Miss Philippines Dona Marie Balaoro from Cordillera wins 1st Runner Up in Miss Lumiere International World 2018

Photo Courtesy: Abra Province FB

Cordillera - A young beauty queen from Abra was crowned 1st Runner Up in the recently concluded Miss Lumiere International World 2018 which was held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on November 10.

Donna Marie Jan Saludez Balaoro, 25-year-old, who represented the Philippines in the pageant was crowned 1st runner up in the contest. 

Balaoro lives in Trece Martires, Cavite but a native of Barangay Patucanay, Bangued Abra, according to a post from Abra Province official Facebook page. 

Although she wasn't lucky to get the most coveted crown, Balaoro was very proud that she was able to represent her country in the beauty pageant. 

"I am proud to represent my country and to tell the world that I am adopted and raised by a member of the LGBTQIA community - a lesbian. I was raised by my 'amma' to be strong, faithful woman," Balaoro said during an interview. 

Photo Courtesy: Abra Province

The beauty queen from Abra studied at the Lyceum of the Philippines University and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in International Travel Tourism Management.

RELATED STORIES:

---

Abranean assumes new role as Man of the Philippines-UEA 2018

 International students in Taiwan cheered at Filipina who performed Ifugao dance with a hip-hop twist

---

Mis Belgium Olivia Talaronek was crowned Miss Lumiere International World 2018. Other winners were Sri Langka - 2nd runner-up; Zambia, - 3rd runner-up and India - 4th runner-up. 

Miss Lumiere International world is a beauty pageant for luminous woman who cultivates a core peace and self awareness. It develops women to rest confidently in their own original essence  so that they can appreciate the gifts and beauty of others without the sense that they diminish her in some way. 

Read More

Abranean assumes new role as Man of the Philippines-UEA 2018

Photo Courtesy: expatmedia.net

Cordillera - Abra native Phiem Alcade has taken a new role as Man of the Philippines-UAE 2018 according to expatmedia.net.

2018Alcalde said that he is excited to assume role as the new Man of the Philippines-UAE after the resignation of Ian Giron, who was the original title holder, due to conflicts in his work schedule.

Alcalde was first runner-up in the pageant held in Dubai in September but will now represent the Filipino community in the UAE in the grand pageant of Man of the Philippines in Manila in late November.

The 25 years old Alcalde and a native of Abra impressed the judges during the September finals when he chose to represent his home province with his native Abra attire in the creative national costume category.

Having  mixed emotions in taking on the title, “I feel overwhelmed and pressured at the same time because I need to prepare physically and mentally, with just a few weeks to go,” Alcalde said while talking with expatmedia.net.

“Having the crown means greater responsibilities so I need to push myself to be better than the Phiem who was first runner up,” he added.

Alcalde is working as a maintenance coordinator in Dubai, and said that he has lots of things to do in such a limited time but “I am preparing myself 200 percent now because I only have a limited time. I need to prepare my body and mentally because I’m still new to the pageant world and I will be competing against veterans in the field,” he said.

Alcalde is determined to continue to use his position as Man of the Philippines-UAE to promote healthy living among Filipino expatriates in the UAE win or lose.

“I plan to promote healthy living as I always do, but now I need to push harder because I will not only be reaching out to friends but to Filipinos in the UAE who are suffering from body shaming, which leads to depression. I want to promote healthy living for the body and mind,” he said

source || expatmedia.net

Read More