For Keylyn Trajano, the challenge of Miss Grand International All Stars lies in defining what the pageant is truly looking for, since it’s a new platform still evolving.
Keylyn shared her thoughts in an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the press on May 15, 2025, during her send-off party for the first-ever Miss Grand International All-Stars held at Pandan Asian Café in Quezon City.
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This is why Keylyn emphasized embracing the journey, staying present, and allowing oneself to grow and be shaped by the experience.
She said: "The challenge is to... what are we looking for? You know, finding the mold, finding the right person.
"Who are they looking for? What is this new platform and how are we gonna evolve? How are we gonna evolve towards this?
"And actually, that's the exciting part of it, di ba, 'cause it's the anticipation part of it.
"And, you know, it's just living in the present. For me, yun ang nakikita ko."
Keylyn added: "Just live in the present and see how you are gonna work and be molded through this journey as, like, how life molds people and finding where you belong, finding what's for you, finding your path.
"This is a new and an inaugural pageant, which is looking for, you know, a strong leader, queens of queens, 'cause this is an All Star."
For Keylyn, the winner should be a strong, well-rounded leader who brings something new, builds on past achievements, and has the strength, stamina, and longevity to evolve with the organization.
"So, I guess this person has to top how they have done before, offer something new to the table and just, you know, work with the organization and how they're gonna evolve.
"Kasi, the winner has to come back again for the second edition.
"So, I guess it's all about, you know, that strength, that stamina, longevity."
This uncertain and evolving nature of the pageant is also why Keylyn admitted she is entering the competition without a fixed strategy.
Instead, she plans to adapt as the journey unfolds.
She said: "It's the first of its kind and maybe also the organization is, you know, working towards it day by day.
"Kasi, again, if it's the inaugural of everything, even a brand, when you're just a startup brand, you're gonna launch something and you don't know if it's gonna work or not, and you need to find what the niché market is looking for, what your audience is looking for.
"And with a lot of, like, saturated pageants right now with the big four, with the minors and whatever they kinda call a hierarchy of pageantry, you know, you don't know what this is.
"Is it gonna be elevated higher than Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss World, or Miss Earth? Or it's gonna be in a different demograph?
"So, I think the organization and us are gonna grow together and see where we fit or where... where we will stand in the world of pageantry.
"And from there, once you see the crowned winner, then we will all identify what is this."
KEYLYN TRAJANO: BEING AN UNDERDOG
Keylyn is one of five Filipinas set to compete in the first-ever Miss Grand International All Stars pageant.
Joining her in representing the Philippines are Fuschia Anne Ravena, winner of Miss International Queen 2022; Gazini Ganados, who placed in the Top 20 of Miss Universe 2019; Imelda Schweighart, Miss Philippines Earth 2016; and Alexia Núñez, winner of Noble Queen of the Universe 2025.
With five Filipinas vying for the crown, Keylyn acknowledged that support from Filipino fans may be divided. Despite this, she maintains a good relationship with her fellow candidates, even as her competitive spirit remains strong.
She also openly recognized the strengths of each of her compatriots: "Depende kasi yun sa tao. Ako naman, I will be honest with myself. I'm competitive. Pero kasi, in this situation, you have to have a fact check.
"So, my fact check is I'm not the most popular, I'm not the most known, that did something great in pageantry. I didn't leave a lasting legacy before in pageantry.
"And I have to accept that. I think the moment that you start to accept your flaws, your strengths and your weaknesses, then you will know where you would seem to fit in that caliber.
"I know Gazini is a fan favorite. Fuschia won. We have Imelda, who actually is controversial but still has a demograph with Gen Z, and we have to appreciate that."
Compared to her fellow Philippine representatives, Keylyn considers herself an underdog—but one she sees as an advantage rather than a setback.
Keylyn shared: "I am actually just swerving by, and I think that's so good being an underdog.
"Kasi when you're an underdog, you don't, they don't know what to expect from me.
"I have a clean slate and it's my prerogative if I'm gonna do something that would, you know, elevate the standards or put a different level of standards.
"So, for me, it's an advantage more than a weakness."
KEYLYN TRAJANO: MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL ALL-STARS
Of course, PEP also asked Keylyn about her preparations for the pageant. She shared that she took pasarela and Q&A workshops, while also preparing an extensive lineup of fashion looks.
She revealed some of the designers she is collaborating with throughout her pageant journey.
"I have the top designers as I could, like, be, be prideful about it.
"I am wearing Daniel Manila for just a day. I am wearing a Manny Halasan piece for just a day. I am wearing Louis Pangilinan for a couple of days.
"I am wearing Rian Fernandez in my coronation day, finals gown. I am wearing Luigi Cabalin in some days as my stylist and designer. I'm wearing Ditta Sandico in some days...
"I'm wearing Ting Joco, EJ, these up-and-coming designers because I said I wanted to not just work with the big ones, but I also want to give opportunity to the new ones so that they will be able to have a spot. Di ba?
"Again, I'm working with creatives. All creatives deserves a chance and deserve a spot, like, how I got my chance, as I'm a new, you know, and still a newbie in this, you know, industry."
Beyond preparation, Keylyn also underscored the importance of maintaining balance and removing pressure throughout the competition.
"Remove the pressure. Definitely remove the pressure, breathe, rest, sleep, you know.
"If you needed a moment to sit back, talk to a friend or just, you know, cancel out, like, your social battery is, like, just reducing, take time to, to relax, di ba?
"Take time just to rest. Take time to sleep. Close your eyes. Meditate. And then go back again.
"Keep on trying because, you know, I came into this competition with no regrets and full on energy.
"Not even a hundred percent. I keep on saying a thousand, ten thousand, hundred percent, because I want this and I wanna work.
"This is how I see myself working for the next years to come, to work with organizations, to be a beauty queen, crown or without the crown, just working in that organization.
"So just learn to give yourself some grace, be grateful for yourself and the people around you, and think of the positive things despite the negativity."
For Keylyn, winning isn’t the only goal—she sees the pageant as part of a bigger journey.
"And if I don't win, there's also a new chapter in my life beyond that, which is to look for a spot in the organization's inside to make sure that they grow with me and not end it just after the organization has ended."
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