8 fun facts: Bb Pilipinas 2017 Grand International Elizabeth Clenci

Alexa Villano

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8 fun facts: Bb Pilipinas 2017 Grand International Elizabeth Clenci

Photo by Martin San Diego/Rapple

Meet the country's bet to the upcoming Miss Grand International Pageant 2017

MANILA, Philippines – Elizabeth Durado Clenci was not on every pageant watcher’s list to win a crown, but the Filipino-Australian from Mandaue, Cebu surprised everyone during coronation night on April 30, becoming a candidate to watch out for. True enough, she was awarded with the Miss Grand International Philippines crown, succeeding Nicole Cordoves, who placed first runner-up in the 2016 Miss Grand International pageant.

And as she prepares for the competition in Vietnam on October 25, Elizabeth or Liz as she is called, like her other co-queens will have a lot of tasks ahead of them.

Here’s are a few facts about Liz.

1. She is a bassist. For Liz, music is an important part of her life and has been studying the bass for the past 3 years. In an interview with Rappler in May, Liz said that she was supposed to have a recital prior to the pageant. 

Elizabeth Clenci during the Bb Pilipinas talent show. Photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler

“I was supposed to graduate around now, like around coronation night so that was supposed to be my final recital, so I haven’t done my final recital yet. But I put it on hold, just to fulfill my dreams, I mean this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and music is always a part of me so it’ll always be there,” she said.

2. She is a fan of Marvin Gaye.  During the interview with Rappler, Liz mentioned that one of the musicians she looks up to is Marvin Gaye.

“Singer-songwriter, there’s a few, definitely Marvin Gaye, Lian La Havas would be like a good modern-day inspiration for me. Fleetwood Mac, I love their songs. I think they write incredible songs,” she said.

Check out Liz’s video, where she performs a song by Solange.

 

 

3. She first tried to compete in Bb. Pilpinas back in 2011. This is the second time Liz has joined in the competition. She first entered the competition back in 2011. Shamcey Supsup won the title of Miss Universe Philippines that year.

In an interview with the Philippine Star, Liz said she saw the second chance as very different for her, adding that maturity has played a role in her most recent foray into the pageant world.

 

 

I don’t see it as joining a second time; I see it with fresh new eyes as a more mature woman. I was so young when I joined the first time. I don’t see repeating as a disadvantage or anything. If anybody has a dream, it doesn’t matter how many times you fail, it’s about getting up and trying again and risking everything, and that’s what makes you a winner,” she said. 

Liz also has a sister, Sarah, who joined Bb. Pilipinas with her in 2011.

 

Just

A post shared by Elizabeth Clenci (@elizaclenci) on

4.  She has suffers from a skin condition. In an Instagram post, Liz talked about how she suffered from eczema and how proper diet and natural medicine played a big part in alleviating it.

“The past year and a half has been the toughest by far- physically and emotionally. The photo on the left was taken exactly a year ago today on my birthday. My body out of nowhere suddenly erupted with the most severe eczema, my skin was oozing and weeping, covered in fleshy wounds. My eyebrows fell off, my skin would itch furiously, Sudden movements would crack and create more wounds, resulting in the most agonising year and a half of my life. Everything became painful. I invested thousands of dollars and precious time with multiple doctors and specialists who vaguely addressed my case and had no answers. Or pumped me full of useless drugs that didn’t help at all. One doctor even told me that this is how I would live the rest of my life. 

“I spent hours online trying to find a cure and knew that there had to be some other way. The photo on the right is me today……..healed. I found true healing through change in diet and natural medicine.”

 

The past year and a half has been the toughest by far- physically and emotionally. The photo on the left was taken exactly a year ago today on my birthday. My body out of nowhere suddenly erupted with the most severe eczema, my skin was oozing and weeping, covered in fleshy wounds. My eyebrows fell off, my skin would itch furiously, Sudden movements would crack and create more wounds, resulting in the most agonising year and a half of my life. Everything became painful. I invested thousands of dollars and precious time with multiple doctors and specialists who vaguely addressed my case and had no answers. Or pumped me full of useless drugs that didn’t help at all. One doctor even told me that this is how I would live the rest of my life. I spent hours online trying to find a cure and knew that there had to be some other way. The photo on the right is me today……..healed. I found true healing through change in diet and natural medicine.

