3 pageant winners poised to grab honors for PH

By: Manila Bulletin Entertainment Updated October 4, 2017, 5:50 PM

Ready to represent! This was the assurance of Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Elizabeth Clenci, Bb. Pilipinas International Mariel de Leon, and Bb. Pilipinas Globe Nelda Ibe as they prepare to take off for their upcoming pageants.

During a send-off party held by Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) on Tuesday, Clenci, De Leon, and Ibe shared how they prepared for their international competitions and guaranteed their supporters that they were 100% ready for their pageants.

Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2017 Elizabeth Clenci, Bb. Pilipinas International Mariel De Leon, and Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2017 Nelda Ibe during the Bb.Pilipinas send-off at Cubao, Quezon City, Oct. 3,2017. (CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN)

Clenci, De Leon, and Ibe will be competing on October 25 (Vietnam), November 3 (Albania), and November 14 (Japan), respectively.

The three queens said they were not pressured by the achievements of their forerunners.

“I’ve been working very hard. I never really focused on what my predecessors have achieved. We are our own individuals; this is our own journey; We’ve learned and grown so much as individuals and that is the most important thing,” said Clenci, recently appointed Peace Ambassador.

Bb. Pilipinas International bet De Leon said that she focuses on bettering herself, instead of comparing.

“I never compare myself to other people it’s more [of] challenging myself to be better. Of course, I’m going to work hard in the competition; I’m going to give it my all. I’ll try my best to get a back to back win. If God grants me and blesses me with a crown I’ll be very happy,” said De Leon.

De Leon added that she doesn’t want to pressure herself, saying: “I believe in pageants, you’re there to gain experience and to grow as a woman. Of course I’ll work hard to take home the crown, but I’ll accept whatever God’s plan is.”

De Leon’s predecessor, Kylie Verzosa, bagged the Miss International crown in 2016.

Ibe, meanwhile, said she had focused on her training for the past few months and that her precursors, Nichole Manalo (Miss Globe 3rd Runner-up) and Ann Lorraine Colis (Miss Globe 2015) helped her with her preparations by give her advice.

Asked about their advantage among their competitors and what makes them different as queens, the three beauties had one answer — that they are strong, intelligent and empowered Filipinas.

“You know us beauty queens, we’re not just here to sit and stand and be pretty, we’re here because we have a platform, were here to speak out on what is right, what is wrong, about different issues,” De Leon said.

“These girls [Nelda and Mariel] are the most incredible women. They’re so beautiful, kind-hearted, intelligent, powerful woman and the Philippines is an incredible, awesome country, and they have amazing representatives for the pageants,” Clenci stated.

Bb. Pilipinas Globe representative, Ibe, added that her being a Filipina already gives her an edge in the competition.

The three queens vowed to push for their advocacy, if they win in their respective competitions.

De Leon said she will use her crown and social media hand-in hand to spread her advocacy to promote traditional and classical arts, music, and culture.

“I think in our advantage now, where social media is very prominent, .it’s about spreading the word, talking about it. Even with just with one sentence, it would spread so much. It’s about being connected to people,” she stated.

Ibe said she will use her title to seek help for her advocacy — providing homes for street children. “Hopefully, when I win the crown, I’ll be able to seek help from the private sector and government.”

Peace Ambassador, Clenci, whose advocacy is promoting peace, said she will focus on bringing awareness on “creating equality, effective communication, and diversity.” (Noreen Jazul)

https://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2017/10/04/3-pageant-winners-poised-to-grab-honors-for-ph/