WHEN Angelee Claudett de los Reyes failed to make the grade as 2011 Binibining Pilipinas official candidate, she did not lose hope. Instead, she saw it as a challenge to improve her chances next time.
ANGELEE Claudett de los. Photo by Reyes RICHARD REYES
After all, her goal was to bag a national beauty title. She had previously been crowned Binibining Zambales (2007) and Binibining Olongapo (2008). Then she tried her luck at the national tilts Mutya ng Pilipinas (she was a semifinalist) and Miss Philippines-Earth, where she emerged Miss Talent.
“My Binibini experience put me on this new level in my pageant career,” the 23-year-old nurse told Inquirer Entertainment. “When I failed there, I reviewed the videos and photos to see which aspects I need to work on.”
Optimistic
The 5’6” charmer describes herself as a positive and optimistic person. “I consider every failure as a chance to work harder and get better,” she said.
Claudett was crowned Miss Bikini Philippines at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City on April 12, besting 26 competitors and taking home more than P500,000 worth of cash and prizes. She will represent the country in the Miss Bikini International contest set in China.
Her winning formula? Being herself.
“I used to be too technical. I didn’t enjoy my self because my focus was on getting the crown,” she revealed. “This time around I just showed my real self.”
Bottom line
She added: “But the bottom line is faith in God. Whenever I join beauty tilts, I bring a small rosary that I loop around my finger like a ring. It makes me feel God is with me when I’m alone on stage.”
For this last tilt, Claudett said, she fervently prayed a novena to the Nuestra Señora in Orani, Bataan.
“The ninth day of my prayers fell on pageant day. Instead of rehearsing the numbers I was to perform, I just prayed. I think that was also one of the keys to my victory,” Claudett said.