How Mrs. PH International 2023 Irma Bitzer empowered herself

CEBU, Philippines — As an entrepreneur and education advocate, Mrs. Philippines International 2023 Irma Payod-Bitzer always donates her profits to the Bukas Palad Foundation where she is one of the benefactors of 200 children.

“I make sure that my advocacy and my businesses are always meeting with each other. There’s always a link. I am not only financially assisting, but I also spend my time talking to these students,” she told The FREEMAN at the recent grand opening of the Iconique Mall branch of Skin 911 Facial and Slimming Centre, which launched her as its latest ambassadress.

“I am doing full-time accounting for this foundation because that pays my profession and I am sharing my profession with them.”

The Bisaya beauty queen was once in these kids’ shoes. Born to a farmer and a housewife, she is the fifth of eight children in a family that struggled to make ends meet.

“There were many days that I didn’t have any meals in a day. I would always faint in the streets because I had nothing to eat,” she shared.

She didn’t let her underprivileged upbringing determine her future as she was determined to change her fate by going to school.

“I was never absent even if I was walking to school with no food. I had to tell myself that my future has to change and it lies within me,” she continued.

By fourth grade, she was already working as a helper for one of her teachers. Looking back, it surprises her how she mustered the courage to ask for a job. “I was living with her and she was providing for my school needs,” shared Bitzer, who went to Ormoc City National High School, and later on took an Accounting course at the University of the Philippines-Visayas Tacloban.

When she visited her school again recently, this time as a speaker for the commencement rites of elementary students, her teachers couldn’t help but feel emotional.

“It was tears of joy. They were so happy to see me succeed because they couldn’t imagine the Irma now who used to faint and they would buy me bread when I was about to faint,” she recalled. “I am so happy that I was able to talk in front of the students there because my teachers know that my story would resonate with them.”

When she competed at Mrs. Philippines International 2023 back in April, the mother of two chose not to see her co-candidates as competitors. Instead, she focused on herself and strived to improve.

“I overcome my doubts by not competing with others. I was trying to compete only with myself. If I fail, it was because of me. If I win, it’s because of me. I think that’s why I succeeded because I never competed with others. I was trying to focus on my weaknesses and work on them so it becomes an asset for me.”

With Mrs. Cebu Philippines soon to officially unveil this year’s candidates, Bitzer will advise them to stick to their advocacies.

“I won because of my advocacy, my passion, and my performances which I exerted more than 100 percent. To those aspiring to be the next Mrs. Philippines, focus on yourself, assess your weakness, and convert them into strengths,” said Bitzer, who will represent the Philippines at Mrs. International in Singapore next year.

“Don’t forget your advocacy, which is the reason why you wanna be in Mrs. Philippines because that’s one of the things that will motivate you to be the best that you can be.” — (FREEMAN)