Beauty queens’ treasured love letters, rosary bracelet

Justine Gabionza with her daughter

One might think pageant winners would choose their sashes and crowns as their favorite things. Not for these beauties, who place more importance on items that tug at their hearts and bring a smile to their faces.

Model and Bb. Pilipinas World 2009 Ann Umali-Lontoc said her favorite things are folders filled with love letters.

“My husband (Geronimo Lontoc Jr.) gave them to me when we were still dating up to the present. Now I have another folder, this time fille with artworks, cards and random love notes from my 7-year-old daughter, Sabrina,” Ann said.

The mother of two attended the opening of the Timezone branch at Filinvest Mall recently wearing a terno top over a T-shirt and jeans. She gamely tried her hand at bowling even in her high heels.

Ann keeps the folders in a drawer near her bed. “They are very special to me because they come from the hearts of my favorite people. I also love looking back and reading them from time to time,” she said.

For protection, good luck

For Justine Gabionza, Miss Tourism Queen International 2006 and a favorite model of designers, friendships are forever. Her favorite thing is a rosary bracelet from the Manaoag shrine given to her by a high school friend. She brings the brown rosary with brass accents everywhere she goes.

Ann Umali-Lontoc

“It can fit into my small pouch that I put in my handbag. My friend said she gave it to me for protection and good luck because she knows I’m always with my daughter, and that I sometimes go out of town or out of the country for work,” Justine said.

There are times, she said, when she forgets to pack her wallet or other important items in her bag. “As much as I want to feel bad about forgetting to pack the other stuff, I realize that at the end of the day, all I really need is protection and good luck.” INQ