Apriel Smith’s best birthday gift ever
Apriel Smith was asked about her birthday wish during the preliminary interview for Binibining Cebu’s top 12 contenders, as she would be turning 22 years old the day after the pageant’s very first coronation night. Little did she know that her dream would come true during the early minutes of her natal day.
Finally commencing on Saturday night at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, and after a year in the making, the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation Inc., and the Bb. Sugbu Charity Foundation Inc. managed to pull off the grandest and most prestigious pageant in Cebu and the first of its kind in the country.
Going down in history as the first ever Binibining Cebu and ultimate Cebuana ambassadress is Smith as she bested 53 other beautiful women who highlighted the cities and municipalities of Cebu.
For the final hurdle, Smith and her fellow Top 5 candidates were asked, “What important lesson should millennials learn?”
“There is only one thing I can share to you: the man of my life has passed away whom I call my father,” the five-foot-seven model began.
“His peaceful goodbye changed my perspective of life, which I can call the values and time.
Because we cannot take time and time is gold. And I know that when you have time with your family, cherish and embrace it, especially the younger ones.
Because we never know when our time is up. And that will be a very important lesson to all the millennials – this value which is time.”
That response was only 40 percent of what made her the star of the night though. Without a doubt, Smith owned the stage, an undisputed queen of the runway as she glided with regality and bearing that was topped off with a beautiful face.
“I'm so happy, I'm so blessed. This is the best birthday gift ever. I was nervous, I thought I was stuttering throughout the question and answer portion. I couldn't believe it,” says the Fil-Am, who took up Tourism at the University of San Carlos but has currently put that on hold as she has been based in Manila as an Aces and Queens talent.
“To anyone being bullied for their appearance, their hair or skin color, don't let anyone step on you because no one can do that to you but yourself. Just believe in yourself and be positive,” adds Smith, who was also chosen Best in Swimsuit.
Along with the prestige of her title and her crown, Smith took home P500,000, a trip to Las Vegas and other sponsor prizes.
Smith's court is Binibining Asturias, 24-year-old Nursing