Ready for the crown
Binibining Pilipinas Miss Universe 2017 Rachel Peters is set to give her all in the name of beauty and Pinoy pride
Binibining Pilipinas Miss Universe 2017 Rachel Peters is set to give her all in the name of beauty and Pinoy pride
All the girls are beautiful, all the girls looks great in a bikini. But at the end of the day, the girl who wins the crown is the girl who worked the hardest, who is the most prepared, and the girl who wants it the most.
What a difference a day makes: By tomorrow, if heaven continues to smile on her, Binibining Pilipinas Miss Universe 2017 Rachel Peters would bring home the most prestigious crown in beauty pageantry.
In an interview, the 26-year-old said she has been preparing non-stop, especially for the question and answer portion when the pageant is held in Las Vegas, USA.
“I have a Q&A notebook I’ve been compiling over for the last few months since even before Binibini, so I read that everyday,” she said.
She’s also doing Q&A practice sessions with people from her training camp Kagandahang Flores under the wings of beauty queen maker and stage director Rodgil Flores – who also trained Miss International winners Precious Lara Quigaman and Bea Rose Santiago.
“But most importantly, I think it’s my training with Tito Boy Abunda that has really helped me and given me, like, a much needed confidence boost.”
As seen a few days ago, Rachel showcases elegance and confidence in what she calls her “infinity walk.”
“We have, like, a standard walk that we are all taught during the Binibini. However, once you enter the international level, that’s where you’ll be able to show who you really are, your personality,” she said.
Of course, the beauty queen has been getting support from our very own Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
“She’s been so kind to me,” she said. “She’s been giving me a lot of tips especially because it’s in Vegas – same hotel, same venue (where Pia won her crown).”
Pros and cons
In competing with over 80 delegates, Rachel believes her background as host and entrepreneur gives her some leverage.
“Well, it’s given me very good people skills – planning and organizational skills,” she said. “So I think it would help me to be more organized, being able to think on what you feel as well, being able to adopt to different situations.”
What does she think is her biggest advantage?
“I think my advantage, you know, is I’m coming from the Philippines,” she said. “As everyone knows, the Philippines is a power house (in beauty pageants). I’ve been so privileged to have so many people wanting to help me and working with me to create the person I am today, the clothes I’m wearing, just all that. I think that’s it by far.”
She knows winning requires hard work and doing everything “with conviction.”
“All the girls are beautiful, all the girls looks great in a bikini. But at the end of the day, the girl who wins the crown is the girl who worked the hardest, who is the most prepared, and the girl who wants it the most.”
Val Taguba made some of her gowns, particularly her national costume which was Sarimanok-inspired.
“Its different, it’s very different so prepare to be shocked,” she said at the time of interview.
Rachel is confident she’ll bring home the crown.
“You have to go into something like this being confident in yourself and your abilities because you know the moment you doubt yourself, it’s game over,” she said.
The beauty queen added she doesn’t feel any pressure at all, only excitement.
Lesson
What impression of the Philippines does she hope to make, we asked.
“I just want them to remember the Philippines or me I guess representing the Filipino community as somebody who is hardworking, somebody who is kind, who is patient and compassionate.”
Rachel wants to share the culture of our country and promote how amazing the Philippines is.
“It’s something I do all the time because I’m so proud to be a Filipino. It’s such a huge honor to represent the country,” she said.
One advice she brings with her to the competition comes from her mom.
“Though she lives in Thailand, she still follows my journey and probably the most important thing my mom taught me is to really enjoy myself.”
If she wins, Rachel intends to use the platform to “do good in the world.”
“I believe having the crown is a fantastic opportunity to learn more issues and be able to help in whatever way we can, whatever cause it is.”
The Filipino-British model thinks her toughest competitors are Maria Lynn Ehren of Thailand and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa.
Go for gold
At the same press conference organized by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017 Katarina Rodriguez and Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2017 Chanel Olive Thomas also bid their farewells.
Chanel will compete in the Miss Supranational pageant in Poland on Dec. 2 while Katarina will participate in the Miss Intercontinental contest in Egypt by January next year.
The beauty queens, together with Rachel, revealed they’re excited to compete particularly as two other Binibining Pilipinas winners – Elizabeth Clenci and Nelda Ibe, who competed earlier – finished third in the Miss Grand International pageant in Vietnam on Oct. 26 and second in the Miss Globe contest in Albania on Nov. 4, respectively.
Note that Karen Ibasco and Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez from different national pageant organizations also took home triumph and made history after becoming the fourth Filipino winner in the 17th Miss Earth pageant held in Manila on Nov. 4, and the first Asian queen in the 27th Reina Hispanoamericana contest in Bolivia, Nov. 5, respectively.
“It makes me feel really proud,” Rachel said. “These girls set a bar really high for us and that makes me really wanna work even more harder and do even more better than I imagine. Thank you girls for motivating and inspiring us.”
The beauty queen promised she will do her best “enough to bring home the crown.”
“I really want to do it because Filipinos have been there supporting me since I won the Binibini and I’m very very grateful and thankful for all the love and support.”