From ‘halo-halo’ to ‘chicharon,’ Sheynnis Palacios gets taste of Filipino warmth

Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina

Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios has endeared herself to Filipinos on her first Manila trip with her enigmatic charm that has made her fans love her even more.

Speaking at her press conference at the Kao Manila club at the Newport Mall in Pasay City on May 2, the Nicaraguan beauty surprised the guests when she greeted them in Filipino. “Mabuhay Pilipinas. Mahal kita, Pilipinas. Ako si Sheynnis Palacios, ako si Miss Universo,” she said.

Palacios arrived in Manila on May 1, and will be staying until May 7 for a series of Miss Universe Philippines activities. Her visit was made possible by Empire Philippines, the team behind the annual national pageant.

She arrived just as Manila is experiencing sweltering weather, the Latina beauty never lost her charm, delighting her Filipino fans and the press with her wit and humility, saying she loved everything it has to offer. In return, Palacios was a willing recipient of warmth and hospitality that Filipinos are known for.

Asked to describe the Philippines, she said she had a change of “perception” when she got here, saying the Filipinos are humble.

“Before I arrived here, I heard a lot about the Philippines. To be honest with all of you, my perception of you now is all better because you are an amazing people, and you make me feel so grateful to meet all of you. You really believed in Miss Universe, in our platform, and thank you for that. You celebrate my reign as your reign. Thank you for supporting me, with your direction and with your love. I love the Philippines,” she said.

The reigning queen also shared that she enjoyed the country’s cuisine. “Yesterday we tried halo-halo, and it’s a refreshing dessert, and very, very delicious. I know about beef mechado, and I ate lechon. Filipino food is very delicious, I ate very, very well,” Palacios said.

Online content creator Adam Genato also made her try out “chicharon” (pork rind cracklings), which she said is similar to the chicharrones in her country. “Viva el chicharon! Delicioso (Long live the chicharon, delicious)… For this, I will break my diet,” Palacios jested.

Her trip to Manila is part of her Asian tour, that already brought her to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and China. “It is the first time that I’ve visited Asia, many countries here with warm people, humble people, like myself. And the most important, in fact, [is] my heart. Because every single people here makes me feel like home, made me feel grateful to be Miss Universe,” Palacios shared.

The reigning queen said she is a woman who wants to leave a legacy. “I want to help the people around the world, and obviously and absolutely help women. Because this is our time, this is the (time for women). Now Sheynnis is happy with who she is, and happy with the work that she does as Miss Universe,” she said.

“But the most important is, grateful to God for this moment in my life, because it changed not only my life, it changed the lives of all the women who want to be part of our platform, Miss Universe Organization (MUO),” she continued, referring to the pageant’s measures promoting inclusivity, embracing diversity, and expanding its reach.

Palacios also said her victory marked a “new era” for the organization, as the winner of the competition where the new ownership oversaw everything, and all the delegates have been chosen after the business takeover. This year also marked the partnership between JKN Global Group from Thailand and Legacy Holding from Mexico, to share ownership of MUO.

“It’s no coincidence that we start with a new organization to open, not close, around the world. It is the perfect opportunity for us, all the women who want to deliver a message, to leave a legacy, to work for our society,” she continued.

“I believe in women. I believe that we can do better, and better work for the world, for us, for our society,” Palacios declared.

MUO Vice President for Global Partnerships Olivia Quido-Co, the California-based Filipino entrepreneur who accompanied Palacios in her Manila visit, said this year’s international competition will be the biggest in history with 120 confirmed participants.

Palacios has graciously smiled, waved, and took pictures with the Filipino people who saw her since her arrival. And even more Filipinos will have a chance to see her in person during her motorcade at the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City on May 5.

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