Gracia Castor Mendoza, a seventeen year old beauty from Lipa, Batangas was chosen to be the Philippines representative for the Look of the Year, an annual modeling contest to be held in Rome first week of December. She was selected by a panel of judges through a casting exclusively for the said competition. This 5 foot seven inches stunner is a freshman of DLSU in Lipa taking up BS Accountancy.
Gracia was ecstatic upon learning that she was unanimously picked as the country’s bet to one of the most longest- running and popular modeling competition abroad. “ This is a dream come true for me, to represent our country in an international contest” she says. She has the one hundred percent support of her parents Gary Mendoza and Liza Castor and all of his relatives and friends in their province. Everything is all set until the day of the release of her visa. She learned from the Italian Embassy that her request was denied due to three reasons “They told me that I am not financially sound to support all the expenses for my travel to Rome.” Gracia says. She told the members of the media that her expenses for the duration of the pageant will be shouldered by the organizers of the contest. “ And I have the support of my family, money would be a minor problem for my travel, modesty aside” she added. She also revealed that the Embassy has a doubt regarding the authenticity of the 
contest. “ They are doubting if the said contest really exist and the worst thing is they told me that they are not sure if I have plan of going back here after the competition. Parang sinasabi nila na may balak akong mag TNT” she said.
During a press conference last December 6 held at Cali Burger, she told the media that she has been to Italy for four times already and stayed there for several years. “My parents worked there as an OFW. So if I have really an intention to stay for good in Italy I had done that sana noon pa”. Gracia was disappointed because her father who still in Italy and some of her relatives are looking forward to see her competing for the Philippines.
It took days before she finally accepted the fact that she is no longer competing internationally. But she is still optimistic for the possibility of representing the country in other international pageants abroad in the future. “ My mind was already conditioned that I am going to compete in Rome. Pero ganun talaga may mga bagay na hindi nag mamaterialize. Siguro blessing in disguise na rin. Right now, I just focus on the things na makakapag alis ng disappointed ko. Nag enroll din po ako lately at the Mapua Institute of Technology para hindi naman po sayang yung oras na mawawa sa pag aaral ko”.
Just few hours after this interview, her local talent agency called to advised her that she will be going to compete at the Miss Teenager Universe coming March 2015 in Guatemala. “ God is really good. Kung may nawala man for sure may darating na kapalit. Mas bagay sakin ang pageant na ito kase I’m still very young. I know andun parin ang support na ibinigay sakin ng family at mga kaibigan ko”. Gracia is also planning to try the national pageant level when she already at the right age. “Lahat po ng natutunan ko sa ibang pageant ay gagamitin ko po when the time na pag decide na po ako sumali sa mga national contests like Bb. Pilipinas and Miss World Philippines” she finally added.