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MANILA, Philippines – Much has been said about Janicel Lubina this year, with fans eagerly cheering her on in the months leading up to her top 10 finish at the Miss International pageant in Japan Thursday, November 5.
Last March, the 20 year-old candidate from Palawan was one of the favorites to win the title of Miss Universe Philippines, which later was won by Pia Wurtzbach.
Janicel is no stranger to beauty pageants, having joined Miss Scuba International, Miss Bikini Philippines and Miss World Philippine where she placed 1st princess to Miss World 2013 Megan Young.
But that’s all in the past now. She’s made the country proud with a strong top 10 finish at Miss International, complete with a powerful speech about persevering through poverty and hardship. (READ: Here’s Janicel Lubina’s emotional speech at Miss International 2015)
Humble roots
It took a lot of effort and hard work for Janicel to make it to where she is now. Before she became the beauty queen she is today, she worked as a house helper to assist her mother and take care of her family.
“At that time [I remember] it was my high school… So when I started doing those things yung bilang kasambahay (as a helper)… I was 14 when I worked at the farm,” Janicel told Rappler during her send-off last October.
She said she would do various choses from cleaning the room to dishwashing. She also said that she is used to doing chores because she would often accompany her mother.
In an interview on what was then Aquino and Abunda Tonight last March, Janicel said she took the responsibility of taking care of the child of her mom’s employer, while her mom went to Manila.
“Ako yung pumalit sa anak ng boss niya. Habang kasambahay yung mommy ko, kasambahay din ako doon sa amin. Habang ginagawa ko iyon, inaalagaan ko yung tatlong brothers ko,” she said.
(I was the one who took over when she left her boss. While my mom was a house helper, I was also a helper. While I was doing that, I was taking care of my 3 brothers.)
Being a helper, according to Janicel, meant making many sacrifices, especially since her father suffered a mild stroke.
“Actually yung mga sacrifice ko… [there was] yung feeling na walang guidance ng parents ko while doing those things. Yung mother ko nasa Manila. While doing those other things nag-maid ako but happy naman ako … so yung work ng mama ko ginampanan ko rin. Until now happy kasi nagagamit ko siya at naging independent naman ako,” Janicel told Rappler during a Creamsilk event in April.
(Actually, when it comes to sacrifices…[there was] that feeling that I had no guidance from my parents while doing those things. My mother was in Manila. While doing those things, I was a helper, but I was all right…so I also did my mom’s work. Until now, I am happy that because I am able to use what I learned, and I became independent.)
In the Aquino and Abunda Tonight interview, Janicel said that she did not want to be a house helper forever, and wanted to chase her own dreams.
“Yes because you can choose the life that you want. Kasi kung gusto mo ng pagbabago (If you want change), you can do something,” she said.
The beauty pageant scene
One time while on the way to see her mom, a makeup artist saw her. Seeing her potential, he encouraged her to joined pageants.
After placing 1st runner-up to Megan Young in 2013, Janicel tried her luck this year in Bb Pilipinas and won the title of Bb Pilipinas International.
“My previous pageant helped me a lot kasi nagagamit ko lahat ng learnings ko. Everytime you join pageants you socialize with a lot of people and now I think nag-improve na ako. Yung family ko, sila pa rin ang motivation ko kasi hindi naman dahil manalo ako ng isang pageant, millionaire ka na,” she said.
(My family is still my motivation because even if you won a pageant, you are already a millionaire.)
After she won the title, her story reached international shores. Last April, two articles about her from Xinhuaxia News and Livedoor News were published.
“I heard about that. Actually I’m happy to hear that, and also pressured because people there are expecting a lot from me so I really have to be ready nang todo. Gusto ko rin matuto ‘yung (I want to learn their) language nila, yung simple greeting nila so that I can impress them,” she said.
As the youngest in this years batch of queens, Janicel said she is grateful for the support from her beauty queen sisters. They bond through outings, dinners, and activities together for the Bb Pilipinas Charities. (READ: Bb Pilipinas International Janicel Lubina: Some said others were prettier, but I know myself)
She admits enjoying the life that she has now. “Yung mga privilege, kasi they really treat you like as a queen. Everything is there… [before] I cannot afford these things, but now nandito na ako ngayon and sobrang thankful to have the experience. And hindi naman lahat ng babae nabibigyan ng (And not all women are given the) privilege to be like this and have the opportunity.”
Janicel still has a lot of dreams to fulfill. While she had to stop her studies in STI-Ortigas (She is a Tourism Management major), she’s just as passionate about promoting the Philippines. She also wants to continue to spread the awareness about farm life since she grew up in an agricultural area in Palawan. She is also grateful for the opportunities coming her way, including various fashion shows, photo shoots, and endorsements.
But if there is one thing that Janicel has learned throughout her journey as a house helper turned beauty queen, it’s the value of professionalism.
“It’s really important even like this yung socializing, dahan-dahan talaga. Even us [the other beauty queens], na feel namin nag-iba yung aura namin iba na yung movement namin, iba na yung approach namin sa tao. [Also] be still humble even if pagod ka na.”
(It’s really important even like this when we socialize, little by little. even us [the beauty queens] we feel that our aura has changed, our movements have have change, the way we approach people. [Also] be still humble even if you are already tired.)
When asked if she’s tired of answering questions about her humble beginnings, Janicel said: “No, I’m actually happy. Twice na nga ako na-cover sa newspaper sa Japan because of the inspiring story. And I hope I can share the story again.”
Janicel added: “Hindi siya nakakahiya [being a helper.] Nakaka-proud nga kasi people are very inspired and happy to hear my story and I’m happy that they really appreciate that. And I’m not ashamed to share my story to different people I meet.” – Rappler.com
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