Sissel Ria Rabajante is now a full-fledged FA of PAL
Watch out for Ria in one of your future PAL flights. Who knows, you might catch her along the aisles with that sweet and engaging smile of hers.
Best of luck in your new career, Ria! š
Fly with PAL and you might catch Ria in one of them
Binibini 39 Ria Rabajante answers my Lenten Q&A
Get to know her mindworks better now.
1) Do beauty pageants and religion make a good mix?Explain your answer.
“The very first pageant is in the scripture, the story of Queen Esther. Pageant is about the Lord’s exaltation to someone destined for a higher position to influence people and touch their lives for His’ greater glory. Esther glorified God and not herself, that’s why she was chosen.”2) How spiritual are you as a Binibini?
“I’m flawed and sinful, but I’ve been forgiven when Jesus died on the cross for me, so I’d say I’m a work in progress. I can only hope I could be spiritual enough and obedient to Him enough as a candidate.”3) What is the most selfless act that you have made to another person or group of persons outside your family?
“I find it selfless when I give time to LISTEN, to hear people out and UNDERSTAND them. We live in a world so noisy and opinionated, and to me that could be selfish at some point. I feel selfless when I deliberately listen and offer a prayer for someone.”4) Would you go for a Binibini who is religious with a lot of restrictions or someone who is liberal and with a come-what-may attitude in life?
“I never consider myself religious, I call mine a relationship with Christ. It’s one thing to be knowledgable about Him and do religious traditions, it’s another thing to experience Him, and begin to live a life towards His’ will not because I’m good but cause He’s been good and faithful. I wouldn’t go for come-what-may, I’d go for what convicted me to be true, Biblical, and even experiential. If we can’t stand for something, we’ll fall for anything. I would want to be known to be someone who doesn’t please the world, but pleases and stands for only One. And do it all in LOVE.”
I have always seen Ria as a faith-centered person. Her spiritual convictions are steadfast. And such personal choices show in the way she navigates her decisions in life.
How are you seeing her, dear readers? š
Ria during the PCMC event with the kid patient assigned to her
Binibini 39 Ria Rabajante: “I wouldn’t have it any other way…”
Truth be told, it was a big risk for her to plunge into pageant action once more. But she was willing to take up to the challenge. After having moved from her original R-L’s Angels to Aces & Queens, she reinforced herself with a newfound confidence that went with her deep-seated desire to win and become a national titleholder. And she didn’t even bother looking at other competitions. It’s only going to be Bb. Pilipinas for her.
Read Ria’s personal account now and get to know more about how she is looking at her 2016 stint in the nationals.
It was very heart-breaking when I didn’t make it to the official 40. I cried a river, got the cliche messages from my family telling me that there’s an even better opportunity coming, supporters were shocked, again it was very painful but I had to accept it. That week really humbled me and made me surrender my dream of becoming Miss Universe, until exactly a week after the screening, I got a callback from BPCI, I’m in again. I thought the Lord was very tricky, I didn’t see that coming. Right now, I can say it was all meant to happen. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Success begins at the pit, not at the pedestal. I’ve already endured so much pain caused by my dream and to be given a chance to pursue it again made me really delighted and grateful. You have no idea how happy I was that day when BPCI contacted me! This year, it’s more relaxed than the rest of the years I’ve had. 2013, I was full of fears. 2014, I took a rest. 2015, I was overly competitive and calculative. I think my journey this year is just right. The common denominator of it all is the desire that is never ceasing. My eyes are on it, on the crown, I want a back to back win for my country, I want to make an impact to the society, and I’m serious and excited about this. But I’ve learned to surrender for exaltation doesn’t come from me, it comes from someone bigger than me. Someone who knows when I’m ready. That doesn’t mean I’m slacking off, I’ve been trying to do things my way for the longest time, now I do what I can do in the physical realm and leave the rest up to Him. Whatever happens, I sincerely hope I’d be ready. Greater things are yet to come, there’s no other way but up! Xoxo.
Ria in Martin Bautista
Ria at Gold’s Gym Acropolis during the Primer shoot
BTS shots of Binibinis Roshiela Tobias, Nicole Cordoves, Maria Gigante, Angelica Alita, Jehza Huelar and Angelique de Leon during their web interviews
The videos should be up soon. By then, you will get a better feel of the candidates and the way they express themselves spontaneously. I always look for Binibinis who can think on their feet (or while sitting if you will). I never hid my preference for fluid speakers. Binibini 11 Nicole Cordoves is like that, but I expect to see a whole lot more! š
More Binibini BTS shots during the web interview shoot
These five ladies are the ones who were selected to replace the five (5) of the forty (40) originally-chosen Official Candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2016 but were disqualified mainly due to height concerns.
They are:
Binibini 6 Candy Del Castillo (JDV) who was previously blogged as the charming private school teacher from Bocaue, Bulacan.
Binibini 8 Karen Ibasco (KF) who has a Masteral degree in Applied Physics (Cum laude) and once worked as a Medical Physicist at the St. Luke’s Medical Center.
Binibini 24 Niza Sabrina Sophia Limjap from Bacolod (Independent) who once hosted a morning TV show in her home province and was previously connected with the fashion merchandising team of Rustan’s Department Store.
Binibini 34 Sarah Christine Bona (KF) from Iriga City in the Bicol Region who was 2nd Runner-Up of Miss Bicolandia 2012 and holder of a string of regional beauty titles to her name.
And then there is Binibini 39 Sissel Ria Rabajante (A&Q). Need I say more about this beautiful lady?
Candy, Karen, Niza, Sarah and Ria are the replacement Binibinis for Daziella Gange, Marlann Flores, Tatiana Maher, Aniger Wiji Cruz and Loren Artajos.
Clockwise from big center: Angelique de Leon, Aiza Faeldonia, Kylie Verzosa, Nichole Manalo and Ria Rabajante
Take note of these baseline vids now so you can compare the changes once you see and watch their new and improved versions soon. š
Angelique Celine de Leon
Aiza Faeldonia
Nichole Manalo
Kylie Verzosa
Ria Rabajante
Ria Rabajante during her second and latest Bb. Pilipinas attempt
Ria really wants to give it a third try. She is quite firm about this more than anything else. And proof positive that she is serious is the latest development (as relayed to me by someone close to her) that she has decided to switch camps in an effort to see how she can be transformed by new handlers. A much better version, if you will. From R-L’s Angels, she is now reportedly deep in training with one of the two leading groups.
I am very keen in finding out how Ria will be packaged differently. This girl has got the brains, charm and poise to nail a crown. Who knows, 3rd time could be a charm for her. And Bb. Pilipinas 2016 will be her make-or-break turn.
Good luck, Ria! š
Ria Rabajante during one of the Bb. Pilipinas TV guestings
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