G for Gallant
Are stars also aligning for Karen Gallman?
Are stars also aligning for Karen Gallman?
The Philippines has come so close to winning the Miss Intercontinental crown twice with Christi McGarry and Katarina Rodriguez both finishing first runner-up in the pageant in 2015 and 2017, respectively.
In 2019, Filipino fans and supporters from all over the world are hoping, wishing and praying (big time!) that Karen Gallman would snag the title, signaling a good start in the country’s beauty pageant scene.
Making the event more special is that Karen will complete in front of her countrymen. Miss Intercontinental 2018 happening at the Mall of Asia Arena on Jan. 26.
“With Miss Intercontinental 2018 being held in my nation, it makes me very proud because not only will I have my country supporting me there on stage every minute, but because it gives everyone on the outside, the chance to see our amazing country,” she said in her video for Miss Intercontinental released recently.
Sure, the pressure is on for the beauty queen knowing that her “sister” Catriona Gray just bagged the Miss Universe 2018 crown.
But what are her chances, really?
••• Beautiful face
Karen is not new to pageantry, having first joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2012 at the age of 19.
Though she only finished as finalist, pageant watchers described her as one of the candidates with the prettiest face. Her return to the competition got everyone excited. Take note that at 5’5” (most winners are 5’6’’ and above), she was even listed as among the toughest competitor.
Pageant blogger/coach Norman Tiñio described Karen in his blog as a “silent killer.”
He also explained that she may look pensive and mysterious most of the time, but once you get to sit down and talk to her, a more relaxed side starts to appear. Woman of substance
Apparently, Karen received flak for her Q&A response at the Bb. Pilipinas pageant.
Question: “Do you agree that a third restroom should be built for transgenders?
pageant, she revised her answer to: “If I had my moment again with the composure I needed in those 30 seconds... The words that didn’t resonate for me in that moment were to be ‘Yes I believe there should be a third restroom for transgender. However, only as an alternative, for those who are yet to fully embrace such a transitional change. Everyone is equal no matter what shape, sex, religion or race but in today’s world, its upsetting that we still have discrimination.”
In a previous interview with Bulletin
Entertainment, Karen explained she favors building a transgender restroom because she wants to give people “option.”
“If anyone feels uncomfortable lang to go to male or female comfort room,” she said. “It’s just an option. There was no intention to offend anyone for that matter.”
She stressed she has high regards for LGBT community.
“To be honest I would say, ‘It’s not really up to me to decide. If the LGBT community prefers to have a third bathroom then so be it, that’s fine. If they don’t want then that’s also fine as long as there’s a respect. They respect each other’s privacy and space then it’s totally fine.’”
Beauty with a heart
Karen is not just armed with beauty and sexy body, but also with a solid advocacy.
That is to improve education for primary and secondary school in rural areas in the Philippines.
In her video interview posted on the Bb. Pilipinas website, Karen said growing up in Bohol made her see the hardships students go through just to attend school.
“I was born and raised in Bohol and experienced attending primary school there. I realize there’s a huge lack of teaching materials and quality in primary and secondary education,” she said. “We would walk for 30 minutes to an hour just to go to school. Sleeping is included, so you have to go back and forth.”
Prior to joining Bb. Pilipinas for the second time, Karen worked as an operations analyst in a company in London.