Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 winners take in Cebu sights

CEBU, Philippines — Fresh from their coronation night, the winners of the Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 competition visited Cebu for a few days.

Newly-crowned Miss Asia Pacific 2018 Sharifa Areef Mohammad Omar Akeel of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines started her reign in Cebu City with a speaking engagement. Upon their arrival at the Mactan Cebu International Airport last October 15, the Filipina beauty queen was joined by her court, Gabriela Palma of Brazil (first runner-up), Melania Gonzales of Costa Rica (second runner-up), Misheelth Narmandakh of Mongolia (third runner-up), and Mariani Nataly Chacon Angarita from Venezuela (fourth runner-up).

It was Akeel’s first time in Cebu, as well as the ladies from Brazil, Costa Rica and Venezuela. Mongolia’s Misheelth Narmandakh, a 19-year-old foreign languages student, had already scuba-dived in Lapu-Lapu City two years ago.

“All I know about Cebu is Sinulog,” the 21-year-old Akeel began. “I’m not familiar with everything. I’m looking forward to discover more about beautiful Cebu.”

“I want to enjoy Cebu. When I search [on Google], I see a beautiful place and a beautiful city,” said Palma, 22, a jewelry and fashion design student and business owner who also served as judge during the Binibining Cebu 2018 coronation night.

In their three-day and two-night visit, the beauties had a city tour, seeing spots like the Mactan Shrine, Magellan’s Cross, Plaza Independencia, and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. The court also attended a courtesy call with Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale. Akeel stopped by the Mandaue City Central School to deliver a speech, furthering the Miss Asia Pacific International advocacy of beauty in diversity.

“I am so privileged to have the opportunity of delivering my message of inspiration to the elementary pupils of Mandaue City Central School. Daghang salamat sa inyong pagpalangga!” Akeel, an elementary school teacher who finished her Bachelor of Elementary Education degree at the Notre Dame of Salaman College, wrote on her Instagram stories about the affair where she talked about bullying and appreciating everyone’s uniqueness and differences.

In a quick interview, Akeel, who recently had her homecoming in the Municipality of Lebak, province of Sultan Kudarat, said that she would like to take her court to her hometown someday. She hopes that more people went to Mindanao.

“Maybe they’re [court] scared to go [my hometown] because Mindanao is well-known when it comes to war,” Akeel said. “It’s a beautiful place. There’s no war at all. I want them to go to my province. I want them to discover and experience our provincial capitol. It’s very beautiful and I’m looking forward for all of you to go there.”

Akeel, a Muslim, described the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol having a massive white Arabic-inspired structure and golden dome at the center. It also features a giant statue of Sultan Kudarat on the grounds.

After 25 years, Akeel was able to bring back the Miss Asia Pacific International crown to the country. Michelle Aldana of the Philippines won the same crown in 1993.

Right after winning the top title at the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2018 search in September 16, Akeel immediately found herself competing with 49 candidates from all over world for the 50th anniversary of Miss Asia Pacific International which commenced on October 4 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. With almost no preparation and despite the exhaustion, Akeel pulled through by dedicating her performance to her fellowmen.

“Finally, I’m so happy that we got the crown. I promised to clinch the crown and I tried my very best even though I had no preparation at all,” she quipped.

Apart from the international crown, Akeel also bagged awards like Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Darling of the Press, Best in National Costume 2nd runner-up, Miss ISKIN, and is one of five University of Perpetual Help Systems ambassadors.

“I was so tired but I just thank God for His blessings, and that He gave me the strength to survive. It was really survival. All my hard work paid off. This is for the Philippines. This is all for you my beloved Filipinos.”

Akeel looks forward to working with Miss Asia Pacific International. She  would love to work on her advocacy which is about peace education through appreciating beauty in diversity. Although she isn’t keen on entering the showbiz industry, she wishes to join more pageants and hopefully compete in Binibining Pilipinas.