Ben Madilynn
Ngayong gabi, September 29, 2024, gaganapin ang grand coronation night ng Miss Grand Philippines 2024 sa Newport Performing Arts Theater sa Pasay City.
Sa beauty pageant na ito ipapasa ng dalawang beauty queens ang kani-kanilang mga korona sa kanilang mga successors.
Si Nikki de Moura ang reigning Miss Grand Philippines at si Maria Gigante naman ang Universal Woman 2024 winner.
Excited si Maria para sa coronation lalo’t nakilala nitong maigi ang 20 contestants na maglalaban-laban para sa mga nabanggit na pageant titles.
At sa pagtatapos ng Miss Grand Philippines 2024, ang payo ng beauty queen-host sa mga kandidata: i-enjoy lang nila for experience.
“I just wanna see them enjoy,” pahayag ni Maria nang makapanayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) tungkol sa pageant.
Naganap ang interview nitong Sabado, September 28, 2024, sa launch ng Dyson Airwrap Stawberry Bronze sa Robinsons Manila.
Photo/s: @paulnebres on Instagram
Patuloy niya, “I’ve gotten to know them na over the course of the last year, na kami yung nag-judge sa mga local franchises nila.
“So I know that they’re very prepared, and they really want it.
“They know what their goal is, they know what Miss Grand crown, they know what it’s about, they know what to pay attention to, their advocacies.
“But more than that, I just wanna see them enjoy
“Kasi, siyempre as a veteran in pageants, di ba, parang minsan na-overtrain, parang over-gigil minsan, over-performed, na nawala na yung fun, yung magic, yung energy na parang ang ganda-ganda ko talaga today.
“So yun yung gusto ko makita sa kanila. Gusto ko makita sa mga mukha nila na nag-enjoy sila.”
May ilang kandidata na ring humingi kay Maria ng advice kung dapat bang mag-modulate sila ng boses pagdating ng question-and-answer segment ng competition.
Payo ni Maria, mas importante ang magiging laman ng kanilang sagot.
Bahagiu ng Cebuana beauty queen, “I got some feedback from the girls this year na parang they wanna know if they should modulate this.
“I know this is so random, right? But they wanna know if they should make their voice high like mine when they host, or low when they answer, just like when I answer.
“But isang secret lang sa kanila, I don’t modulate my voice at all when I’m answering a question.
“I only pay attention and make sure I’m answering the question. Yun lang talaga. Di ba? Kasi what’s in your heart will be felt by the audience.
“And I’m sure we’re gonna proudly be a very stunning Miss Grand.”
MARIA GIGANTEL ON THE NEXT UNIVERSAL WOMAN PHILIPPINES
Excited din si Maria na makilala ang susunod sa kanyang yapak bilang Universal Woman Philippines 2024.
Si Maria ang kinoronahang Universal Woman 2024 sa Phnom Penh, Cambodia noong March 22, 2024.
Para kay Maria, ano nga ba ang isang “Universal Woman.”
Sagot niya, “I think that the first Universal Woman Philippines is somebody who, first and foremost, has very good skills in communication.
“So one, she’s an effective communicator.
“And although she can perform on stage just like anybody else, she’s someone who also has a humble heart.
“Who knows that being a beauty queen is about work, and it’s about lifting others up with you.
“I think that’s the true essence of Universal Woman.
“Working hand-in-hand with women from all over the globe in the name of true inclusivity and sustainability.
“Of course, powering the new era of beauty.”
HOSTING IN CAMBODIA
Nitong nakaraang August 29, si Maria ang isa sa nagsilbing hosts sa Miss Universe Cambodia 2024, na ginanap sa Camwood CTN studio sa Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Laking tuwa ni Maria nang malamang may fans pala siya sa Cambodia.
Kuwento nito, “Sobrang ang ganda ng feeling po. Yung naranasan ko na ang dami ko palang fans sa Cambodia.
“In fact, I checked my Instagram and my largest following is from the Philippines and second to it is Cambodia.
“I heard that when they announced I was gonna host, naging sold-out daw yung buong event. So sobrang special for me for many reasons.
“One, kasi sobrang shocked ako na may Cambodian fans pala.
“Number two, sobrang love nila yung Filipinos dun. As in, meron nga akong i-upload mamaya na reel na I turned the camera to them, tapos in the middle of commercial break sabi nila, ‘Mahal kita!’ Di ba? Alam nila mag-Filipino.”
Special rin ang experience na ito para kay Maria dahil ang kaibigan niyang si Davin Prasath, na siya ring national director ng Universa Woman pageant, ang itinanghal na nanalo sa dulo ng nasabing pageant.
“I got to be there for the crowning moment of my friend, Prasath Davin, who will be competing in Miss Universe in Mexico this year.
“So I’m so happy to be supporting her. And again, this is what Universal Woman is all about.
“She is the national director for Universal Woman Cambodia. Yeah, so we’re really all about lifting each other up.
“It doesn’t matter the branding. It’s just we’re here for each other, di ba? Kasi at the end of the day, pa-good vibes-good vibes naman tayo, di ba?
“Kahit competition pa rin. So thank you so much po. And I hope you stay tuned for Miss Grand kasi may pasabog ako para sa inyo.”
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