Patricia Javier convinces fellow actress Cristina Gonzales Romualdez to try pageantry

Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez (right) with Respect: Noble Queen of the Universe national director Patricia Javier. Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer/Armin P. Adina

MANILA, Philippines—Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez has gone a long way, from being a showbiz daughter and an entertainer herself, to being a public servant. But later this week, she will be adding a literal crown on her head when she carries the Visayas at the coronation program of Respect: Noble Queen of the Universe in Japan.

It was her fellow actress Patricia Javier who convinced her to take part in something that she had never thought of participating in, the former Tacloban City mayor and former actress-singer told the Inquirer at the sidelines of her presentation as one of the country’s flagbearers at the pageant organization’s Christmas party held at Windmills and Rainforest in Quezon City on Dec. 18.

“I never experienced joining pageants before, I only wanted to do acting, singing, and dancing. And Patricia, being Noble Queen 2019, who is also my friend, she was the one who really encouraged me. Actually she did it last year, but I told her ‘not yet’ because of the pandemic,” Romuladez said.

Javier was crowned Noble Queen of the Universe in the competition’s inaugural edition in 2019. Noble Queen of the Universe Ltd. Inc. (NQULI) founder Eren Noche later appointed her for the dual role of national director for the Philippines, and international director.

Romualdez said she learned about NQULI’s advocacy, and found it to be in line with her charity work in Tacloban City, first as a councilwoman, and later as mayor. “It would be nice to join a group of women who have the same advocacy that I am also doing. You’ll be more encouraged to do it as a team. That’s what convinced me,” she shared.

The Respect: Noble Queen of the Universe coronation program will be held at the Tokyo Prince Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, on Dec. 29. The organization narrowed down the final participants to the Top 8 delegates, who will all receive international titles.

“Whatever crown I receive, I will use to continue the advocacy that I have been doing before. I’ll be joining [NQULI] and also work on their advocacy,” Romualdez declared.

She said she hopes to further expand her advocacy work for women and children that is still ongoing in Tacloban City. She has helped build a shelter for abused women and children in the city, and is looking forward to bringing the initiative to other places.

“Now with [NQULI], it will be better because we could take this beyond Tacloban,” Romualdez said.  /ra

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