Back in Manila from Istanbul, Alexandra Faith Garcia was a vision of pride and excitement coming home wearing the Miss Aura International 2021 crown she won in October. But she didn’t know she was also carrying another ‘corona.’
The homecoming queen had tested positive for COVID-19, the ‘corona’ that no one would ever wish for in her life, she said. Asymptomatic, Garcia took a five-day quarantine upon her arrival and spent 11 days in an isolation facility until she completely recovered.
Finally, back on her feet, the 28-year-old businesswoman and former triathlete did not show any trace of her experience with the ‘corona’, looking every inch a Miss Aura queen of beauty and grace during a homecoming victory press conference recently held in her honor.
“I so happy to be back and I’m feeling emotional to be standing before you realizing that dreams do come true as long as you don’t stop believing in yourself, in whatever paths our life takes us, never doubt yourself that one day all of your dreams will come true,” Garcia said holding back her tears.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be crowned as Miss Aura International 2021. I know deep down in my heart that this crown comes with a big responsibility. I will forever take this crown as a symbol of bringing a good Aura to each and everyone,” the Olongapo native added.
Garcia will travel the world as part of her duty as Miss Aura International 2021. She said that she would continue to support the Department of Agriculture’s F.A.I.T.H (Food Always In The Home) project campaign and is opening herself for more collaborations with other organizations.
Garcia believes in promoting an agriculture-driven economy, especially, in building a resilient and fast recovery from the pandemic, as one of her advocacies.
“Growing your food in your own backyard may be the best thing we can do for our own health and family and to have food security during this pandemic,” Garcia maintained.
“A lot of people have been affected by the pandemic in many ways. We continue with our struggles but this is just a challenge for us to become tougher in life. Just continue to have faith in God and trust in oneself that in every dawn there is always a new day full of positivity waiting for us. Let’s be grateful in all the little things that we receive, and to just spread love in these most trying times,” Garcia’s message to the Filipinos.
Garcia was warmly received by her Miss Aura International Philippines team including mentor Rodgil Flores of Kagandang Flores beauty camp, fashion designer Cathy Capistrano and Mrs. Universe Tourism Philippines Chrizzie Escalante.
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Mrs. Manila and Mrs. Laguna named Philippine representatives in Mrs. Universe Australia 2021 pageant
Mrs. Universe-Philippines 3rd Queen 2021 Monique Cantalejo Rivera and Mrs. Universe-Philippines Ambassadress of Tourism 2021 Christine Escalante were officially named Philippine representatives in Mrs. Universe Australia 2021 pageant to be held in Sydney, Australia. Both passed the audition out of about 100 Fil-Australian and Australian citizens applicants in February 2021.
Rivera, a 39-year-old, mother of two, is a self-made, successful entrepreneur. She started to achieve her dream to become a beauty queen when she joined Eat Bulaga’s Beautiful Girl in 2002 and was named Dream Girl 2nd runner-up. She was crowned Mrs. Laguna 2018 and competed in Mrs. International 2018 in Singapore winning the title Mrs. South East Asia.
Rivera is a volunteer worker at Onessimo Foundation, a private organization working for the welfare of the disadvantaged and “at risk” children and youth, by providing counseling, shelter, skills, and proper schooling.
Escalante, a dedicated mother of three, is a businesswoman, part-time commercial model, an aspiring actress and co-host of a lifestyle show on ATC International, TV31. A contractor, Escalante is the owner of Custech Contact Center Philippines, which caters to international and local market, and GHVR trading and construction.
Escalante is the head of the League of Empowered Women (LEW) and vice-president of Wanita Filipina, two organizations that aim to help uplift the social and economic conditions of marginalized Filipino women.
She was also designated Lady Queen of World-Class Excellence Awards (WCEA), an international charity organization that advocates sustainable projects for disenfranchised children, PWDs, and the elderlies.
Mrs. Australia Universe 2021 is organized and presented by MS Production, headed by Mary Rose Salubre, founder and National Director, and will be held together with Miss Supermodel Universe, Australian Golden Sash Awards, and Sydney's Best Dressed on December 26, 2021.
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Mrs. North Pacific Asia 2021 talks about being a cancer survivor as motivation in life
Happily married for 24 years, Ellen Poyaoan-Santos, a Ph.D holder-academician- certified international aesthetician by profession and CEO of Dermeskin Aesthetics Philippines, said that giving back to her community is what she intends to do after her winning Mrs. Universe-Philippines North Pacific Asia 2021.
“I’m currently running one of the very 1st Philippine Robotics schools in San Carlos City named as Butterfly Kingdom e-Learning School Inc. (BKELS). Under this institution, I am also running our BKELS Foundation and doing my advocacies for more than 20 years giving hope and a helping hand to the youth and "nanaypreneurs" in a marginalized sector. I am at present has an active Community Engagement Program that goes to different remote mission areas in the 44 towns and cities of Pangasinan."
"I also give “Sapat Na Pangkabuhayan para sa mga Kababaihan” through retailing and whole selling programs of the locally made products of San Carlos City Pangasinan called AGP JAVA Green Coffee and Choco Moringga which opens a great door to “Nanaypreneurs” of Pangasinan to bounce back especially this time of pandemic. While their kids were given “Sapat na Scholarship Programs” these mothers of brilliant kabataan were also empowered by giving them Nanaypreneurs skills and trainings to fulfil the mission and advocacies of giving “Sapat na Pangkabuhayan Para sa Kababaihan”. I hope to expand our advocacies through the Mrs. Universe Philippines platform,” Santos said about her plans.
“I’m a cancer survivor. God gave me a second life that I deserve and I want to use this as a weapon in helping the community, the people of San Carlos City and Pangasinan. My biggest achievements are having a good family, a loving husband and three kids who are graduating soon in Ateneo Manila University Gokongwei, School of Business” Santos said.
“My advocacy thru the BKELS Foundation has provided more than three hundred scholarship programs in the remote areas. I’m the co-founder and was the first ever president of a Community College in San Carlos City, the Binalatongan Community College, (BCC) that caters the poor but deserving students in the City” said the lady academician who filed her candidacy as Vice Mayor of San Carlos City.
“This pandemic is what we call ‘pagsubok ng panahon (challenge of the times). These are uncertain times, we cannot tell for sure what will happen tomorrow. As I said I’m a cancer survivor, this is a most precious time to give my time to helping others, to reach out even in far-flung areas at my own risk, because I have comorbidities.”
“Whatever help you can give, big or small, I consider it as achievement for myself. Have strong faith in God, always pray, stay healthy and love your family. Unite, help one another in the community, nothing is impossible ~ together we can do this!,” said Santos when asked on her message to everyone.