MANILA, Philippines – Months after competing at the Miss World pageant in Sanya, China where Spain’s Mireia Lalaguna won the title, Miss World Philippines 2015 Hillarie Parungao, who was part of the Top 10 finalists has kept herself busy with the organization’s activities as well as her advocacy in her native town of Nueva Vizcaya. 

“After competing in China, I went back to doing all my charity events, I went back to my province to continue with my advocacy which is called the Katuwang, A Fight Against Child Mortality, and it’s doing so well in my province. I have been receiving a lot of sponsors and support from NGOs and LGUs,” Hillarie told Rappler during the press presentation of the Miss World Philippines candidates Monday, September 5.

“Aside from that, I also had some commercials, fashion shows, and acting workshops. And now that Viva is part of our family, I’m so excited to share it to the public also,” she added.

Reflecting on her own experience, Hillarie said: “I was asked actually by one of the sponsors earlier ‘how do you feel now that you’re seated here?’ And I was telling them that I can just imagine how I looked like last year too when I was a candidate. Now that I’m looking at them, we already have the favored candidates and all that for now, you know.

“But, I just really hope that whoever wears my crown next will be true to herself and will love the country as much as I do to represent this,” she said.

Miss World Philippines qualities and body shaming

Having gone through the competition and wearing the crown for one year, Hillarie said that one quality she wants to see in her successor is sincerity. 

“I want to see sincerity. You know, everyone who joins a competition will always put their best foot forward. But when they have already the crown, there is a tendency that they forget to do their duties. So someone who is sincere and who is actually consistent to do a work of a Miss World Philippines queen,” she said.

Hillarie also shared her thoughts about body shaming and says as a beauty queen, she is not exempted from the criticism.

“I am so lucky that I have good genes that provides me to be in good shape all the time. But I’m really [standing up for] anti-bullying especially online because as we say, our body is our own wonderland and nobody can always shame us for that. 

“I wanna tell everyone to be proud of yourself but always keep in mind to stay healthy, no matter what shape you have. As long as you are healthy and a happy person with good perspective in life, then you’re good. You don’t have to listen to anybody around you,” Hillarie said. 

As she awaits the coronation night, Hillarie said she is looking forward to the next chapter of life after the pageant.

“I’ve always been a person who’s open to any doors of opportunities. Right now, I’m just looking into doing hosting and continue with my charitiy events. And as I’ve said, Viva within our side, I might enter showbusiness as well. Who knows, whatever it is,” she said.

The Miss World Philippines 2016 pageant will be held on September 25 at the Manila Hotel. – Rappler.com