Gunning for a back-to-back win for the country in the world’s most prestigious pageant, newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina on Wednesday said she has been focusing on honing her communication skills to improve her chances of winning the 65th Miss Universe pageant.
“Fino-focus ko ngayon is communications, kasi ‘yun talaga ang pinakamabigat na ipinakita sa atin ni Pia (Wurtzbach) na kailangan nating i-absorb. Hindi lang sa akin kundi sa buong Pilipinas,” Medina told reporters after an outreach program in Tondo, Manila with her fellow Binibining Pilipinas queens.
(I am focusing on my communication skills because it’s what Pia has shown to be very significant. Not only to me but to the entire Philippines.)
Medina, an interior designer from Quezon City, said she has been communicating with reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach to ask for tips and advice in the upcoming competition. But she said Wurtzbach told her to “relax” first and take it easy.
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“We communicate. Actually, nag-uusap kami sa WhatsApp kung paano gagawin ko or… Actually, sabi nga niya sa ‘kin magrelax ka muna, gawin mo muna ‘yung mga dapat mong gawin. Kasi ‘di ba, winning this title, ang daming opportunies na pwedeng magawa,” Medina said.
(We communicate. Actually, we talk on WhatsApp about what I should do… Actually, she told me to relax first, do the things I have to do. Because winning this title will lead to many opportunities.)
The 25-year-old beauty queen said Wurtzbach had committed to help her prepare for the Miss Universe pageant.
“She will support me,” Medina said.
However, Medina said she has yet to formally start her training as she is focusing on her advocacies and outreach activities.
“Inuuna ko po muna itong opportunity na ‘to na makatulong ako lalo na sa mga bata. And siguro sa preparations ko, after these activities, kasi ‘yun talaga ‘yung ni-lu-look forward ko eh,” she said.
(I’m prioritizing this opportunity to help especially the children. And perhaps my preparations will come after these activities because I’m really looking forward to that.)
“Actually, hindi pa naman ako nagsisimulang mag-training right now, kasi inuuna ko po muna talaga ‘yung kaya kong ibigay after winning this crown. Opportunity na rin po kasi ‘to habang hindi pa ako busy,” Medina added.
(Actually, I haven’t started training right now, because I’m focusing on what I could give back after winning this crown. This is an opportunity while I’m not yet busy.)
Wurtbach, who is currently based in New York as Miss Universe titleholder, passed her crown as Miss Universe Philippines to Medina during the Binibining Pilipinas coronation night last April. RAM