KAWIT, Cavite, Philippines — Although admitting she felt stressed for the Miss International 2019 pageant, the Philippines bet Bea Patricia Magtanong said she could not be more excited to show what she prepared for the upcoming competition.

“Right now, medyo stressed [ako] ang dami kong kailangan [gawin], nauubos na yung oras. Pero I think I’m on time naman, and alam mo yung sobrang pagnag-prepare ka, alam mo yung isang bagay, excited ka na naipakita sa lahat,” Magtanong said during the sidelines of the #TaraSaKawit local tourism launch.

(Right now, I’m stressed because I have a lot of things to do, I don’t have time. Pero I think I’m on time, and you know that when you’re really prepared for it, you’re excited to show them.)

“I’m so excited na makita niyo yung prine-pare ko at ng team namin dahil maraming tumulong sa akin,” she added.

(I’m so excited to show you what I and my team prepared, as a lot of people helped.)

Magtanong also shared what advice she got from previous Miss International bets before her.

“Sabi ni Ahtisa [Manalo, Miss International 2018 first runner-up] sa akin, ‘Don’t forget to enjoy the moment.’ Kasi siya, masyado siyang na-stress, masyado siyang nag-focus on winning na minsan nakakalimutan niyang to bond with other girls,” Magtanong said.

(Ahtisa told me to don’t forget to enjoy the moment. Because unlike her, she told me that she got too stressed, she was too focused on winning that she forgot to bond with the other girls.)

Magtanong also bared the words of wisdom she got from Kylie Verzosa, Miss International 2016: “Pagdating ko daw dun, I have to prove everyone that I deserve the crown, kasi lahat kayo maganda and kailangan mo ipaglaban yung crown.”

(When I get there, I have to prove to everyone that I deserve the crown, because all of you are beautiful, so you need to fight for the crown.)

And as part of her preparations, the beauty queen hinted that her national costume will be Mindanao-inspired, and is made by a “very talented” famous designer whom she refused to name.

The 59th edition of the Miss International pageant is set to take place at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan on Nov. 12. /jpv