Alyssa Muhlach-Alvarez vies at Reina Hispanoamericana 2018 in Bolivia



          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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