Gwendolyne Fourniol, Michelle Arceo share what makes their dads awesome

Gwendolyne Fourniol (left) and Michelle Arceo. Images: Armin P. Adina/INQUIRER.net

Reigning national beauty titlists Gwendolyne Fourniol and Michelle Arceo will spend Father’s Day away from their dads, but that will not stop them from expressing their appreciation for the most important men in their lives.

Fourniol, reigning Miss World Philippines, said her father Thierry is currently working for the government in Belgium, so she will have to rely on technology to celebrate and share her greeting.

“I’m very grateful for him. He has taught me to be strong, resilient, and very independent. And that’s why since the age of 18, I decided to live my life and decide my future and destiny,” she told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of the 2024 Miss World Philippines Press Presentation held at Seda Manila Bay in Parañaque City on Saturday, June 15.

Miss World Philippines Gwendolyne Fourniol/ARMIN P. ADINA

Arceo, who finished as “Segunda Finalista” (second runner-up) in the 2023 Reina Hispanoamericana pageant in Bolivia, is also living away from her dad Michael Cain. “Both my parents are in California. So ako lang dito (it’s just me here),” she said.

When asked what makes her father amazing, the singer quipped “lahat (everything),” and confessed that she is a Daddy’s Girl. “He really took care of me growing up, because my mom was the breadwinner, and she was always out working,” she said.

“I was raised by my dad most of the time. So that alone makes him a superhero in my eyes. And being able to put food on the table for me, take me to school every single day, it was a really nice experience,” Arceo added.

“He taught me the ‘boy sports.’ So it kinda made me a tomboy in that sense, and really made me rough around the edges. And I really appreciate it and has made me into the woman that I am today, which is strong and powerful, and I super appreciate that,” she continued.

Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas Michelle Arceo/ARMIN P. ADINA

Both ladies said they would not pass up the chance to greet their dads on Father’s Day. Fourniol said, “I will call him, of course, when it hits midnight in Belgium. I will call him, and I will greet him. And it will be as if we’re together. But, of course, long-distance connections with families are very hard, but I try to make it work.”

She observed that even though it is unusual for fathers to create bonds with their daughters as strong as mothers do, she loves both her parents equally. “He’s taught me to be a woman who will never give up a fight, and will always stand up for herself. Thank you, Papa, je t’aime, mahal kita, I love you,” Fourniol shared.

Arceo will also call her dad to tell him, “Hi Daddy, Happy Father’s Day. Super love and appreciate everything that you’ve done for me, especially growing up. And you really molded me into the woman that I am today. But I just wanna say I love you, and I miss you so much. I wish I could be in the States right now, but I’ll see you guys soon.”

The two ladies will crown their respective successors at the culmination of the 2024 Miss World Philippines pageant, in ceremonies to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on July 19. The Miss Philippines Tourism title, currently held by comedienne Herlene Budol, is also at stake in the competition.