Sushmita Sen’s winning answer on the essence of being a woman at the Miss Universe 1994 pageant continues to resonate to this day.
The Indian beauty queen’s words captured the very core of what it means to be a woman and what is her vital role in the world.
Beyond being a vessel of life, an integral part of a woman’s nature is showing “what sharing, caring, and loving is all about.”
This rings true for Brazilian beauty queen Priscilla Meirelles.
Crowned Miss Earth 2004 in the Philippines, Priscilla has since established a career and built a life in the country.
She found love, got married, had a daughter, experienced heartbreak, picked herself up, and continues to thrive.
Now, Priscilla has taken back her power, continues to inspire fellow women, and is intent on setting a good example for her teenage daughter.
In a recent exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Priscilla opened up about her relationship with her daughter and what being a mother and a woman mean.
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PRISCILLA MEIRELLES'S LESSONS FROM MOTHERHOOD
Generally, there is nothing a mother wouldn’t do for her child.
But Priscilla does not agree with the idea of “sacrifice” when asked what she has given up for her daughter, Anechka, 14.
“I didn't really call it a sacrifice because it was out of love,” she explained.
“But when I first became a mom, I made sure that my attention was like 99.9% on her. I didn't wanna miss anything. Like, for the time that [she] burps, she coos."
She quipped, “The other 0.1% is because I need to go to the toilet, I need to take a shower...”
The Latina beauty queen said she wanted to be present to witness her daughter’s milestones.
Admittedly, during that period in her life, she “did let go of myself for a while.”
But in hindsight, Priscilla had no regrets, “especially the very first years of growing up, like one to six, seven years old. I was really super there [for my daughter].”
When Anechka got a little older, Priscilla needed to take a step back to give her daughter some independence.
She also returned to work and realized that she could no longer give her 100 percent all the time, no matter how much she wanted to.
“Like how I said, it didn't feel like a sacrifice because that's the only time that I have to do that. And once that time is gone, it's gone. You can never go back.
“Once your kids grow, they, they grow. And then whatever you missed, you missed. You can never go back on time and try to make up no matter how hard you try. You can never make up for time that was lost."
The memories she made while her daughter was growing up, she will always cherish.
“And that's what's gonna bond us forever because the time that I spend with her is that what build our relationship. It's a foundation for our relationship now.
“I know that our connection will always be there because of the time that I ‘sacrificed’ to be with her, to see her grow.”
Read: Yasmien Kurdi recalls being a girl who refused to be bullied: "Palaban talaga ako."
WHAT PRISCILLA IS WILLING TO SACRIFICE FOR ANECHKA
It was an easy answer for Priscilla when asked what she is willing to give up for Anechka.
“I would give up what I did, like my career, you know? Even time for myself at that time, because spending time with her was, for me, the most important thing to do.
“And I would definitely give up my health for my daughter. I think there is no mom that wouldn't give up their health.”
She cited a familiar scenario—one often heard from mothers—when their young children fall ill.
“Whenever she feels sick or she doesn't feel well, I always pray to the Lord, ‘Lord, give it to me. I can handle, and let her feel well again.’ You know, whatever it is she has, just give it to me, I can handle.' So that's always my prayer.
“I think there is nothing that I wouldn't be willing to sacrifice for my child.”
ON STUDIES, BOYS, PLAY
Although her love for her daughter is unconditional, Priscilla shared that she also believes in tough love.
Like many parents, she can be strict at times, especially in certain areas of Anechka’s life.
“I'm a very fun mom to be with, but I'm very strict, actually,” she explained.
“I think you can be fun and still be strict. I try to balance it.”
She has been strict about the rules she set because, “I think rules are very important to structure the right way…”
Anechka’s studies—including her homework, exams, tests, and extracurricular activities—have to be prioritized.
How about the use of gadgets and screen time?
“She’s really not allowed to use social media. She's not allowed to watch YouTube content that's not appropriate for her age, even games…
“Even when it comes to the weekend, she's not allowed to have access to anything that's not age-appropriate.”
On the topic of boys, Priscilla makes a conscious effort to have regular conversations with Anechka.
“And we set a rule…” she stopped mid-sentence and proceeded to say, “Well, I set the rule that she can start to date when she's in 40s.”
