As Mariel relinquishes Bb. crown: No regrets
In two weeks, Mariel de Leon will relinquish her Bb. Pilipinas-International crown, looking back at her reign without nary a tear.
Asked how she grew up in the past 12 months marked by controversies generated by her being outspoken about issues and people in the news, Mariel told Funfare in an exclusive interview last Monday after she signed up as talent for Leo Dominguez’s LVD Management & Consultancy Services, “It has been life-changing. I have become more confident and sure of myself…mentally, intellectually and emotionally. Growing up, I was a sheltered child. Being exposed to the world helped me grow up and made me stronger. I’m really thankful for that — including even the bad experiences.”
Such as what “bad experiences?”
Laughing, Mariel said, “The controversies. I guess that I was able to handle them very well. Competing in the Miss International pageant (in Tokyo) made me a better person. Now, I don’t have to put up a front or a false face just to please everyone. You just cannot please everyone; there will always be bashers who won’t agree with what you say or do.”
So now, what we see is what we get, right?
“Right! But now, I will have to choose my battles wisely.”
No regrets about anything that she said or she did, especially on social media?
“In terms of what I stand for, my feelings about certain things and my opinion on issues…no regrets. But I could have been more careful in my choice of words. In general, I really stand for what I believe is right.”