BAGUIO CITY – Nagbalik-tanaw ang outgoing Miss Philippines Earth na si Janelle Tee sa kanyang hindi malilimutang taon bilang reigning queen.
Sa exclusive interview ng Star FM Baguio kay Janelle, sinabi nitong hindi niya makakalimutan ang pagkakataong ibinigay sa kanya ng organisasyon para maisabuhay ang kaniyang mga adbokasiya.
“Nung naging Miss Philippines Earth na ako, mas lumawak yung mga advocacies natin [especially patungkol sa indoor air quality].”
Thankful ang 29-year-old beauty queen mula Pasig City na hindi siya sumuko sa kanyang pangarap. Noong nakaraang taon nga ay pinalawak ng organisasyon ang kanilang age limit sa edad na 28 para sa mga sasaling kandidata.
Ito na nga ang pangalawang pagsali ni Janelle sa pageant, at natupad ang kanyang matagal ng minimithi noong nakaraang taon.
“Dream ko talaga siya eversince, but it’s just that I already accepted before na hindi siya para sa akin because I joined several pageants and I did not really make it. Nung dumating yung opportunity to join, the fact that I could still join a pageant at that time was more than a blessing. Everything else is history.”
Samantala, malaki rin ang naging bahagi ng kaniyang elemental court na sina Miss Philippines Air Ana Monica Tan, Miss Philippines Fire Alexandra Dayrit, Miss Philippines Water Chelsea Fernandez at Miss Philippines Earth Eco Tourism Karen Piccio sa kanyang unforgettable year.
“Now that we’re passing on the crown, we know na magkakaroon na kami ng sari-sariling path after our reign. Parang ako yung naging ate nila. I never imagined to have real-life sisters in the pageantry.”
Noong Oktubre rin naman ng nakaraang taon ay naganap ang Miss Earth 2019 sa Paranaque City kung saan nakapasok ang Filipino-Chinese sa Top 20.
Inamin nitong natutunan niyang pahalagahan ang mga pagkakaibigang nabuo dahil sa pageant at proud siyang magkaroon ng mga ‘Earth sisters’ mula sa iba’t-ibang bansa.
“It was truly an unforgettable experience for me. I instantly had 84 sisters. I could say that the thing I really miss is the sisterhood. Yun yung pinaka-memorable. The crown will just be there for a year, and then you will relinquish and turn that over, but the friendship, the sisterhood that you have with the girls, with these women, it would last for a lifetime.”
Sinabi rin naman ng former TV host na saludo siya sa mga kandidata ngayong taon dahil sa kanilang tiyaga at determinasyon.
“They are really working so hard. Saludo ako sa effort nila. I’m also speaking on the effort of their team and their cities. Ang galing nila, sobra.”
May mensahe rin ito sa kanyang successor na papasahan niya ng kanyang korona, at magiging kauna-unahang virtually-crowned queen sa bansa.
“Enjoy every single moment. Everything will fly by so fast. Learn from every experience. When you are Miss Philippines Earth, it’s a job that you have to take so you have to be all around. I’m sure you will learn a lot of things. Sana you will continue the legacy and continue all the advocacies that you’re doing. Congratulations! I know it’s hard for the next Miss Philippines Earth, because it’s the first time we are doing this. You won and I’m just really so proud of you.”
Ibinahagi rin nito ang kanyang mga plano kapag naipasa na niya ang kanyang korona.
“I’m actually excited. I would definitely pursue my showbiz career. At the same time, I will train dapat as a reservist for Armed Forces of the Philippines under the Navy, kaso everything else is postponed. I’ll still be continuing my work with different organizations even after my reign.”
Nagpasalamat naman ito sa lahat ng sumuporta sa kanyang naging journey bilang Miss Philippines Earth 2019.
“Maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat ng sumuporta sa akin, yung sumubaybay sa journey ko. Sana ho nainspire ko kayo na tuparin ang inyong mga pangarap. Not just in beauty pageants, pero sa lahat ng larangan na gusto niyong tahakin. I would always say that my life is a living testament that nothing is impossible with God. Always pursue that dream. I hope that you will still support me.”
