Angelica Lopez ‘unapologetic’ at Miss International 2024 prelims

Bb. Pilipinas Angelica Lopez/BINIBINING PILIPINAS FACEBOOK PHOTO

TOKYO, Japan — Binibining Pilipinas Angelica Lopez declared how proud she is of herself during her interview at the preliminary evaluation of the 2024 Miss International pageant.

Lopez, one of the few dusky beauties to bag the Bb. Pilipinas International crown, shared that she used to be criticized for her complexion when she won her title in last year’s national pageant.

“I have received a lot of criticism because they said that I am not fit to become Miss International because of my skin color,” Lopez shared during the interview round of the evaluation, where she appeared in a modern two-piece Filipiniana attire, with a structured white lace top employing the signature butterfly sleeves, paired with wide-legged blue trousers, designed by Daniel Manila.

The preliminary evaluation, previously conducted behind closed-doors, was opened to the public for the first time. The ladies also paraded in swimsuit during the event, held at the Professional University of Beauty and Wellness in Yokohama on Sunday, Nov. 10.

“I always believed that I am the best representation of my countrymen, the Filipinos, and that is why I am here, standing in front of you, to share [with] other people our culture, tradition, heritage, and the values and the stories as well of the Filipino people,” Lopez continued.

“And I will not be apologetic for who I am. I want to stay true to who I really am as a person, and to resonate what is inside of me, the authenticity, resilience, the kindness and the goodness of the heart that I have, to further inspire and empower others around me,” she added.

Lopez’s recent predecessors were fair-skinned, which pageant pundits attributed to the Miss International pageant’s apparent standard for its queens. The most recent dusky beauty to raise the Philippine flag on the Miss International stage was her fellow Palaweña Janicel Lubina, who finished in the Top 10, and was proclaimed as “Best Dresser.”

“I am just so, so grateful to be here, because I know I am touching lives of so many, many people, not only touching the Philippines, but internationally,” continued Lopez, who punctuated her response with a low bow, as a sign of respect customary in Japanese culture.

The Philippines is targeting a seventh victory in the Tokyo-based international pageant, that resulted in the campaign “#Ange7ica7opez” on social media. Previous Filipino winners were Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Rose Santiago (2013), and Kylie Verzosa (2016).

The 2024 Miss International coronation night will be held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Seventy-one delegates are competing for the crown currently held by Andrea Rubio, the ninth winner from Venezuela.