Miss Supranational first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx with her proud parents Paul and Erlinda. Image: Facebook/Pauline Amelinckx
MANILA, Philippines—Days after her warm homecoming in Bohol, 2023 Miss Supranational first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx took to social media to share her international accomplishment with the people responsible for making her the woman that she has become, her parents Paul and Erlinda.
“Victory is sweeter when I get to share it with them [blue heart emoji],” the Belgian-Filipino beauty queen said on social media, posting a photograph of her with both parents, wearing the crown and sash she received at the culmination of the international pageant in Malopolska, Poland, last month. Ecuador’s Andrea Aguilera captured the top title.
“Papa taught me discipline and dedication to [oneself]. Mama taught me kindness. And it’s about kindness that I wanna talk about now,” continued the 27-year-old host and model in her post.
“It has been about three weeks since the coronation night of [Miss Supranational] where [Aguilera] was crowned [red heart emoji]. In a competition like that, we all give our heart and soul to be the best representation of the country and its people we bring forth,” Amelinckx said.
She said she saw Aguilera’s dedication and passion to be her best for Ecuador. “This journey has taught me that even when we didn’t achieve what we set our minds to, we could have still achieved so many other things, things we didn’t expect or prayed for but which still hold so much meaning and value if we allow ourselves to see that [praying hands emoji],” she added.
Amelinckx reiterated her declaration of finding “pride and peace” in bringing the Philippines back to the Top 2 of the Miss Supranational pageant, and then lamented the online vitriol within the global pageant community. “Recently I heard about all the hate that Andrea has received. I know very well how it feels like to receive PMs or even e-mails with hurtful messages. But no one deserves to go through that,” she revealed.
She reiterated her plea for kindness and sobriety. “That’s why I want to speak up about this. I will never tell you how to act or how to feel, but I can only hope that we always [choose] to be kind and not add to the hate already present in our world. To make life even more beautiful is up to us [twinkling stars emoji],” she said.
Amelinckx said she still believes that “pageantry is a platform that brings people together, and it’s by uniting that we can make the greatest change.”
She concluded her message with the line, “I’m sending love, smiles and warm hugs.”
Her journey to the Miss Supranational pageant spanned years. She first captured a national title at the 50th anniversary edition of the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant in 2018, but her international competition in Korea was later scrapped. She then joined the first Miss Universe Philippines contest in 2020, and finished as third runner-up.
In 2022, she went for another shot at the title, but fell short and was proclaimed as Miss Universe Philippines-Charity. She enlisted for the national search for the third time this year, and eventually got the Miss Supranational Philippines crown.
The hunt for her national successor has already begun with the call for applicants for “The Miss Philippines Culture and Heritage Celebration,” the newest national competition in the country that will also proclaim the successor of Miss Charm Philippines Krishnah Gravidez.
The Miss Philippines, along with “Mister Pilipinas Worldwide,” will serve as back-to-back culminating events for “The Filipino Festival” in October, a month-long celebration mounted by Empire Holdings, the same team behind the annual Miss Universe Philippines pageant. The festival will showcase the country’s culture and heritage through food, arts and crafts, music, film, and fashion and beauty, with international celebrities expected to take part in the festivities.
Successful applicants of The Miss Philippines and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide will also promote the country’s culture and heritage by serving as influencers who will show the best of the Philippines to the world.
Visit the official social media accounts of The Miss Philippines, Mister Pilipinas Worldwide, and The Filipino Festival for more information, or send an e-mail to infor@empire.ph.
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