WATCH: Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters on Boracay, Siargao rehab

MANILA, Philippines — As a beach enthusiast, BInibining Pilipinas Miss Universe 2017 Rachel Peters applauded the government’s move to rehabilitate Boracay island. 

“What Duterte has decided to do in Boracay was beneficial for Boracay, for the people of Boracay. The island really needed to be rehabilitated,” Rachel said.

She recalled her memories visiting the island. “I went there once when I really young and once again two years ago, my expectation before my last trip was so high and then when I got there I'm quite disappointed.”

“Considering that whenever I speak to anyone around the world when I say I'm from the Philippines, they say 'oh Boracay is really nice I wanna go there' it's sad to know that reality it is not what they think it is, so I think it's great that they given the island time to rehabilitate and get back to its full glory,” she added.

Another famous beach tourist destination in the country that is now also critical because of the sudden influx of tourist is Siargao island. For Rachel, who has a coffee shop in Siargao, the rehabilitation of Siargao is not an option but more of a part of master planning.  

“I know they had master plan in the works. It's never too late to master plan. However, I think it was a little bit late now. Parang they were trying to catch up para they don't make the same mistake that they made in Boracay. I think they are taking the proper steps to avoid the same thing happen again in Siargao,” she said.  

“I think it also comes down to the mentality of the tourists that are coming. They need to respect that it is home to the people of Siargao. The thing is they should want to share it with other people so that future tourist can also enjoy it as the beautiful island that it is,” she added.    

Since Rachel is an advocate of everything natural, especially in her lifestyle, she has been recently tapped as brand ambassador of the Botanique toothpaste range by Himalaya, a range of toothpaste that is reportedly made with 100 percent Organic Certified (USDA certified) ingredients and from 97 percent natural sources.

For Rachel, having a healthy smile is important not only because she is a beauty queen, but also since she professed that she is scared of the dentist.

"There was one time when I really had to have a root canal before Miss Universe and they had to put me to sleep because I really can't face the dentist," she shared with a laugh. — Videos by Deni Bernardo

Related video: Rachel Peters on Siargao rehabilitation