Fil-Belgian wins Face of Tourism Philippines pageant

A Filipino-Belgian was crowned Face of Tourism Philippines 2019 during a pageant held at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City last Sunday.

Roxanne A. Baeyens, 22, of Baguio City, edged out 14 other girls in the tourism-driven contest. She will represent the Philippines in the Miss Tourism Culture Universe 2019 pageant in Myanmar later this year.

"I can’t wait for the next chapter of my journey knowing I have a supportive family beside me," Baeyens said later on Instagram.

A graduate of St. Louis University in Baguio, Baeyens is an artist at Cornerstone Entertainment, Inc., the talent group that handles popular artists such as Angeline Quinto, Claudia Barretto, Dominic Roque, Empoy Marquez, Iñigo Pascual, Jaya, and Yeng Constantino.

During the finals, Baeyens was asked the question: "Why should you be the next Face of Tourism Philippines 2019?"

Her answer: "As a tourism graduate, I've learned one important thing. The best way to find yourself is to lose in the service of others. If I were to gain the crown tonight, I will encourage others to be like me not only to help the environment, contribute to the economy of the Philippines, but teach them even with the

small act of goodness, it could lead to something big;

"That's what makes a winner and that's the life I want to lead.

God is happy if He will give us a gift. But God would be happier if we would be the answer to somebody else's prayer."