear?
No. They decide. Definitely, the national costume will be by a Filipino designer. I’m happy that we’re finally open to Filipino designers for the national costume.
But was that controversy something you thought about? Or were you focused on your own training?
I was focused on my own training. It wasn’t a surprise to me. I always knew the gowns would be by a Colombian designer. One may not necessarily like the gown, but you just have to carry it well.
The thing is, the gown doesn’t make you win or make you lose. We’ve had Miss Universe winners who were not Filipino, who didn’t really have beautiful, drop-dead-gorgeous gowns. Hindi naman, eh.
What they look for in a winner is the girl, the face, the personality. Hindi naman yung damit. Because you’re not going to wear that throughout your reign. It’s a plus to have a nice gown during the competition, but it’s not a basis of whether you win or lose.
But I understand where people are coming from, that they want a Filipino designer. I agree with that.
Which part of the Miss Universe pageant are you most excited about?
Meeting the other girls. Imagine how rare it is to be in a room full of girls and basically, all the countries are there.
If you have a question on your mind about a certain country, you just approach the girl. You have the whole world in one room, basically. How cool is that?
Which part of the pageant are you most nervous about?
Tawagan ng winner, I guess. (laughs) That makes me nervous.
READ: Pia Wurtzbach recounts her ‘hagulgol’ backstage after the pageant
What are you passionate about?
Women empowerment is my advocacy really. When my parents separated, it was just my mom taking care of me and my sister. Tatlo kaming babae.
I became the breadwinner of my family. I was paying for everything through my acting and modeling while studying. I used to see how my parents would fight in front of me and I didn’t like it, I didn’t like how my dad treated my mom.
I’ve also been in a relationship where I was held back from what I really wanted to do, where I was being held back from my potential.
I’ve also been a victim of discrimination and racism because I was a Filipino in England. I had a hard time getting a job in the kitchen because I’m a girl.
I’ve experienced relationships na parang minamaliit yung babae. I don’t like that. That kind of pushed me to try what guys do. Why do I have to listen to you guys? I can do whatever I want.
And I hope that’s the kind of message I send to other girls, too. That you can do whatever you want. You don’t have to hold back.
I don’t understand the concept that women have to wait for a Prince Charming or a knight in shining armor to come along and save us and give us the happily ever after. Come on!
It’s nice to have a companion who would be supportive, I appreciate that. If a guy ever comes along and supports me and inspires me and motivates me, I welcome that, I am open to that, that would be great.
But I don’t want to be defined by who I’m dating, who I’m with. “That’s blank’s girlfriend.” I have a name and I have a job, okay? And I do stuff outside of the relationship. Dapat ganun naman, eh.
What’s the sweetest thing a fan has done for you?
During the press presentation, I felt like I wasn’t a hundred percent. I wasn’t prepared body-wise and my performance was a little tame. Hindi yun ‘yung nakasanayan kong walk. I toned it down a bit and medyo nasobrahan. I felt bad about it.
A lot of people didn’t like it also and I got bashed for it. Photos came out that were a little unflattering. Those photos would be edited to make them even more unflattering and they would call me names. Nababasa ko because once I log on, I see it right away because they tag you.
