BB. PILIPINAS WINNERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, ASPIRATIONS

BINIBINING Pilipinas International Angelica Lopez, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Anna Valencia Lakrini and Binibining Pilipinas 1st Runner-Up Katrina Anne Johnson shared their aspirations and future plans during a visit Friday to the The Manila Times editorial office in Intramuros, Manila.

The three, who were crowned last May 28, met the publication's Chairman Emeritus Dante Arevalo Ang Sr. who congratulated them and wished them luck on their respective international pageants.

Lopez said winning the Bb. Pilipinas International title was a "surreal" experience.

"It took me days just to believe that I'm really Binibining Pilipinas International 2023. It still feels surreal. I'm just so happy and grateful to the Binibining Pilipinas Organization for giving me this wonderful opportunity," said Lopez, who will compete for Miss International next year.

For Lakrini, the competition was a "dream come true." "It was only a couple of days and for me to put into words is hard. And for me as the first one to compete internationally in just a couple of months, I still need time to digest it and to come up with a game plan and to make sure I get that third crown," said Lakrini, who will represent the Philippines in the Miss Globe competition in Tirana, Albania, in October.

Johnson said making the Top 5 over 40 other candidates has not sunk in yet.

"Honestly, I started this journey not being part of the Top 35, and when they added the additional five girls, I was first one to be called. So at that moment, I thought, 'Oh my Gosh, this is a dream.' To not being included among the 35, and to now being here with my sisters, is actually truly amazing."

Pageant fans believe that the three — including Binibining Pilipinas 2nd Runner-Up Atasha Reign Parani — were surprise winners since they were not among the hot picks on social media.

"At the end of the day, we want a woman who can represent the country with pride. The competition is tough. We all have our own messages, life experiences and advocacies to share. So, it means the world to us," Johnson said.

The new Bb. Pilipinas titleholders also gave their advice to those who dream of becoming beauty queens in the future.

"Hard work really pays off. In life, there will be so many rough roads along the way, so many challenges. But if you know to yourself that you really work hard for it and you put your heart and mind into it, then nothing will ever go wrong. Of course, with the power of prayer also," Lopez said.

"Determination also works. Since this is my second time to join, there's really a lot of preparation, but I also believe in myself. It took me quite a while to really believe in myself, especially since I got body shamed last year, so it's really about appreciating my body. Also, stay close to your family because they are really your core," Lakrini said.

Johnson's advice to aspiring beauty queens: "Stay true to yourself. My mom told me not to stray from who you are before, especially now that there are a lot of outside voices and a lot of influences, so it's really easy to think that you're not good enough. But I think if you go back to believing in your purpose, in who you are, and the message that you want to send out to people, I think that will give you the determination and strive to move forward despite what anyone may say or bashing you might receive. It will give you the will to keep on competing."

2023-06-02T17:02:10Z dg43tfdfdgfd