‘No added pressure’: Miss Un iverse PHL bet unveiled as 2021 Ginebra calendar girl
THERE was no visible tension on the bright, long face of Christelle Abello, who shone Tuesday night in her wide smile and Ginebra San Miguel’s iconic red dress as she was launched as the beverage brand’s new calendar girl for 2021.
The 25-year-old communications graduate from the US was in Baguio during the first virtual launch in more than 30 years of Ginebra’s rich calendar history, preparing for the coronation of the maiden Miss Universe Philippines pageant last Sunday.
“There’s no added pressure,” said Abello, who represented the province of Aklan in the beauty contest. “For the most part, I’ve just become more confident about myself. It just made me all the more happy, all the more blessed, and I’m just so grateful. I feel ganado talaga sa buhay.”
Abello described her life as “simple yet busy.” She was as a full-time college student based in California with her mother from Cavite and father from Aklan. After joining and winning her first beauty contest in the US, Abello decided to pursue a career in pageantry in the country, where she participated in Miss World Philippines 2015, finishing in the Top 13.
She points to Miss Universe 2015 and Ginebra San Miguel 2019 calendar girl Pia Wurtzbach as her inspiration. During Abello’s visits to the country in past years, she would drive past hulking advertising materials all over the streets featuring celebrities, and promised herself that “balang araw, magkaka- billboard din ako.”
Now the face of the Ginebra calendar, joining the likes of her inspiration Pia and this year’s calendar girl Sanya Lopez, Abello said that she’s “overwhelmed, thrilled, and excited all at the same time.”
According to Allan P. Mercado, Ginebra San Miguel Inc. national sales and marketing manager, Abello personifies the brand’s latest campaign, One Ginebra Nation, with her love for her countrymen.
Abello started a fundraiser, called “KapitBisig Tayo,” in line with her personal advocacy of reminding Filipinos all over the world to never forget their heritage, and to help fellow kababayans in any way possible. Abello reached out to her family and friends to help Filipinos who were out of work because of the pandemic, and to support frontliners.
“I think kindness goes a long way, no matter how small,” she said. “I’m really proud of our bayanihan spirit.”
The theme for the Ginebra San Miguel’s 2021 calendar is “Ganado sa Bahay,” a tweak on the brand’s “Ganado sa Buhay” slogan to reflect the new normal where people are advised to stay home and stay safe. There are six layouts that feature Abello in different at-home activities.
In one edition, the beauty queen is seen painting in a black lingerie, saying that recreational activities are especially important these days for maintaining mental health. There is a layout of Abello showing her gamer side as well, and another where she practices yoga.
“We want people to see that life can still go on kahit nasa loob lang tayo ng bahay,” she said. “We can still enjoy, at pwede pa tayong matuto and improve ourselves. We can still dream and be productive.”
As for her hopes for next year, Abello said she will try to look at each day to better herself. “I want to continue to progress in my goals and dreams and work hard for it.”