A post shared by Elizabeth Clenci (@elizaclenci) on

 

 

In an interview with reporters in September, Liz talked about how she was able to heal herself. Aside from a strict vegetarian diet, she also researched on natural medicine.

“To be honest with you, that’s the reason why I shared that [story] in the first place. When I was going through that, it would have made a difference if I had somebody who was going through the same thing and [healing] themselves naturally. So I kind of shared that to inspire and [say] okay you can do this. You’re not alone. I really took a leap of faith in what I believed in: this is what’s going to happen, this is how long it’s gonna take.”

Liz said that she does encourage people like her family to live healthier by eating properly. She also studied naturopathy, which she said is something she’s considering continuing after her reign.

Photo by Martin San Diego/Rappler

 

5. On her spirit animal. During the interview with Rappler, Liz said that she always was fascinated with tigers growing up.

“You know, when I was a child I was really obsessed with tigers. I love tigers and lions, just [any] of the big cats, like I love The Lion King, I would literally sit down like I was a lion, like I get my face painted, I have some photos, I’ll bring them, I would give them, [away]…I was really obsessed…and I’ve genuinely…wanted to be a lion,” she said.

 

Feeding baby tigers… The sneaky cub bit my hand 2 seconds after this photo was taken

A post shared by Elizabeth Clenci (@elizaclenci) on

 

6. On the importance of being a modern beauty queen. For Liz, being a beauty queen today is not just about waving and sitting pretty. The beauty queen now has a voice to be heard.

“I think it’s so important, I mean the basic misconception is that a beauty queen sits around and does nothing and I think that’s really not what it is, especially today. We have such a huge voice, such a huge influence of positive change, and I think the modern day beauty queen is somebody who’s not afraid to challenge perceptions. [We] show people that it’s okay to be different and really stand up and be themselves and pursue whatever they want to pursue and fight for themselves in [a] society where you know you’re kind of forced to be someone. I think it’s so important that you [are] there to inspire and encourage and being [an] example of happiness and beauty and love and beauty from within.”

 

Pinching myself  I still can’t believe it. The last two months have been the most incredible journey and I am so thankful for every moment! A huge thank you to Madame Stella Marquez Araneta and the rest of BPCI for this incredible opportunity and dream come true. To my KF family… There’s no better way to describe it, you truly are family to me and you all hold such a special place in my heart. To miss Jaz Cerezo, your skill and craftsmanship is unquestionably world class, the dress was a perfect expression of who I am… And I felt like a queen the moment I put it on. To everyone who showed their love and support, especially my ClenciForU supporters, thank you for the heart warming encouragement and validation. Every comment and every message made the journey all the more worthwhile. Last but not least, thank you to my fairy Godmother Bonita for helping me achieve my Cinderella moment. I am SO exited for this next chapter. Next stop, Miss Grand International! I hope I make my country proud! Elizabeth Clenci, 26, PHILIPPINES!

A post shared by Elizabeth Clenci (@elizaclenci) on

 

7. She was appointed as Peace ambassador by the Office of the Presidential Peace Adviser. In August, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza appointed Liz as a Peace ambassador in celebration of Peace month for September. An event was held on September 14, where Liz met President Rodrigo Duterte.

Elizabeth meets President Rodrigo Duterte at he sidelines of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process' 24th Anniversary at Malacañang Palace on September 14.  Malacañang Photo

 

A video of Liz talking about her role as peace ambassador was posted on the Miss Grand International page. The video is part of the Stop the War and Violence campaign.

 

 

8. She doesn’t wear much makeup. During the interview with reporters in September, Liz said one of the things she took time to prepare for was always putting on makeup as she prefers to do without.

“I think we all have our own strengths and weaknesses. And personally, that’s what I’ve been focusing on what I can improve on the most. I mean we all have been doing overall training but like I said for me, it’s always been hair and makeup. But I’m still focusing on everything. There’s always improvement,” she said.

MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL PH. Will Elizabeth Clenci surpass the 1st runner-up win of Nicole Cordoves? Photo by Martin San Diego/Rappler  

– Rappler.com

 

More Bb Pilipinas 2017 on Rappler:

Post-Bb Pilipinas 2017

Coronation night:

Leading up to coronation night:

 

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Alexa Villano

Alexa is one of Rappler's Lifestyle and Entertainment reporters, covering local entertainment news to a wide range of topics from beauty pageants to reality shows.