NORTH COTABATO, Philippines --- Newly-crowned Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2014 Mary Jean Lastimosa is no stranger to beauty pageants.
She was first crowned as “Mutya ng Tulunan†during the 2003 municipal fiesta of Tulunan, her hometown, which is located in the second district of North Cotabato.
She had won the “Mutya ng Davao†title during a pageant in 2008 in Davao City.
Lastimosa finished elementary at a public school in Barangay Sibsib in Tulunan. She graduated from the Tulunan National High School and then studied college in Davao City.
Relatives said Lastimosa was “a smart dresser†and was always conscious of how she behaved in public and in school.
A cousin, Jelyn Muyong, said Lastimosa was caring to both friends and relatives and is known to be compassionate.
“She is a very thoughtful lady,†Muyong said in the Hiligaynon vernacular.
Teachers of Lastimosa in high school described her as a neat dresser and courteous and respectful student.
“And she is intelligent too,†a school mate in high school, who asked to be identified only as Len-Len, told The Star.