Elite Mrs. International Michelle Vitug Encarnacion waited three long years before finally competing abroad./ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — When Michelle Vitug Encarnacion captured the Elite Mrs. Philippines International title toward the end of 2019, she was already gearing for her global competition scheduled in the first quarter of 2020. But that all was put aside when the world ground to a halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After three long years, the entrepreneur was not only finally able to raise the Philippine flag on the international stage, she also gave the country its first Elite Mrs. International crown at the 16th edition of the TKS Mrs. International pageant held at the grand ballroom of Thistle Hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Feb. 26.
Encarnacion, the lone Filipino delegate in the three-category competition, made an impression quite early in the international tilt. She was among the five candidates who went to Singapore ahead of the other delegates for topping the social media segment of the contest, and were rewarded with a limousine tour in the city-state.
She also captured the Best in International Costume award for her “Natura” piece designed by Cebu-based Axel Que. She has also received the Best in Interview award, according to the Mrs. Philippines International organization.
Before Encarnacion left for the international competition, Mrs. Philippines International National Director Maan Cueto Aris already expressed confidence that she would win. “Her heart is pure, her soul is beautiful. You (Encarnacion) need a wider platform with an international scope,” she said of the queen.
Encarnacion promised to give it her best, because “this is about the country, it’s not just me or my province.” Having to wait three long years for the international competition, she used the time to perform her charity missions, something she has started doing with the Onesimo Foundation even before she captured her national crown.
Encarnacion was the last of the 2019 batch of Mrs. Philippines International queens to see action overseas. The other national titleholders from her year all reaped distinctions from their respective overseas assignments, and Encarnacion capped it with a major crown for the country. EDV