A new queen has arrived! On May 28, Binibining Pilipinas officially crowned its latest titleholder to represent the country in Miss International 2024, Angelica Lopez of Palawan. But for the regular pageant viewer, the newly minted titleholder might seem a tad familiar. Curious? To get the lowdown on our Filipina representative, check out our quick fact sheet below!'
1. Angelica Lopez is 22 years old.
The Gen Z beauty queen was born in the year 2000!
2. Angelica Lopez is a psychology major.
The newly crowned Binibining Pilipinas International titleholder puts her education as one of her priorities, as she’s currently a psychology major at Palawan State University.
3. Angelica Lopez decided to enter pageants to help her mother with expenses.
In a previous interview with PEP, the young candidate revealed her personal experience in dealing with hunger and poverty, which ultimately formed her advocacy. Angelica shared that she grew up in a “very simple family” that had to make ends meet. This prompted her to join pageants at an early age in able to help out with the household expenses.
“I was able to become independent as well,” she said. “I used pageantry as an avenue to support myself, to earn money, to support my sister and as well as my mother.”
4. Angelica Lopez previously joined Miss Universe Philippines.
Binibining Pilipinas is certainly not Angelica’s first foray into the national pageantry scene! She counts herself as one of the batchmates of Celeste Cortesi during Miss Universe Philippines 2022. There, Angelica finished in the impressive Top 16, and ended up in the Top 3 during the pageant’s Fashion and Runway challenge. She also bagged the Luxxe ImmunPlus Queen Majestic special award!
5. Angelica Lopez was the first runner-up at another international pageant.
Months after her stint at Miss Universe Philippines 2022, Angelica already made her rounds in the international pageantry scene in Miss Asia Global 2022. Held in Penang, Malaysia, the beauty queen earned her spot as the first runner-up as the Filipina representative. Thailand's Warapon Mae Yarbrough, meanwhile, was crowned as the pageant’s titleholder.
6. Angelica Lopez had her team since she was 14 years old.
A beauty queen isn’t without a support system backing them up! Angelica found hers at the young age of 14 years old, and hasn't looked back since. Crediting Palawan’s Elitista Circle of Models, she stated that they “molded” her into the person she is today.
“I'm beyond grateful kasi I know na without their help, I wouldn't be in this position,” she said. “I owe it to them. Every effort and time they're giving to me in this journey. So I really hope na I can pay back at the end of the day, all of their hard work and sacrifices.”
7. Angelica Lopez’s national costume was inspired by the Tubbataha Reefs.
Palawan is synonymous with its natural landscape and picturesque settings, so it’s no wonder that Angelica took a few cues from that. For her national costume, the candidate recruited designer Patrick Isorena for a grand ensemble that represented the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tubbataha Reefs. The bodysuit and accessories were crafted from precious metals and crystals inspired by the underground resources in Angelica’s home province, encapsulating it as the “last ecological frontier.”
8. Angelica Lopez’s role model is her mother.
Angelica’s mother, who passed away four years ago, keeps close to her heart as her role model and guiding light. The beauty queen also referenced her mom during her winning star in Binibining Pilipinas’ Q&A segment.
“I stand here tonight because it is my mother that instilled me the values and the morals that I’m using to be the woman that I am now today,” she shared. “A woman who has the strength, courage, and tenacity. The strength to decide for herself what she wants really works hard to achieve it.”
9. Angelica Lopez’s advocacy caters to children.
The Filipina representative spearheads feeding programs and gift-giving activities for less-fortunate children, as part of her youth organization back home. In previous interviews and personal posts, Angelica explained that she resonated with kids in need, as she didn’t have a “golden childhood” herself.
“When I was around eight years old I made a promise to myself that whenever I had the opportunity to help, I will do so since I understand what it's like to have nothing,” she wrote.
10. You can follow Angelica Lopez on Instagram.
Follow Angelica on her Miss International journey through her Instagram page.
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