Was it the final Q&A delivered in Spanish that convinced the judges to crown a Filipina last 2016 as Miss United Continents or Miss Continentes Unidos? Or did Jeslyn Santos present herself most consistently all throughout the competition? I believe it was destiny and all of the above. To actually participate in a Latina-dominated pageant in Guayaquil, Ecuador can already pose a big challenge for any Miss Filipinas. But just like Teresita Ssen Marquez who proved unstoppable in Bolivia on her way to the Reina Hispanoamericana title a year after, this lovely Bulakenya defied all odds and rose to the occasion to become the first Filipina winner of the title. Below are highlights of her performance in the finals.
Jeslyn paid her pageant dues with much hardwork and patience from the very first time that mentor John dela Vega started fielding her in Bb. Pilipinas. They also joined forces for the country’s participation in Miss World Peace 2015 held in Hong Kong. And unbeknownst to the two of them, it would still be their unbreakable duo that will pave the way for the trip to Ecuador for the international pageant. Miss United Continents is one pageant franchise that the latter firmly held on through the years.
What a glorious achievement indeed for this lady whose roots are from the same municipality your blogger comes from – Hagonoy.
Jeslyn flanked by her mentor John dela Vega (left) and now Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando
The Philippines did not participate during the first and second stagings of Miss Supranational. It was only during the third outing when a Filipina representative – Lourenz Grace Remetillo – was part of the roster, albeit with less funfare or media mileage. But when BPCI started to field delegates in 2012, the blossoming partnership began with Elaine Kay Moll placing 3rd Runner-Up. It got even better the following year when Mutya Datul was crowned winner. From there, all the Bb. Pilipinas Supranational titleholders went to Central/Eastern Europe and placed either in the Top 10 or Top 20/25 in alternating fashion – from 2014 to 2019. Quite a respectable record, I must add.
The Philippines’ relationship with Miss Grand International can be compared to a “love-hate” affair of sorts. We all know that its first two editions were still under John dela Vega who was able to prepare Ali Forbes all the way to a very good finish during the inaugural edition. It was only in 2015 when BPCI sent its first appointed delegate in the person of Parul Shah who placed 3rd Runner-Up. That started Top 5 placements that would stretch to 2016 with Nicole Cordoves getting 1st Runner-Up and 2017 when Elizabeth Clenci sustained a 2nd Runner-Up finish. After that, something turned sweetly sour. In the process, the missions of both Eva Psychee Patalinjug and Samantha Ashley Lo can be considered fleeting to say the least. But to be fair, our participation last year was saddled with a number of controversies that cannot be directly blamed to pageant owner Nawatt Itsiragrisil. 
In this blog entry are departure photos of Miss United Continents Philippines Jerelleen Rodriguez who will represent the country in this year’s edition of Miss United Continents in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
This is the moment that Sarah Jireh Cruz Asido of Bulacan has been looking forward to for the longest – the opportunity to represent the country in the international pageant stage. And as Jewel of the Philippines | Miss United Continents Philippines 2018, she will be departing on September 7 for Guayaquil, Ecuador where this year’s edition of Miss United Continents will be hosted from September 8-22.
Everything is all set for Sarah as her mentor John dela Vega has painstakingly built her daily wardrobe and accessories and trained her in pasarela plus Miguel West who guided her on how to get away with the best amount of conversational Spanish that will serve the purpose of impressing the hosts, fellow delegates and the locals.
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