Priscilla laughed, then in a more serious tone, she added, “I’m always talking to her and say, ‘You know what, my love, there is time for everything.’”
Perfect timing has always been part of her reminders to Anechka.
“Since she was very small, and I first introduced the first gadget, even the toys, and even the time to eat, to sleep, to shower, I'd always tell her when she wants to go over, to exceed the time limit, ‘My love, in life there is time for everything. There is time for play, there is time for sleep.’
“So the same thing applies for now when we talk about boys.
“I always tell her, ‘You know what, my love, you're beautiful, you're so intelligent, smart, talented, you know, don't worry about that. The right time will come and the right boys will come. Right now, just let them be. Just focus in what mattersbecause there is perfect time for everything…’”
Also part of Priscilla's parenting is constant communication.
“I always make sure that I communicate with her, you know, daily, constantly, so that I know what's going on in her head.
“So I somehow guide her mind process, the way she process things… so that she prioritizes the right things.”
For now, Priscilla is confident that romance is still something far from Anechka’s concerns.
“She has a lot of wisdom even though she's so young, but she's still a kid. She's still a kid at heart, she acts like a kid.”
Also, communication between her and her daughter is a two-way process.
“I always listen to her," said Priscilla.
"And I actually always empower her to say what she thinks and to speak her mind. Of course, in a very polite way and proper way, especially if she's speaking with me.
“I always try to, you know, understand where she's coming from, to help to process things with her.”
Having said this, Priscilla also made it clear that she draws the line on the extent to which her daughter can express herself.
She always tells her daughter that she understands her, but also reminds her that there are times when she must decide what is best for Anechka.
“And she respects that… and I think the fact that she respects that... Because she sees that when that's not the case, I let her be.
"So I give her the space that she needs to grow, to learn, to be herself."
WHAT MOTHERHOOD HAS TAUGHT PRISCILLA
For Priscilla, motherhood is more than a role; it is the very reason for her existence.
“I always dreamed of becoming a mom, more than anything.
“And it means a lot because it means that I was able to fulfill a huge part of what I believe to be my mission in life: that's to bring up another human being and try to make her as kind, as in touch, and a good influence to others as possible."
It is not only about giving birth and raising a child; it is about making sure she grows up to be good.
“So I think that good mothers are what the world need nowadays, because when you bring your kids the right way, you definitely guarantee a better world in the future.”
Asked what she is most proud of as a mother, Priscilla easily answered: "She's turning out to be such a beautiful lady: inside and out.
“That speaks volume in a world where people are so mean, they're so unkind, and it's really hard to keep your essence and your goodness…
"So, the fact that she's such a beautiful lady inside and out; she's so kind to everyone; she's so positive; she's like really the light of the party, always make me very proud as a mom.
“I'm very proud of her."
THE ESSENCE OF BEING PRISCILLA
The past couple of years have been challenging for Priscilla, primarily because her marriage to John Estrada made headlines after it ended.
In a separate interview, Priscilla revealed that she and John have been separated for two years now and have been legally separated for a year. Although they are co-parenting on Anechka.
Initially, the split, in her own words, “paralyzed” her, but she eventually found her center.
She started living the way she wanted and now recognizes the woman staring back at her every time she looks in the mirror.
Aside from being a beauty queen titleholder, Priscilla wears many hats.
While primarily a mom, she is also the producer and host of her podcast on her YouTube channel. She is also an environmentalist and an actress.
She has moved on and found her own footing.
“As a woman, I would say that I'm very proud of what I achieved in life,” she told PEP.
“Since a very young age, I was always very independent. Even before my 20s, I already earned my own salary, I already buy my own things. I always try to show independence.
“And by the age of 18, I already have a car that I bought with my own money, and I already financed a condominium unit where I planned to live in.
“So I'm very proud of the things that I achieve when I set my mind to it.
“That went for everything, from having a family; from having a kid; and even right now from establishing myself in the Philippines.
“I'm very proud that despite of the difficulties, the language barrier, the distance between me and my family, which makes it a lot harder, but I was able to build a system around me of people that I know that cheer for me, that love me, and that support me."
Slowly, things are falling into place.
“I'm really looking forward to the future and to the things that I will be, like, enjoying after all the storm.”