Noong 2019 pa kinoronahan si Chaiyenne Huisman (gitna) bilang Miss Asia Pacific International. Mga runner-up niya sina (mula kaliwa) Fiorella Cortez Arbenz, Carolina Schuler, Jessica Cianchino, at Eoanna Constanza./ARMIN P. ADINA
HAHAWAKAN pa ni Chaiyenne Huisman ang korona niya bilang Miss Asia Pacific International nang mas matagal sa inaasahan. Nasungkit niya ito noong 2019 sa patimpalak na idinaos dito sa Pilipinas, ngunit napalawig ang pagrereyna niya makaraang ihayag ng mga organayser na “indefinitely postponed” and edisyon nito para sa 2020 dahil sa pandemya.
Ngunit nitong Abril 20, muling naglabas ng pahayag ang mga organizer na nagsasabing “it is with deep sadness that we have to further postpone the staging of Miss Asia Pacific International this year.”
“It is one of the toughest decisions we have had to make. But at the end of the day, the safety of our staff, our candidates, and their respective countries, our partners, and our supporters takes ultimate priority,” bahagi pa ng nasabing statement.
Sa isang online interview, sinabi ni Huisman sa Inquirer na, “I have mixed feelings about it. Yes, my reign has been extended but with the current conditions, our efforts are focused online. Nevertheless, I think this is better since the safety of the candidates is the most important thing at this point.”
Pagpapatuloy pa niya, “I think I speak on behalf of a lot of people when I say I miss physical interaction.”
Ikinatuwa rin niya ang mga ginawa niya sa Pilipinas bago nagsimula ang pandemya.
“I got to interact with the kids, spoke in front of the students, and met a lot of interesting people. I think nothing replaces that and I miss doing activities like those,” paliwanag ni Huisman.
Gayunman, nagsikap si Huisman at ang pamunuan ng patimpalak na maipagpatuloy ang pagsusulong sa adbokasiya sa kabila ng mga limitasyong bunga ng pandemya.
“I’m doing the best I can to entertain and help the community with our online dialogues and content. I believe it’s a great way to interact with everyone in a safe way. In this way, we still get to carry the advocacy of the crown,” ani Huisman.
Pangako naman ng organizer na ipagpapatuloy ang kanilang adhikaing, “to champion our shared advocacy through dynamic content and initiatives till we see each other again on stage.”