Miss Globe Maureen Montagne (kaliwa) at Miss Cosmo World Meiji Cruz/ARMIN P. ADINA
KAPAPANALO lang ni Meiji Cruz sa Miss Cosmo World pageant bago nagtapos ang 2022, ang unang tagumpay ng bansa sa naturang patimpalak, at unang international title naman para sa kanya.
Ngayon, mayroon pa siyang mararanasan sa unang pagkakataon—isang Valentine’s date.
“This will be my first time to celebrate Valentine’s, because I really didn’t believe in Valentine’s, ayokong makiuso,” sinabi ni Cruz sa Inquirer sa isang panayam sa final screening sa mga aplikante para sa 2023 Binibining Pilipinas pageant sa New Frontier Theater sa Araneta City sa Quezon City noong Peb. 6.
Balak umano nilang mag-date sa isang fine dining restaurant. “Bakit hindi ko i-try with my boyfriend now? I want to experience this, a date on Valentine’s Day, para more romantic. This would be the first time to celebrate. I wanna look good, aawra talaga ako for Valentine’s, maiiba,” pagpapatuloy niya.
May mas malalim namang halaga ang pagdiriwang ng Valentine’s Day para sa Bb. Pilipinas batchmate niyang si Maureen Montagne, na nasungkit ang korona bilang Miss Globe noong 2021.
Miss Globe Maureen Montagne (kaliwa) at Miss Cosmo World Meiji Cruz/ARMIN P. ADINA
“I think winning an international title really tests your relationship, a lot of girls don’t survive that. So I’m super thankful that Dan has been my rock, and that we’ve survived all of the obstacles that we faced,” ibinahagi ni Montagne sa Inquirer. “It definitely made us stronger and made us hold on to each other tighter. So I’m excited to celebrate our third Valentine’s Day together,” dinagdag niya.
Sinabi na umano niya sa nobyong si Dan na sorpresahin siya. “I think we’re going to have a fine dining experience, let’s see. I told him, ‘give me some romance baby,’ so I’m expecting a lot of romance,” aniya.
Hinikayat din ni Montagne ang mga Pilipino na magbahagi ng pagmamahal sa Araw ng mga Puso. “Don’t be shy, tell your crush how you feel, and don’t be afraid to show love to your friends, your family as well. Everybody needs love in their life,” aniya.
Sumang-ayon naman si Cruz. “This Valentine’s is not only for couples, for partners, but also for friends and family. This is a great time to be extra sweet to your mom, to your dad, to your family members and to your friends, of course. Share kindness and love, because it will surely bounce back to you 10 times, I believe in that,” aniya.
Maliban kina Montagne at Cruz, isa pang reyna ng 2021 Bb. Pilipinas pageant ang nag-uwi ng pandaigdigang titulo, si 2021 Miss Intercontinental Cinderella Faye Obeñita.