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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.
“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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
– Rappler.com
More Bb Pilipinas 2017 on Rappler:
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Coronation night:
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- READ: Kylie Verzosa’s final speech as Miss International PH 2016
- READ: Maxine Medina’s farewell speech, message to successor
- READ: Miss Universe PH 2017 Rachel Peters’ winning Q&A
- Photo recap: Bb Pilipinas 2017 coronation night
- Rachel Peters wins Bb Pilipinas 2017
- IN PHOTOS: Pia Wurtzbach at Bb Pilipinas 2017 coronation night
- IN PHOTOS: Bb Pilipinas 2017 evening gown competition
- IN PHOTOS: Bb Pilipinas 2017 swimsuit competition
- FULL LIST: Winners, Bb Pilipinas 2017
- ABS-CBN gets exclusive rights to Bb Pilipinas 2017 live coverage
Leading up to coronation night:
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- IN PHOTOS: Bb Pilipinas 2017 official top 10 national costumes
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- Bb Pilipinas 2017: Talent competition standouts
- IN PHOTOS: Bb Pilipinas 2017 candidates in Jag fashion show
- Bb Pilipinas 2017: National costumes that stand out
- LOOK: The Bb Pilipinas 2017 candidates in stunning national costumes
- Winning a beauty pageant: does age matter?
- IN PHOTOS: Meet the 40 Bb Pilipinas 2017 candidates
- What change would Pia Wurtzbach like to see in Bb Pilipinas?
- Bb Pilipinas 2017: Meet the returning candidates
- You may recognize these 3 Bb Pilipinas candidates
- Bb. Pilipinas 2017: The crossover candidates
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