Maxine welcomes Miss U staging in Phl
(Other beauty queens agree)
Will “home court advantage” work for 2016 Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina? Fellow Pinay and reigning Miss U Pia Wurtzbach is set to pass the crown to her successor on Jan. 30, 2017 in the Philippines, as announced recently by the Department of Tourism.
Filipinos will cheer for me,” Maxine told The STAR last Saturday, on the sidelines of the Cebu stop of PLDT Home’s The Regine Series nationwide tour featuring Regine Velasquez. Maxine graced the event being a PLDT Home Ambassador. “It’s overwhelming since course, we want to keep that crown. I want it myself.”
Maxine doesn’t want to let the pressure affect her. - tions of the people and of course, we’re all expected to my 100 percent. I’m working hard for it by training,” said Maxine, adding that she’s intensely training every day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., doing gym and having Dale Carnegie and John Robert Powers workshops, among others.
Asked how ready she is, the 25-year-old model and interior designer said, “For now, 80 percent kasi maaga
pa, there’s a lot I need to learn, to know about pageants. - lahat
sila sobrang keeping the negative thoughts at bay. She - already an achievement in itself because “my biggest fear actually is standing on a stage in front of many people but I was
Maxine shared that becoming a beauty queen was never in her plans. After her Binibini attempt in 2012, which didn’t work out, she couldn’t stop thinking about trying again. “Naka- focus na ako
bilang interior designer. My plans were all laid out. I was planning to take my board para
sunod-sunod na and maging stable na ang life ko. I was ready to leave the modeling industry at that time, but then all of a sudden…Actually, I was praying sa kasi
di ko talaga alam, lahat ng opportunities nakalatag na for me, the only thing that I will do is to choose.’ So, parang may
mga signs ako, Binibini. the way, no pressure for me.”
was like, why do you have to compete your face, your beauty? Now, I see its relevance, it’s more about awareness and giving voice to those who can’t speak for themselves.”
Maxine is happy to get words of heard of the news that Miss U was going to be held in the country, she texted guide you.’ She advised me to be strong, be yourself, it’s all about you... your character, characteristics, what you want to share with other people.”
Meanwhile, former Miss U rep MJ Lastimosa believes that having the pageant staged in the country will work to Maxine’s advantage. “I know this is her dream. I’m excited to watch her on stage wearing the Philippine sash. I think it’s a very good advantage for her that it will be held in her own country because of the solid support. I’ve told her, manalo or matalo ka, hindi ka makakalimutan ng Filipinos, like what happened to Charlene Gonza- of course, you should also do your best but don’t let the pressure get to you… It’s gonna be like two hours of your life that you will be representing your country to the pageant, so why not give your all and make your country proud?”
The Miss U pageant will reportedly cost will shoulder the expenses. Asked to re- spond to some criticism on social media about the decision to host such an event when there are more important matters that the country must attend to, MJ said, “It’s something that lifts the spirits of the Filipinos. Yan yung isa sa mga bagay na mahal talaga natin. I mean in every barangay, province, there’s a beauty pageant… I think it will inspire in a way, it’s something positive, it’s not about the expenses. I know Filipinos especially the private sector.” MJ added, “I’m very happy for the Filipinos. It’s going to be a big celebration since the Philippines is one of the biggest supporters of the Miss Universe pageant. Iba yung mapapanood mo na - ing it over and over on TV. And it’s a great tourism stint for our country. I hope we all work hand in hand for this because it’s not only the representative but the whole country will Another beauty queen equally excited to see it unfold in the country is 1993 Miss Universe Dayanara Torres. The Puerto Rican beauty queen posted on her Instagram account: “#missuniverse 17 in the Philippines. My 2nd home. What great news! Sobrang nakakaexcite & nakakasenti. Got to get my secret stash out. Miss na miss ko kayo!”
Dayanara was the Miss U when the Philippines last hosted the contest in - sued a showbiz career in the country after that.
It will be the third time the country date, the Philippines has three Miss U