Ex-housemaid wins Best Dresser Award in Miss International pageant
DESPITE an impressive performance, former kasambahay Janicel Lubina finished in the Top 10 and won a special award in the 2015 Miss International beauty contest held in Tokyo, Japan last Thursday night.
Lubina, of Palawan, was named Miss Best Dresser in the 55th edition of the beauty contest. She also wore a carnival queen-inspired national costume created by topnotch fashion designer Leo Almodal.
Edymar Martinez of Venezuela was crowned 2015 Miss International.
Had Lubina won the pageant, the Philippines would have tied with Venezuela for country with the most number of win in Miss International contest with six.
Venezuela now has seven Miss International titles while Philippines has five winners.
First runner-up was Miss Honduras; Miss Kenya, second runner-up; Miss Vietnam, third runner-up; and Miss USA, fourth runner-up.
Lubina, 21, also got emotional and chocked during her speech for the Miss International contest.
“To represent the Philippines here in Miss International is a great honor and an achievement for me. As a simple woman who came from a poor family, my dream to have a better life for my family motivates me to never give up. At a young age, I had to work at the rice fields to help my parents while taking care of my brothers since my parents were working;
“Life is full of challenges and hardships but I never stopped dreaming and working hard to achieve my goals in life. I want to be an inspiration to young people that nothing is impossible. Keep following your dreams and have strong faith in God. If I become Miss International, I would like to share my story to the world that poverty is not a hindrance to achieve success in life,” said Lubina.
Two hours after the pageant, Lubina posted a Biblical message in her Facebook account which says: “Your will be done, Lord” taken from Matthew 26:3646.