QUEZON CITY — The Miss Universe 2017 pageant is anybody’s ball game, Rachel Peters told media men at her send off press conference at the Novotel Manila in Quezon City Monday afternoon.
“Everybody is beautiful. Everybody looks good in a bikini,” said the reigning Miss Universe Philippines.
“But the girl who has worked the hardest and the girl who wants it the most will win,” added the entrepreneur and events host.
Peters will leave for Las Vegas on Saturday to compete against over 80 delegates in the 66th Miss Universe pageant, which culminates on Nov. 26 (Nov. 27 in Manila).
She told the Inquirer that she had not personally spoken to 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach after winning in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant in April.
But she said the global queen’s message while they were still Binibining Pilipinas contestants served as her motivation to persevere and give her best for the Philippines.
She assured the Filipino people that she had enough training in walking, hair and make up, styling and speaking from the experts.
Peters is under the wings of beauty queen maker Rodgil Flores, who trained Miss International winners Precious Lara Quigaman and Bea Rose Santiago.
She also said she took an intensive question-and-answer training under TV host Boy Abunda.
The send-off press conference called by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) also included Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational Chanel Olive Thomas and Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental Katarina Sonja Rodriguez.
Thomas will compete in the Miss Supranational pageant in Poland on Dec. 1 (Dec. 2 in Manila), while Rodriguez will participate in the Miss Intercontinental contest in Sri Lanka on Dec. 21.
The ladies said they felt excited for their respective competitions, especially after the winning streak the country had posted this pageant season.
Two other Binibining Pilipinas, who competed earlier, bagged podium finishes.
Elizabeth Clenci finished third in the Miss Grand International pageant in Vietnam on Oct. 26, while Nelda Ibe was second in the Miss Globe contest in Albania on Nov. 3 (Nov. 4 in Manila).
Two other beauties from different national pageant organizations also scored victories.
Karen Ibasco became the fourth Filipino winner in the 17th Miss Earth pageant held in Manila on Nov. 4, while Teresita Ssen Winwyn Marquez became the first Asian queen in the 27th Reina Hispanoamericana contest in Bolivia, also on Nov. 4 (Nov. 5 in Manila).
“We hope to continue the winning streak. We’re excited,” Rodriguez said.
Peters quipped: “If you’re asking if I feel any pressure, no I’m not pressured by it. It just makes me more excited to compete.”
She added: “The Philippines sends the most prepared candidates.” /atm
