Bb. Pilipinas Eva Psychee Patalinjug and Michele Gumabao to bring home the Miss Grand International Miss Globe crowns

          The Binibining Pilipinas 2018 batch of queens fired off their quest for international titles starting with the pair of Eva Psychee Patalinjug and Michele Gumabao promising to bring home the crowns in their respective competitions.

          Brimming with confidence and looking well-prepared, the stunning beauties, who have undergone serious preparation, expressed their hope to further solidify the Philippines’ reputation as a powerhouse country on the global stage of beauty pageants, during the send-off party accorded them by the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. held on Wednesday at Novotel Manila in Araneta Center.

          Patalinjug, a 23-year-old, registered nurse and law student at the University of San Carlos, said that she is privileged to be given the chance for another crack at a world title after not having to compete abroad when she won the Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International title in 2014.  “I have learned my lessons from the past competitions I joined. I think that I am confident enough to be myself, to be able to do the best that I can and not letting yourself caught up to what people want you to be, that would make you lose yourself,” Patalinjug expressed.

          Gumabao, the 26-year-old, 5-foot-10, actor’s daughter and volleyball player, said that she is pretty excited to compete at the Miss Globe pageant and hoped to give the country a second crown after Ann Colis’ title conquest in 2015. “I want to win, not just for myself, but for the country and for the advocacy I am pursuing,” said the Science degree graduate of De La Salle University.

          Gumabao, a member of the recent PVL champion Creamline volleyball team, is a firm believer of grassroots program in sports and has founded the Michele Gumabao Volleyball Camp in 2012 where aspiring volleyball athletes from all over the country are being trained.  “I want to use my voice and influence to promote volleyball development down to the grass roots level,” Gumabao expressed.

          Gumabao, who is also an active member of the Virlanie Foundation, an organization working for the benefit of street children, also said that she would like to become the president of the country in the future. “If I became the president, I would be the voice of the Filipino people and to heighten nationalism in the country,” she said. “If we Filipinos develop a stronger sense of nationalism, I believe that we can work together to make our country better and make our people proud as Filipinos” Gumabao said during the send-off party.

          Gumabao added that with the discipline and hard work that comes with being a volleyball player, which she channeled to efforts of her being a beauty queen, she is sure that she can handle any pressure. “I will come to the Miss Globe pageant, not only physically strong, but mentally and emotionally as well,” Gumabao added.

         

          Patalinjug, a strong anti-cyber bullying campaigner and supporter of HIV awareness and violence against women and children, also entertained plans of becoming president someday with a law degree as a stepping stone to attaining it. The Cebuana beauty was appointed a Philippine peace ambassadress by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

         

“In my capacity as peace ambassadress, I am working to inspire people on how to make a difference in this world, to influence them to put their hearts and minds for tolerance in accepting our differences, which is very important in attaining peace and unity in the country,” said Patalinjug who is aiming to become the country’s first Miss Grand International winner.

          Gumabao is flying to Tirana, Albania for the Miss Globe pageant with the finals set on October 21 while Patalinjug is going to Yangon, Myanmar for the October 25 coronation finals. Filipinos can vote for Gumabao in the pageant’s poll at http://themissglobe.com/participants2018.

          Patalinjug and Gumabao received strong support and encouragement from Bb. Pilipinas organization chairperson Stella Marquez-Araneta, Miss Philippines-Universe Catriona Gray, Bb. Pilipinas-International Atisha Manalo, Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational Jehza Huelar and Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Karen Gallman along with first runner up Vickie Rushton and 2nd runner up Samantha Bernardo. Report and Photos by Eton B. Concepcion