When I was young, I did varied after-school activities - I did art, drama, science, math. I'm not the sporty kind of person, but I did get a certificate on outdoor recreation.
I just feel like a Filipina, a Filipino woman, and it just so happens that when I was growing up, I was very much an Australian, and I think you can be both.
It's just so funny that when I was growing up, I was very much of an Australian. I just thought it was funny that there was this war, like, 'No, she's ours, she's practically a Miss Australia.' But I am a Miss Philippines.
I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila, and the life there is poor and very sad. And I've always taught to myself to look for the beauty of it and look in the beauty of the faces of the children and to be grateful.
If I could teach people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their face.
I am a creative person.
So many people look up to pageants, including young girls and young boys. The message that I would hate to send to them is that you're only deemed worthy of a title or worthy of recognition or of success if you fit in a certain number.
I think we are moving to that place where we are being celebrated for our character, our inside, our wit. I think that's the direction we should go because that's what defines you as a person, not a number on a scale.
Philippines, what an amazing honor it has been to carry your name across my chest and to embody you in all aspects.
I think Miss Universe is wonderful platform that we promote diversity and women empowerment. Why? Because we are achieved women who have stories, who have passions, who have careers.
Some people think that confidence is something that some people just have. Even though I may look confident strutting in a two-piece on a stage, there are days when I'm so nervous, or I feel like, 'Oh my gosh, I don't know if I can do this.'
Ever since Binibini, I've really been hands-on since I've been an independent candidate. I'm hands-on in every single aspect of my preparations because I'm having so much fun.
To be a Miss World is to carry a burning torch. It is like action carried out by one to illuminate the lives of many.
Social media has definitely revolutionized or transformed the world of pageantry, and not just pageantry, but any social cause that we like to lend our voice to, how we inform each other, how we connect.
We Filipinos bond over food, music, dance, and shares stories. And to Filipinos, no matter who you are and where you come from, you always have an invitation to celebration.
I'm very mindful that I am representing the Philippines, so I cannot voice an opinion that contradicts that of our leader, Pres. Duterte.
I just constantly tell myself that I should be the only one to define my worth and what I'm capable of and how I perceive myself. And that I should never source that worth from other people, especially strangers on social media. They don't know who I am, the length of my journey, who I am as a person.
I loved school as a kid. I was a bit of a nerd.
I can sing in my head and rearrange the tune of a song, note per note. I am a nerd.
I am very open to learning. I am like a sponge: I'd like to soak up in new things, new skills.
