Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados is not rushing her preparations for the Miss Universe pageant.
There is no announcement yet which country will host the pageant's 68th edition, although reportedly it may be held in South Korea. Without confirmation from the Miss Universe Organization, other countries, including the Philippines, are said to be bidding to host Miss Universe 2019.
The international beauty pageant is held in December over a two-week period, and with the onset of the "ber" months, Gazini admits to feeling a little bit of pressure.
She told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), "Actually, it's almost crunch time, but then what I'm trying to do right now is adapt to it.
"I'm taking every day as a learning opportunity to do my hair, my make-up, just like today.
"Or like choose the dress I'm wearing for the day or the events that I'm going to."
The beauty queen said she has been busy attending events and doing charity projects in the past few months after winning the Miss Universe Philippines title last March.
Asked when she's officially starting her training, she said, "That I don't know yet, because my schedules are not fixed yet. Some days are so full like today, I had two events."
Nonetheless, Gazini expressed her excitement to go back to pageant training with her mentors at Kagandahang Flores (KF), a beauty pageant camp in the country.
Gazini continued, "In the near future, I'm looking forward to training with KF, Miss Universe Organization, and there are several people who helped me during Binibining Pilipinas and are still helping me now."
Gazini also took the course LIFO® Method of ACG Human Capital Solutions.
She said it "helps individuals, teams, and organizations improve communication skills, productivity, and results by working more effectively together."
Gazini finished the course and received her certificate last August 8.
In an Instagram post last August 9, she wrote, "Yesterday, I completed the LIFO® Method Certification Program, a program that centers on encouraging the full use of our own strengths.
"This certification course allowed me to know more about myself, understand my thoughts and feelings, recognize my blind-spots, and elevate my game plan.
"Thank you, ACG Human Capital Solutions for the learnings! And, I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to promote the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations to help address global challenges including those related to Poverty, Inequality, Climate, Environmental Degradation, Prosperity, and Peace and Justice.
"Thank you Miss @gembzee for capitalizing the beauty within."
FOCUSING ON CHARITY PROJECTS
Among the charity projects that have so far kept her busy: raise HIV/AIDS awareness, promote children's welfare and elderly care.
On August 8, Gazini and the other Binibining Pilipinas queens visited the kids at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.
The beauty queen shared her experience on Instagram and wrote, "Earlier, I was hoping to bring smiles to these kids but things went quite differently as it was them who brought us the smiles.
"I met Ashley, a little fighter with an empowering story, who’s undergoing dialysis. She gave me this beautiful artwork (my name on a heart with the colors of the Philippine flag). Such a strong girl.
"You can help a kid too. For donations, you may visit PCMC or contact them in their landline."
Gazini also visited the senior citizens at Luwalhati ng Maynila home for the aged in Marikina City in line with her advocacy for elderly care.
She told PEP.ph, "Just recently, I went to Luwalhati ng Maynila and I'm very honored to be part of their causes and we're now working on something bigger.
"And also, I might be seeing Mayor Isko [Moreno]...one of these days so I'm looking forward to it."
PEP.ph spoke to Gazini during the Bench Fashion Week Holiday 2019 on its second day last August 31, at the Bench Tower, Bonifacio Global City.