Eva Patalinjug gets another shot at an international crown

CEBU, Philippines — After winning Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International in 2014, Eva Psychee Soroño Patalinjug had been scheduled to compete in international pageants four times.

Despite preparing each time like the diligent student she has always been, none of these assignments abroad pushed through.

Eva displays her curves during the Swimsuit Competition.

Barring any hitches, the 23-year-old Cebuana is set to finally live out her dream of hollering “Philippines!” in an international stage after she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2018 Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

She took over the title held last year by fellow Cebuana beauty queen Elizabeth Durado Clenci who represented Mandaue City and who placed second runner-up at Miss Grand International 2017. (The Philippines’ highest placement in the pageant is first runner-up in 2016 courtesy of Nicole Cordoves.)

Figuring consistently in pre-pageant forecasts, the registered nurse and law student at the University of San Carlos managed to nab one of the six crowns at stake despite competing in a batch with formidable contenders – the Miss Universe Philippines title, for instance, was already all but a given – and her middling height.

Asked by one of the judges, Columbian Ambassador to the Philippines Victor Hugo Echiverri, during the question and answer segment what she thought was the role of beauty queens “in the pursuit of the country’s economic success,” the Lapu-Lapu City native seemed to have a ready answer and almost immediately spoke with confidence: “A role of the beauty queen is to be a voice. I am here to make a message to all of you. In these times of uncertainty…taking over our country, we have remained steadfast and have faith in all of its challenges. As a united nation, what we should do is to set aside our political differences, economic and social preferences. Let our love and loyalty to our country rise above all, in the hopes of making a peaceful country. Thank you.”

Eva, who was also awarded Face of Binibini/Miss Photogenic, brought home prizes that include a one year ambassadorship contract with Cream Silk, P500,000 worth of management contract from BPCI, P500,000 worth of Dairy Queen endorsement contract that includes a TV commercial, Complete set of wardrobe from BPCI, Full scholarship training from Dale Carnegie, 18 months of salon services and gym membership, Personal accident insurance, P25,000 cash and P25,000 worth of Ever Bilena products.

An earnest academic and extra-curricular achiever, Eva was an elementary and high school valedictorian, had 16 medals during her high school graduation, was an SK chair  in Lapu-Lapu City, a campus leader, a MAC model and has taekwondo and table tennis trophies. You get the picture.

Her other pageant feats include Miss CVRAA 2007, Mutya ng Palarong Pambansa 2008, Miss PRISAA 2010,  Miss Mandaue 2013 second runner-up, Miss Cebu 2014 first runner-up and Mutya ng Pilipinas – Asia Pacific International 2014.

She had originally wanted to pursue medicine, but because her family could not afford it, she decided to take up law instead and follow the footsteps of her mother Liza, who heads the Public Attorneys’ Office in Lapu-Lapu City.

Eva also owns a beauty line called Psychee Lashes and is also involved with ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes), a non-governmental organization and a global network of civil society organizations dedicated to ending the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

The other Bb. Pilipinas 2018 finalists from Cebu were Muriel Adrienne Orais who made the Top 15 cut and was named Binibining Philippine Airlines; Miss UP Cebu 2015 and mass communication graduate Wynonah Buot who also reached the Top 15; and MassKara Queen 2012, Miss SWU 2014 and Miss Mandaue 2015 title holder Ena Velasco who made it to the top 25.