After giving an exclusive interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), former Bb. Pilipinas-World 2008 Janina San Miguel made her first public appearance on Showbiz Central last Sunday, December 14. (Click here to read related article.)

This was her first TV interview after she decided to pass on the crown to first runner-up Danielle Castaño, who represented the country in the recently-concluded Miss World beauty pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa. Danielle failed in her bid to win the elusive Miss World title, which was won by Miss Russia.

Janina reiterated that she chose to give up the coveted beauty title because of the death of her grandfather.

"Untimely nga po, e, kasi po hanggang ngayon, masakit pa rin po sa akin ang pagkamatay ng lolo ko," said Janina to host Pia Guanio. 

She explained, "Kasi ho, simula bata pa ako, sila po ang parang nag-aalaga sa akin, sila 'yong gumagabay sa akin—na ako ganito, ganyan, huwag kang magiging masamang impluwensiya, parang ganun. As in pinalaki nila ako nang maayos na maayos kaya masakit sa akin ang pagkamatay ng mahal ko talaga."

Pia then asked her why she decided to quit when she still had almost two months to prepare for the competition.

Janina, trying to veer away from the topic, said, "Bukod po doon, mayroon pa pong mga personal na reasons. Hindi ko po kasi puwedeng sabihin sa media."

The 18-year-old former beauty titleholder took this opportunity to defend herself from the intrigues that came out after her unexpected resignation. 

First, she contradicted reports that she was unprofessional during the trainings. 

Janina said, "Actually, ang mga trainings po namin is from Quezon City to Makati, so 15 minutes pa lang. Dahil gustung-gusto ko po talagang mag-training, ang ginagawa ko, sumasakay na lang po ako ng MRT. Beauty queen ka, sasakay ka ng MRT? Taxi, bus, lahat po sinasakyan namin para lang maka-attend kami sa training. Tapos sasabihin pa, iintriga pang ganyan? Ang sakit po no'n."

How about the issue that she got pregnant?

She smiled and said, "Paano po 'yon mangyayari, e, wala pa nga po akong boyfriend? Talagang ang sakit sa family ko no'n kasi kilala nila ako, e."

Despite losing the title, Janina said that she did not regret her decision.  "Kasi po, kung papipiliin ako between family and pageant na 'yon, family." 

She narrated one incident during the last days of her grandfather.