MJ Lastimosa flies to US for Miss Universe 2014

MANILA, Philippines —  Mary Jean "MJ" Lastimosa is set to fly Saturday to Miami, Florida for the culmination of the Miss Universe beauty pageant on January 25 (EST).

The Philippines' bet, who took up computer engineering in Davao City, said that she does not let pressure get in her way and enjoys instead every moment of the competition.

In 2014, the Philippines' Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti for Miss International and Valerie Weignmann for Miss World failed to take home the crown, while Jamie Herrell was crowned Miss Earth.

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Asked if she feels pressured to bring home the crown, she answered, "Hindi ko na iniisip kasi gusto ko na mag-focus doon sa competition ko."

"It's another experience for them, this is a new experience for me. So I just want to enjoy this," she said in an interview on "Aquino & Abunda Tonight" aired on Friday.

Just like other beauty queens, MJ has undergone tough training courses ranging from fitness workouts to personality development sessions. She was also taught how to handle the competition's question and answer portion.

Despite the hardships she has gone through, MJ is thankful to have finally reached her dream of becoming a beauty queen.

"Sobrang excited ako kasi minsan kapag matutulog na ako iniisip ko, 'Wow, since 2011 I have been dreaming of this to happen,' " she said about representing the Philippines in international beauty pageants.

"So sabi ko I should enjoy this kasi kapag nagpa-pressure lang ako I'll just put this to waste. Magigising na lang ako wala na, it's gone," she added.

Miss Universe 2014 will be held at the FIU Arena in Miami, Florida on January 25.