MANILA, Philippines — When Jehza Huelar goes to compete at the 2018 Miss Supranational pageant in Kyrnica-Zdroj, Poland on December 7, she will represent not only the Philippines, but also overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
During her recent send-off press conference together with Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, Jehza revealed she works with those advocating to give equal rights and opportunities to seafarers with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
“We're working on giving equal opportunity and equal chances sa mga seafarers natin na naging positibo sa HIV na still they can get a job because they have no options. ‘Yun lang ang work na pwede nilang pasukan,” the Davao beauty said.
Jehza is close to seafarers as her father, who passed away last 2015 due to cancer, was a seafaring radio operator. The 24-year-old lost both her parents to cancer at age 20.
She said, she joined beauty pageants to fulfill her dad's wish. The Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union hosted a victory party after she won as Miss Supranational Philippines 2018.
Like her idol Pia Wurtzbach, Jehza got a Binibining Pilipinas title on her third try.
Reports said that it was her fiancé, Philippine Basketball Association player Peter June Simon, who encouraged her to join in the pageant again after losing twice.
On Miss Supranational's 10th anniversary coronation, Huelar will attempt to duplicate Mutya Datul's feat when Datul became the first FIlipina to take home the crown in 2013. — Video by Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo