Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidate Ivanna Kamil Pacis of Makati City wants her advocacy to be wide-reaching and not just localized. Thus, she believes that zeroing in on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Awareness is something that is citizen-blind. It can affect anyone regardless of age or disposition especially in the middle of the COVID19 crisis and ECQ that has enveloped the country like a hurricane.

Ivanna believes that every Filipino home should be well informed about how they can help and reach out to their family members or friends who silently battle with depression. She also pushes for the breaking of the stigma in the Philippines associated with regular consultation or check up with a psychiatrist. It should be normalized and be a less of a subject of societal scrutiny. She has also been proactive in using her social media platform to inform people about the importance of taking care of one’s mental health during this pandemic.

Meanwhile, Ivanna partnered with a nationwide digital fundraising campaign that aims to assist youth-led organizations in giving aids to 20 Mindanaoan communities affected by our current crisis which is Kapit Mindanao. She may not be from there but the more important thing is that nobody is left behind – thus, the official hashtag #BawatSulok.

With regards to preparations for Miss Universe Philippines, Ivanna has been working out everyday and trying to get back in shape. Discipline is key, and one that she tries to instill in her system the best way that she could.