Athena Auxillo: Toledo City’s pride

CEBU, Philippines — As the host delegate at Miss Philippines Earth 2023, newly-crowned Miss Philippines Ecotourism Athena Auxillo felt a stronger need to place and make her hometown proud during Saturday’s finals at the Toledo City Sports Center.

“So I really gave my all and showed everyone what I have been working hard on these past few days. I really felt overjoyed and emotional every time I went out on stage. I kept on composing myself and holding back my tears but I was grateful for all of it,” Auxillo, a resident of Barangay Talavera, Toledo City, tells The FREEMAN.

This 20-year-old Psychology major at the University of San Carlos was among 28 candidates who competed for the chance to represent the country at Miss Earth 2023 in Vietnam.

The reigining Binibining Toledo, Auxillo was also a Top 16 finalist at last year’s Hiyas ng Pilipinas, the country’s first Cebu-based national pageant.

“I was honestly called and chosen by the LGU in Toledo to represent my hometown again in a national stage,” said Auxillo, who dreams of working as a clinical or forensic psychologist.

“The amount of trust they have in me truly made my heart full, and joining MPE this year molded me to be the eco-warrior that I am today. Even though I’ve always been concerned for our environment, this pageant made me want to fight for the environment.”

Auxillo said she felt a heavier weight on her shoulders especially especially during the announcement of the top 15 finalists when, quite the nail-biter, she was called last. “I felt so emotional when they called me last because I couldn’t imagine the embarrassment of not being able to place and make my fellow Toledanons proud,” she shared.

“All the hard work behind the scenes was definitely worth it when I won the title. I was also making history with my hometown as it was the very first national pageant held in Toledo City. I felt all the excitement from the people in Toledo when me and my co-candidates arrived.”  — (FREEMAN)