MANILA, Philippines – Janicel Lubina is confident she is prepared to compete in this year’s Miss International pageant, to be held in Japan on November 5.
“I know all of us (in the competition) are beautiful. But then, I know in myself that I am ready enough to conquer the stage. And I know God will guide me,” the 20-year-old beauty queen told members of the press during her a media gathering on Wednesday.
She also said: “I know I am ready enough to compete.”
Janicel won the Bb.Pilipinas-International title earlier this year, but she has been on the radar of beauty pageant enthusiasts since a few years ago. Janicel was among the candidates of 2013 Miss World Philippines, where she placed second to Megan Young (who later on won the Miss World crown in London).
She also competed in the Miss Scuba International 2012 and Slimmers World Miss Bikini Philippines 2013 pageants.
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The story of her humble beginnings as a former househelper and farmer from the province also captivated the attention of the press and the public, making her a favorite during the Bb. Pilipinas 2015 pageant earlier this year.
She was even tagged by the media as “Philippines’ Cinderella.”
For the 55th Miss International pageant, Janicel hopes to bring home the crown and prove her moniker true.
“I pray nga na, God, sana ibigay mo na ito sa akin. Ang ganda rin namang pakinggan from humble beginnings (to beauty pageant titleholder),” she said.
Janicel further quipped: “A lot of media call me naman as the Cinderella of the Philippines. Then let's make it internationally, di ba? Cinderella of the world!”
Janicel Lubina during her sendoff press conference on Wednesday, October 14. The 20-year-old beauty queen is set to compete in the Miss International pageant in Japan on November 5. Philstar.com/Chuck Smith
She admits feeling pressured, with just a few weeks before the pageant. Janicel will compete for the crown after fellow Bb. Pilipinas beauty queen Ann Colis won the Miss Globe 2015 title in Canada earlier this month.
“N'ung nalaman ko na nanalo [si Ann], I didn't know what to do. Naalarma ako... Yung determination ko is kailangan ko palang doblehin,” she said. “Namotivate talaga ako n'ung nanalo si Ann. I have to win.”
The beauty queen said she did “a lot of trainings”—from makeup training to personality development. Now, Janicel said she’s working on her “mindset.”
READ: Philippines's Ann Lorraine Colis is Miss Globe 2015
“Sometimes, I cry because I saw the pictures of the other candidates and they (social media bashers) told me I'm not gonna win and 'they're more beautiful than you',” she said. “But I don't believe in that because I know myself and I know my capacity.”
“Kahit gaano pa kaganda yung kalaban, ang dami ko ng sinalihang pageant and I know kaya ko silang lahat.”
The Philippines won the Miss International title five times in the past, Bea Rose Santiago being the latest Filipina winner to bring home the crown.
Last year, Philippine bet Bianca Guidotti failed to make it in the Miss International top 10.
The last quarter of the year will see the country’s beauty queens representing the country in international pageants.
READ: PHL to join Miss Grand International pageant
Parul Shah, a Bb. Pilipinas titleholder from 2014, will compete in the Miss Grand International 2015 pageant in Thailand later this month. Pia Wurtzbach is also expected to compete in the Miss Universe pageant before the year ends.
The country’s representative to this year’s Miss World pageant is expected to compete in China and Angelia Ong will compete in the Miss Earth pageant in Austria this December.
Watch explain how Janicel Lubina is preparing for the Miss International pageant in this video below: