MANILA, Philippines – Maxine Medina has given her two cents on the possibility of the Philippines hosting the Miss Universe pageant again.

Maxine represented the Philippines in the 2016 pageant, which was held in the country in January.

In an interview with Rappler at the GoingPlaces magazine launch on Thursday, June 1, Maxine, said that there are advantages and disadvantages to being the host delegate.

“Well, it’s a good thing na gawin ulit dito sa (for it to be held in the) Philippines. But then, the pressure is with us again. So para sa akin (for me), it’s both okay and not okay. Okay is for the Philippines [to host] but not okay for Rachel,” she said, referring to the country’s representative Rachel Peters.

“Kasi it’s [also] pressure sa kanya [Rachel Peters]. Like, parang from the bigat na nagpagdaanan ko, ngayon, inamin niya na nafeel din niya… So well, pressure din sa kanya kasi dito ginanap and then Top 6 [finish] and then siyempre in her case, nervous din siya,” Maxine said.

(Because it’s [also] pressure for her. Like, from the heavy burden I went through, she admitted she’s also feeling that now too… so well, it’s pressure also for her, because the pageant was held here and then we had a Top 6 [finish] and then of course, in her case, she’s nervous too.)

Maxine said she does get to talk to Rachel and has assured her that she will do well in the competition with the support of Binibining Pilipinas and because of the training she will undergo. (READ: Maxine Medina’s farewell speech, message to successor)

In May, Tourism secretary Wanda Teo confirmed in a TV interview that the Miss Universe Organization has offered for the Philippines to host the competition again in November. However, they are still studying the matter and will make a decision within the month.

In an interview with CNN Philippines on June 1, the Tourism secretary said that they have been looking for sponsors and that she has informed President Rodrigo Duterte of the offer.

She also said that Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, is set to arrive in the Philippines either on June 7 or 8.

“If the president will say yes, I would consider it. As long as the president says yes. Because it would be a promotion for us,” she said.

The country hosted Miss Universe 3 times, for the 1974, 1994, and 2016 pageants. 

Entering showbiz

After relinquishing her title to Rachel on April 30, Maxine said that she has been busy attending workshops and traveling. She also confirmed that she will enter showbiz.  

“I’m actually excited for all the opportunities and nag-eenjoy ako (I’m enjoying everything) now,” Maxine said. “Kasi ang daming nag-open na doors for me. And ngayon nag-woworkshop ako for showbiz. (Because so many doors have opened for me. And now, I’m doing workshops for showbiz.) I’m entering showbiz na and I’m very excited.”

When asked what projects she will be working on, Maxine said: “Well, maraming offer and iniisa-isa namin ni Mama J [Jonas Gaffud] kung anong uunahin and what fits me. Kasi from beauty queen and now showbiz, siyempre nag-iingat kami with the roles. So ngayon it’s a secret muna.”

(Well, there are so many offers, and Mama J [Aces and Queens founder and talent manager Jonas Gaffud] and I are looking at them one by one, deciding what to do first and what fits me. Because from beauty queen and now showbiz, of course we have to be careful with the roles. So for now, it’s a secret.) – Rappler.com