Miss Supranational Andrea Aguilera. Image from Instagram / The Miss Philippines
Reigning Miss Supranational Andrea Aguilera is in the country to grace the inaugural edition of The Miss Philippines Culture and Heritage Celebration, and she wants to find a quality that she can feel, rather than see, from the eventual national queen.
The Ecuadorian beauty arrived at the Terminal 1 of Ninoy Aguino International Airport in Pasay City morning of Oct. 22, and INQUIRER.net joined her on her short trip on the way to the Dusit Thani hotel in in Makati City for a conversation about her visit to Manila for The Miss Philippines and the counterpart male competition Mister Pilipinas Worldwide.
Aguilera said that rather than looking for a kind of a woman to wear the crown, she will look for “a kind soul” who best befits the title.
“For me, it’s more important to see and feel what they can transmit to the world. More than how tall, how they walk, how they look, it’s more important what they transmit to the people around them — how lovely, how sweetheart, how kind they are with the elders—for me, this is something that you can feel more than see,” she explained.
Aguilera had just arrived from Malaysia before arriving in Manila. Aguilera’s title has taken her on an Asian tour which will also bring her to Vietnam next.
“I was more than excited because Asia for me represents a lot. I’m very comfortable when I’m here in Asia because your culture, your traditions, your point of view, your way to see the things in the world make me feel that I am home,” she said.
“I feel very happy, peaceful, and I really enjoy the food. I really enjoy the weather because, you know, I come from a country with different weathers, but I come from the coast. It’s a hot weather. So I feel very nice here,” she continued.
The beauty queen also said that holding the title has so far exceeded her expectations. “Miss Supranational, for me, is more than a beauty pageant because they care a lot for social causes, to be a real great ambassador for the brand. And I’m so happy to work with them. My values are aligned with them, with their values. I have just four months since the crowning day, and I have been really happy to work. They’re an amazing team,” shared Aguilera, the first winner from Ecuador in the global tilt’s 14-year run.
Aguilera will be joined by another international titleholder in Manila, Mister International Kim Goodburn from Thailand, who was crowned in the male search’s 15th edition in Bangkok last month. The two will attend the back-to-back final competition of The Miss Philippines and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Oct. 24, starting at 5 p.m.
Thai actor Nattawat Jirochtikul will also stage his Philippine comeback in the twin events, with “Diwata” and “Dalisay” hitmaker Sam Concepcion opening the show with his new single “Otomatika.” Gigi De Lana and her band The Gigi Vibes will also perform during the program, while Josh Cullen from P-Pop group SB19 will close the evening.
Twenty-one ladies will vie for the crown currently held by Miss Supranational first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx, while 17 gentlemen are competing to succeed Mister Pilipinas Supranational Johannes Rissler.
Aside from earning the right to represent the country in some of the most prestigious international competitions for men and women, the winners will also each bring home their own Wuling electric mini vehicle, and custom trophy designed by Jef Albea.
Former Miss Universe Philippines winners Rabiya Mateo and Beatrice Luigi Gomez, and Miss Charm first runner-up Annabelle McDonnell will host The Miss Philippines final show, while former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Andre Brouillette will handle the Mister Pilipinas Worldwide program.
The twin events will serve as the culmination of the first-ever The Filipino Festival, a month-long celebration of Philippine culture and heritage through “The Filipino Food and Products Fest,” “The Filipino Music Fest,” “The Filipino Fashion Fest,” and “The Filipino Film Fest.”
The winners of the music, fashion, and film fests will also be announced during the show. EDV