All eyes are definitely on Maxine Medina, now that it’s been announced that the 26-year-old beauty will be representing the country in the Miss Universe 2016 pageant that will be held in the Philippines.
READ: Miss Universe to be held in PH on Jan 2017
READ: Steve Harvey will host Miss Universe in PH
She has big shoes to fill. Her predecessor, Pia Wurtzbach, won the crown last year in Las Vegas and has become a global sensation not just for her beauty but also for her wit and intelligence.
Keen observers say Maxine is not (yet) as articulate as Pia, and Maxine agrees. She says one of her top priorities is to improve her communication skill, but at the end of the day, “Pia is different. Maxine is different. So you should love me for who I am!”
LOOK: 8 winning photos of Bb Pilipinas 2016 winner Maxine Medina
“I was nervous before, but now I’m excited,” Maxine said about having homecourt advantage in the pageant next year. “I’m starting to understand how these pageants work. Before, you would think it’s all about beauty. Now, I know the relevance…I am actually enjoying everything. And eventually, I think I can do a lot better.”
Coconuts Manila and other members of the press talked to Maxine Medina recently. Here’s an excerpt:
How do you respond to the bashers?
Salamat sa kanila, kasi yung improvement ko nakuha ko from you guys. Yung feeling ko ngayon, na-boost pa kasi it’s gonna be here in the Philippines. I know you’re gonna pray for me and support me… I read some comments and I turned them into my motivation.
Some of your bashers say it will be difficult to succeed Pia.
Syempre, iba si Pia. Pia is different. I think we have different paths na pwedeng maipakita. I can’t wait na mailabas ko yung lahat ng surprising things about myself. Character naman ang pinakaimportante sa pageant, and you engage with people, how you speak with them — with a heart, of course.
What’s the best advice you have received from Pia?
Right now, sabi niya sa akin: Be strong and be yourself. And sabi niya, it’s a big responsibility. Of course it is. And right now, nafe-feel ko na yung responsibility because the crown is very heavy. [Laughs] Yun yung pinakamabigat na responbility, so for me I will do my best and I will give the best of me.
Where do you focus on your training?
Communication. Kasi this is the most important thing to learn. Everyday, I read. At least three articles in one day. And I make sure I write something in my diary. Andun lahat ng opinions ko, andun lahat ng nasa isip ko about these issues. Siguro yun na rin ang pratice ko, especially for the Q&A.
Is there a conscious effort to become better in terms of your communication skills after your answer during the Q&A of the Binibining Pilipinas 2016 pageant was criticized?
They can see it naman, e. Bahala na sila whatevery they will call me. Kasi, at the end of the day, I will still be the representative of the Philippines.
Do you think it will be harder to get a Miss Universe back-to-back win since the pageant will held in the Philippines?
I think it’s up to me. It’s not that hard because nakita nila kung paano maging confidently Filipina with a heart. I will probably be continuing with that.
What are your thoughts about Steve Harvey hosting the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines?
I think it will be fun. Because, maybe, you know, baka mamaya ako pa rin yung matawag as the winner, di ba? Well, Steve Harvey is trending now. And, once again, since it will be held here in the Philippines, once again our country will be featured around the world. I think it’s gonna be interesting.
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