Fil-Am beauty queen-cum-calendar girl eyes show biz career

Christelle Abello

Given the opportunity, Filipino-American model Christelle Abello, who finished in the Top 16 of the 2020 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, would love to try her luck in show biz and fulfill her childhood dream of becoming an actress.

“When I was kid growing up [in California], my mom heavily enforced Filipino culture and values in the household. And what better way to learn Tagalog than watching Filipino drama series and movies? We were addicted to them,” she related in a recent virtual conference, which introduced her as the new face of Ginebra San Miguel’s 2021 calendar.

“And when I watch one, it has me telling my parents that I really want to be an actress,” added the 26-year-old pageant hopeful who represented Aklan province in the contest.

Which actors would she love to work with, male and female? “Anne Curtis because I love her personality—she’s humble, down to earth. And Daniel Padilla, too, because I’m a super fan of the KathNiel love team,” she answered.

Christelle won the 2014 Binibining Pilipinas USA. The following year, she moved to the Philippines and joined the 2015 Miss World Philippines where she finished in the Top 10. And while Christelle feels “disappointed” about the “missed opportunity” in this year’s Miss Universe Philippines, she feels that her experience has been an instructive one.

After all, failure, she said, can be a necessity in life. “I look at it as an opportunity for growth and it puts me a step closer toward success,” she said. “Never say die and never give up.”

The year 2020 has been difficult for everyone, especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Christelle pointed out.

“I started a fundraiser (called “Kapit-Bisg Tayo”), which goes in line with my personal advocacy, which is calling on Filipinos all over the world to never forget their roots and heritage; to help our fellowmen in any way possible,” she sad.

“I’m proud of the bayanihan spirit,” Christelle added. —ALLAN POLICARPIO INQ