PINOY na Pinoy ang puso ni Miss United States Evelyn Abena Akuaba Appiah na siyang kinoronahang 2020 Miss Grand International.
In fairness, bukod sa mga taga-Amerika, suportado rin ng ilang mga Filipino ang pageant journey ni Miss USA dahil napalapit na rin sa kanila ang beauty queen.
Sa mga hindi pa nakakaalam, ilan sa mga isinuot ni Appiah sa Miss Grand International ay gawa ng mga Pinoy, kabilang na ang agaw-eksena niyang “Black Lives Matter”-inspired national costume.
Ang nag-design nito ay ang Los Baños, Laguna-based designer na si Mark Lixcel Lantican kasama ang kanyang creative team.
“I started dressing her since Miss Earth Ghana for her Philippine Terno which she bagged gold. Aside from the Black Lives Matter USA national costume, she also wore our creations at Miss Supranational, Miss Grand USA and the rest of her dinner and day to day outfits at Miss Grand International,” sabi ng designer sa panayam ng ABS-CBN.
“Trima Couture and painter Jun Alcachupas also worked with me and my vest alternative shop in Los Baños. Adam Rico also provided the accessories provider for Miss USA and Sam Bernardo,” aniya pa.
Matapos siyang koronahan nitong weekend sa grand coronation na ginanap sa Thailand, muling ibinandera ni Appiah ang kanyang pasasalamat sa Pilipinas pati na rin sa mga mentor niyang si Rodgil Flores at ang Kagandahang Flores beauty camp.
Taong 2019 nang magsimula si Appiah na mag-training sa ilalim ni Rodgil para sa kanyang Miss Earth pageant journey kung saan ni-represent niya ang kanyang mother country na Ghana.
Sa nasabing international pageant sumikat si Appiah dahil sa mga natutunan niyang Tagalog phrases na ginagamit niya noon para aliwin ang madlang pipol.
Kabilang na riyan ang mga punchline niyang, “Ang batang malakas kumain ay laging may Ghana!” at “Gumamit ng tabo at palang-Ghana!”
“I am just proud that Abena also considers herself a Filipino,” sabi ni Rodgil.
Kung matatandaan, matapos manalong Miss Grand USA noong July, 2020, agad siyang nagbigay ng mensahe para sa Pilipinas.
“Mahal kita! Do not think I will ever forget you, I am Aeta and forever will be,” bahagi ng pahayag ng dalaga sa isang Instagram post.
Sa isa pa niyang IG post, may pa-tribute din si Miss USA sa Pilipinas, “Maraming salamat Philippines, mahal kita at sambahin kita. Tinanggap mo lahat ako at pinayagan akong tamasahin ang iyong magandang kultura.
“Ako ay Filipino sa pamamagitan ng puso, mahal na mahal kita, pinagdarasal ko na mapasaya kitang lahat,” mensahe pa ni Appiah.
Samantala, sa kanyang IG page nag-post uli si Miss USA matapos tanghaling Miss Grand International 2020.
“Last night I walked down the stage of @missgrandinternational surrounded by beautiful women from all across the world.
“I want to highlight them for being examples to the girls and women in their countries and around the world. I want to encourage them to continue to stand on their platforms. It is true that together we can make this world more extraordinary for the future.
“With that said, I stand here today as your @missgrandinternational I accomplished the unthinkable for all the girls that look like me; I want you to know your hair is beautiful, your skin is flawless, and that you should wear all of it with pride and grace.
“We are enough; we are beautiful, we do not have to fit any beauty standards because we set our own. The first BLACK MGI Queen, the first to bring the golden crown home to the USA, and finally, a dream as a young three-year-old is now a reality.
“I want to say a big thank you to @nawat.tv , the judges, and @teresa.mgi for believing and trusting me with this great opportunity.
“I promise to cherish every moment and to be a great role model. I also want to thank my fantastic team for their hard work and dedication!
“Lastly, I want us to continuously remember the lost lives due to inequalities, injustices, and hate. May we lead with love, peace, and support.
“Continue to Say Their Names always, and may their lives live through us with purpose. I could not have done it without my team,” pahayag pa ni Appiah.