For starters, the 26-year-old charmer from North Cotabato said she intends to take advantage of her position as new PLDT Home DSL brand ambassador to be more active in social media and boost her campaign.
“One of the most important parts of Miss Universe is online voting for the People’s Choice award where the winner gets an automatic spot in the Top 15,” she told InterAksyon and other media during a recent courtesy call at the PLDT Home office with the other Binibining Pilipinas 2014 winners.
MJ recalls that even during her third and most successful run at the Bb. Pilipinas pageant, the strong support she received from fans on social media inspired her to remain confident and perform at her very best.
She said her provincemates from North Cotabato were among her most active online supporters and thanks to her tweets, patiently waited for her during her recent triumphant homecoming.
“When I was at airport on my way there, I posted that my flight was delayed. I read a lot of posts from people who said they would wait for me for as long as it takes. And when I got there, everyone was taking pictures and tagging me online,” she enthused.
Asked if her decision to represent North Cotabato this time around has affected her following in Davao City which she represented during her previous Bb. Pilipinas runs in 2011 and 2012, MJ said she believes she did not at all lose the support of her beloved Davaoeños.
“I didn’t want to burn bridges so I actually talked to the people of Davao and told them of my desire to represent my original hometown of North Cotabato. I want to stay in communication with them and maintain the support that they gave me. I’m very happy that they continued supporting me. In fact, they’re hoping that I can also have a homecoming in Davao City as well,” she revealed.
MJ added that she likewise did not make any enemies with her decision to be mentored by Kagandahang Flores this year instead of Aces & Queens, which had previously handled her.
“It just happens that I’m good friends with everyone from all camps. They (KF) offered help. They wanted me to give it another try. I talked with my old mentors, and it was okay with them.”
She admitted that she actually thought she was done with beauty pageants and was already vacationing in the U.S. when she received word from well-meaning friends that the age limit for Bb. Pilipinas had been moved to 26.
“Everyone was texting me, ‘Maybe you should join again’ and then I thought a lot about it. I prayed over it then I consulted many of my friends, my mentors before making my decision,” she continued.
The rest, as they say, is history. Asked if she would advise unsuccessful pageant contestants to consider giving it another shot for the second or even third time like herself, MJ said it’s something that the girls should come to terms with themselves.
“It should not be just because I did it. A lot of candidates don’t have the same goals in joining a pageant. Some just wanted exposure, some just wanted to give it a try while others just wanted to know a lot of people. So it really depends on the girl, if it’s really in her heart,” she pointed out.
Assessing her chances to become only the second oldest woman to win Miss Universe after American Brook Lee won it at the age of 26 in 1997, MJ does not believe that age or even height for that matter (she stands 5’7”) will factor in the final decision of the pageant’s judges.
“It’s all about the performance and the confidence that you have during the competition,” she noted.
Will that totality include how she will fare in the question and answer portion? Given that reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler of Venezuela speaks good English but still decided on answering in her language and have it interpreted, would she consider following a similar “strategy” and answer in Tagalog as well?
“I think it doesn’t really matter. If you can speak better in English or in your own language then you should. There’s no rule. English, however, is the second universal language in the Philippines and we’re comfortable speaking in that language,” she replied.
Echoing what her best friend and Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup told her, MJ said, “It’s not really about the Question and Answer portion, it’s about you, your totality as a candidate.”
For more CHIKA Patrol updates FOLLOW or LIKE CHIKA PATROL on Facebook and Twitter and ADVERTISE with us email at ilovekakulay@gmail.com
Post a Comment