Janicel Lubina’s Welcome Press Con and Rogelie Catacutan’s Send-off Party
“I have no regrets. I did my best and I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent our country the best way I could.” said Binibining Pilipinas 2015 international Janicel Lubina after her Top 10 finish at the recent Miss International pageant in Grand Prince Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. Miss Venezuela Edymar Martin was crowned winner, besting over 70 delegates who joined the 5555th edition of the pageant. Miss Honduras was first runner-up. followed by Miss Kenya, Miss Vietnam and Miss USA in ascending order.
Janicel was a standout onstage; from the National Costume Competition where she donned local designer Leo Almodal’s creation to her heartfelt speech about her life story and her earnest dream of inspiring others with it. "Life has been full of hardships and challenges, but i never stopped dreaming and working hard to achieve my goals in life. I want to be an inspiration to young people; that nothing is impossible if you follow your dreams and have a strong faith in God,“ said 20-year old Lubina whose humble beginnings endeared her to many, earning her the tag as Cinderella of the Philippines since she won the Binibining Pilipinas International crown.
Janicel has everyone to thank for her amazing journey and will forever treasure memories and lessons she learned from the whole experience. "I am so grateful to everyone who supported me. Sa pamilya ko at sa lahat nang nagtiwala sa akin, maraming maraming salamat po. I did my best and being able to go there to compete is an achievement in itself. Dahil doon, mas nakilala ko ang sarili ko. I became more prayerful and I learned how to get along with people from other races. I really enjoyed my stay in Japan,” said Janicel.
Meanwhile, Binibining Pilipinas 2015 Supranational Rogelie Catacutan is gearing up for another battle with international beauties. Rogelie, 24, is a fearless Cebuana set out to compete at the Miss Supranational 2015 pageant in Krynica- Zdoj, Poland on December 4 . “I am very excited. It is a great honor to compete bearing the Philippine flag," A Registered Nurse and a former hotelier, Rogelie is working hard for the upcoming pageant. She knows that she cannot embark on this journey unarmed so she went through rigorous trainings to achieve her weight goal and perfect the distinct style of her “pageant walk”.
The winner in this year’s competition will succeed Miss Supranational 2014 Asha Bhat from India and will work for charitable causes as well as travel the world in promoting tourism and goodwill among all nations. Succeeded by Miss Supranational 2013 titleholder Mutya Johanna Datul, Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Supranational Yvethe Santiago made it to the Top 20 of the said competition. Rogelie fervently wishes she can bring the crown home as fitting Christmas gift for her fellow countrymen.