MANILA, Philippines – Binibining Pilipinas Janicel Lubina admits there is some pressure on her following the win of Ann Colis at the Miss Globe pageant in Canada last week, but all that has just made her more focused on earning a win for the Philippines when it’s her turn to compete. 

Janicel, 20, is set to leave for Japan Saturday, October 17, to compete in the Miss International pageant which will happen this November. 

In an interview with the press during her send-off Wednesday, October 14, Janicel said: “Nung nalaman ko na nanalo si Ann, parang oh my God, oh my God! Kinakabahan ako. I have to win, I have to win. Yung determination ko, kailangan ko pang doblehin. Talagang minomotivate ako na manalo talaga.”

(When I found out Ann won, I was like ‘Oh my God, Oh My God! I was nervous. I have to win, I have to win. The determination I have, I have to double it. I’m really motivated to win.)

“Na inspire talaga ako kay Ann and namomotivate na ‘Lord kung kaya ni Ann, kaya ko rin.“

(I used this as a motivation to push myself. The best I am doing, I’ll do it more. Ann inspired me and motivated me, I go ‘Lord, if Ann did it, I can do it.)

“I pray a lot na, ‘God, help me. This is my last pageant. So I need to do and give my best,'” Janicel said.

‘I know myself’

Janicel also talked about criticism on social media, saying that though sometimes hurt by comments from detractors, she knows her value and is staying strong.

“Sometimes I cry, because when I saw the pictures from the other candidates, they [bashers on social media] told me that, ‘You’re not blooming, they’re more beautiful than you.” I don’t believe in that because I know myself, I know my capacity, kahit gaano ka ganda ‘yung kalaban ko, ang dami ko nang sinalihang pageant and I know kaya ko silang lahat,”she said. 

(No matter how beautiful my competitors are, I’ve joined many pageants and I know I can take them.) 

Janicel’s other Bb Pilipinas sisters Miss Universe Philippines 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Bb Pilipinas Supranational Rogelie Catacutan and Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental Christi McGarry also sent their best wishes to Janicel.

Janicel said that aside from the lessons in Nihonggo, catwalk, speech and personality development, she also got to talk with Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman and watched the speeches Lara and Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago did.

Janicel is hoping to win the title a 6th time for the Philippines. Previous titleholders include Gemma Teresa Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), and Bea Rose Santiago (2013). – Rappler.com