MANILA, Philippines - Janicel Lubina, one of the candidates in the 2015 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, has attracted the attention of netizens and the media.
IN PHOTOS: Bb. Pilipinas 2015 press presentation
She can be considered as a veteran in the local beauty pageant circuit. She was runner-up to Megan Young during the 2013 Miss World Philippines pageant and was a contestant in the Top Model of the World International contest in 2014.
But the 19-year-old aspiring beauty queen, who hails from Palawan, is also a former house helper and farmer.
“Hindi ko ine-expect na nandito na ako ngayon sa rurok ng pangarap ko. Mula sa pagiging simpleng babae sa probinsya na hindi mo iisipin after ilang years, nandito na ngayon sa Manila,” she told reporters during the Bb. Pilipinas 2015 press presentation on Tuesday.
Janicel said she is proud of her humble background. She revealed her father suffered from a mild stroke when she was in third year college. This made her do a number of jobs to help her family financially. “Kaya nag-farm ako, nagbubukid ako, naging kasambahay din ako,” she said, adding her mother is also a house help.
“I’m proud kung saan ako nanggaling. And, I think, maraming na-inspire sa kuwento ko,” Janicel added.
She believes she has improved as a beauty queen aspirant, more than a year after she was bested by Megan in Miss World Philippines pageant.
Janicel is one of the high-profile contestants in this year’s pageant which has attracted a number of returning candidates vying for the five titles available in this year’s Bb. Pilipinas pageant.
Check out photos of Bb. Pilipinas 2015 candidate Janicel Lubina: