Bb. Pilipinas International Angelica Lopez/ARMIN P. ADINA
DAHIL sa pasabog na pagrampa ni 2023 Binibining Pilipinas International Angelica Lopez sa pageant stage, walang mag-aakalang isa pala siyang introvert. Ngunit hindi lang iyon, lumaki rin pala siyang insecure, na mahirap paniwalaan sapagkat tila puno siya ng confidence tuwing humaharap sa mga manonood.
“A lot of people were criticizing me, that I cannot be a good speaker, I cannot be a good spokesperson because I’m shy, I grew up an introvert,” sinabi ng bagong reyna sa Inquirer nang makapanayam ng mga kawani ng midya ang mga nagwagi sa Bb. Pilipinas pageant sa Owner’s Circle sa Araneta City sa Quezon City dalawang araw makaraan silang makoronahan.
Sinabi ng sophomore psychology student sa Palawan State University na humugot siya ng lakas ng loob upang malagpasan ang takot sa pagharap sa tao nang isipin niya ang ibang nasa katulad niyang kalagayan. “I want to prove to them that I’m not only speaking for myself, I’m also speaking in behalf of these kids, and the young women who look up to me,” ipinaliwanag niya.
Sinabi ni Lopez na isang reyna ng Bb. Pilipinas din ang nag-inspire sa kanyang ialay ang sarili sa iba, at kumilos para sa mga bagay na malapit sa kaniyang puso—si 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray na naging host ng katatapos na coronation show ng pambansang patimpalak kung saan siya nagwagi.
Bb. Pilipinas International Angelica Lopez/ARMIN P. ADINA
“I was with her during her reign (as Bb. Pilipinas) in 2018. I also won in my city that time as Miss Puerto Princesa 2018, and we went together for a university tour, for HIV/AIDS awareness. I was really inspired how strong she is as a woman,” ibinahagi ni Lopez.
“Aside from that, I was moved by how she really speaks her heart out, and her mind, to really inspire other people and to uplift the voice of those unheard. And just like her, we have the same advocacy on the less fortunate,” pagpapatuloy pa niya, sinabing malapit sa kanya ang maralita sapagkat naranasan na niyang maging kapos sa buhay. Naging kahera siya at serbidora habang nag-aaral noong dalagita pa siya.
Ngayong isa na rin siyang reyna ng Bb. Pilipinas katulad ni Gray, umaasa si Lopez na makapagbibigay rin ng inspirasyon sa ibang tao ang pagwawagi niya. “Aside from resiliency, it’s all about promoting your own individuality, that no matter how many people say you are different from others, you will always stand out because of your own characteristics, values, and morals that you hold on to,” sinabi ng bagong reyna.
Tinukoy ni Lopez ang halaga na pagkilala sa sariling individuality. “That is what really makes us move really forward ahead in life. If we know ourselves more, we can do better. And no matter how many challenges we encounter along the way, we can always overcome it,” dinagdag niya.
“I really want to strengthen that message of hope to other people. That’s what I want to relay to them, and I hope I can inspire other people and be motivated by my story,” pagpapatuloy ng reyna, na magiging kinatawan ng Pilipinas sa ika-62 Miss International pageant sa isang taon.
Nasungkit ni Lopez ang titulo niya sa 2023 Bb. Pilipinas Grand Coronation Night na itinanghal sa Smart Araneta Coliseum sa Araneta City noong Mayo 28 kung saan 40 kalahok ang nagpabonggahan. Kinoronahan naman si Anna Valencia Lakrini bilang Bb. Pilipinas Globe, habang first runner-up si Katrina Anne Johnson and second runner-up si Atasha Reign Parani.