Can Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez duplicate
Wynwin Marquez’ win at last year’s Reina Hispanoamericana pageant in
Bolivia? Alyssa or Yssa, the
22-year-old, daughter of former actress Almira Muhlach and former PBA player
Bong Alvarez, said that she is taking it as a challenge and motivation to
herself to compete in Reina Hispanoamericana 2018 and believes that she could
do it with God on her side.
Yssa, a Marketing Communications
Management graduate of University of Asia and the Pacific, never thought of
being in beauty pageants. “I did not believe that beauty pageants could help
empower women. But Miss World Philippines’ beauty-with-a-purpose advocacy
changed that, and now I am in this journey to show what it means to embody
‘beauty-with-a-purpose’ for the rest of the world,” said the stunning Mestiza
beauty.
Yssa, who has been training under the
Kagandahang Flores beauty camp, is a volunteer of the Gentle Hands, Inc. an
organization that helps children cope up with crisis, trauma and abuse. “Child
abuse is rampant not just in the country but all over the world and this is
something that needs to stop. We need to start taking care of our children
because they are the future generation who would someday have the
responsibility to make the world a better place,” Yssa earnestly said.
“I don’t really know, I was not born
yet,” Yssa replied when asked who her mom’s favorite love team partner in the popular
GMA-7 youth-variety TV show ‘That’s Entertainment’ in the 80’s/90’s, wherein
Almira was an original cast member of the Monday group. Yssa, who wants to become a singer, is open
to follow on her mom’s footsteps and try her luck in local showbiz.
Yssa was asked regarding her plan at
the Latin-dominated competition in Bolivia during her recent send-off party
organized by the Miss World Philippines, Inc. led by its general-manager Bessie
Besana and national director Arnold Vegafria.
How do you think you will stand out
from the Latina competitors? “As a Filipina, I believe that I could stand out
among other Latina contenders by showing kindness and hospitality to everyone.
I never believed in having to prove that you’re the best among the rest. I
always believed in striving for excellence while still treating others with
kindness love and respect. “
How can you help promote Hispanic
culture? “A lot of people actually do not want to promote Hispanic culture
because they think that we are somehow promoting colonial mentality. However,
if you know about Philippine society and culture, you would realize that
Hispanic culture is embedded in the lives of Filipinos. I can promote Hispanic
culture by raising awareness and appreciation about our Hispanic heritage. (That
for more than three centuries, Filipinos were colonized by the Spaniards.) If
were not for our Hispanic heritage, we would not have become a predominantly Roman
Catholic nation or maybe our native language would be different as well. There
are a lot of Filipino traits within our culture that can be attributed to our
Hispanic heritage.”
What’s your mom’s best advice
pageant-wise? “They always tell me to continue being myself. In this industry,
a lot of people will have different opinions about you. Some people will tell
you to say this or to act a certain way and they reminded me to always stay
true to myself and to speak from the heart.”
Whose gown will you be wearing on
pageant finals? “On coronation night, I will be wearing a gown made by Benj
Leguiab IV.” The 28th Reina Hispanoamericana 2018 will be held in Sta. Cruz de
la Sierra on November 3, 2018. Report by
Eton B. Concepcion/Photos by Ms. Joy Arguil
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