During the Virtual Press Conference hosted by Miss Universe Singapore National Director Valerie Lim – along with the 2019 titleholder Mohanaprabha Selvam – the representative of Singapore to the 69th Miss Universe was formally introduced. She is Bernadette Belle Wu Ong.
26 year-old Belle is Philippine-born to full Chinese parents. At the age of 10, her family migrated to Singapore and has been staying there ever since. So it shouldn’t surprise you that she is just as fluent in Filipino as she is in English and Conversational Mandarin. Professionally, she is an Events Host, Actress and Professional Model.
Belle will undergo part of her trainings here in Manila before the Miss Universe competition in 2021. She was initially delegated for Miss Charm International in Vietnam. But with the pandemic and limitations, the organization has decided to send her to MU instead.
Bernadette Belle is a woman of the world. A model, host and actress, Belle has lived and worked both in Singapore and abroad, making her an excellent communicator who can relate to a variety of cultures and backgrounds. She is a diligent hardworker who believes in continuous learning. She has also worked 4 jobs to put herself through school while she was in Australia. A graduate of Accounting and Finance, she is also trained in the culinary arts.
Do watch a video of Belle during last year’s national competition.
Oooh. Another pagkakakitaan ng #TeamAhas.
@ CatrionaFan I assume they will give the training FOC. It’s the least they can do, considering JG’s Singapore links got him the Aerian Essentials (silver-doped antimicrobial face mask?) sponsorship for MUP. And if I were MUO, I would be pleased with MUPO’S efforts in assisting neighbors. These arrangements can have long-term benefits. Maybe Singapore re-hosts? 🙂
Gretchen Ho
Very Michelle Dee ang Aura!
She is pretty and well spoken. She is one of the strong contenders for MU crown.
I thought she looked FIlipina… Didn’t expect that she technically is one for being born here..
Chinese parents, Elementary in the Philippines.. Highschool in Singapore and college in Australia… wow!!
At least now the Asian team is getting stronger and stronger… I hope she and Rabiya would become close friends. 🙂
Yyaayyy!! I caught the Press Conference in time (the latter part). 🙂
LIKEY a lot, this girl. But in general, I like about Singaporeans their very level-headed mindset.
Puwede siya’ng pang-Ms&MrChPhl-OverseasCommunity… The org should consider it. After all, everywhere in the world now, there is some Chinese presence (a Chinatown-of-sorts), and this new generation is very mobile and cosmopolitan. The concept of “nationality” is getting ever narrower, with a shared global oneness becoming more and more the (pageantry) norm.
In an earlier time, being cosmopolitan was practically the exclusive domain of the privileged and intellectual. Now, it is possible to acquire/learn it.
To be cosmopolitan is the ability to effortlessly move between various “polis” (Latin for “city”). For me, that requires more than physical sophistication. It is also important to be street smart, knowing how “not to look like a tourist”, deftly picking up useful phrases of the local tongue, and the appreciation for similarities and differences in day-to-day life everywhere. “International understanding” expands ones horizons, just as Kylie Verzosa said.
She’s so lovely!