Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidate Jo-Ann D. Flores of Laguna used to be part of regional pageantry several years back. And she is back with a bang with the national pageant – more mature, more confident and with a clearer direction in life,

“To be honest, I’m still working on my advocacy. During the past years, I was focused on building my professional career and be able to help my family. This is my comeback in the pageant scene after almost 6 years. The last one was in 2014 for Binibining Laguna. But this advocacy is also the very reason why I decided to try again and do pageants and I myself also want to find and create my own way of giving back / advocacy. It will be my life advocacy, something I’ll be doing in the long run so I’m really trying to figure it out well.”

In general, Jo-Ann is passionate about education and equal opportunities. Growing up with a family with on-and-off means for livelihood, she experienced having less to none of the material privileges others enjoyed . At any rate, her parents instilled the value of education on top of everything. The rest is history in becoming an academic achiever. Right after graduation, she worked in a hotel (Green Sun Hotel). Even at a young age and a woman at that, she was given the opportunity to excel and become a leader – from manager to director. Learning and education is continuous and it did not stop after college. She has been to different workshops and training to improve herself professionally and as an individual. As a result, she was transformed from being a trainer to a mentor and adviser to her subordinates and colleagues.

Jo-Ann wants to share this story and inspire young women that they can be what they want to be if they pursue education and higher studies and be given equal opportunities along the way.

“This quarantine, regretfully, I have not taken part in any initiative or donation drive. But I keep myself updated with the current events and updates about the pandemic. I’ve shared a couple of infos and donation drives for some organizations and causes and made some monetary donation.

One time, I prepared also food for 170 police officers and prisoners (who were also affected by the crisis) before. Nothing too big but I’m doing simple acts within my capacities. My parents and sister are frontliners so I have to spend more time at home to take care of my siblings and run errands for us.”

Jo-Ann believes that advocacies should be heartfelt and authentic. She wants to make sure that commitment is given to that one cause she is truly passionate about.