Angelica Lopez is feeling nothing but gratitude as she continues to receive overwhelming support from pageant fans in her return to the national pageant stage.
After winning the Bb. Pilipinas International 2023 title and representing the Philippines at Miss International 2024, Angelica is back in competition, this time representing Palawan in the inaugural Reina Filipinas pageant.
ANGELICA LOPEZ EXPLAINS VIRAL GRAND REVEAL OUTFIT
The beauty queen recently became a trending topic among pageant followers after unveiling her unconventional outfit during the Reina Filipinas Grand Reveal and sashing ceremony held on July 13, 2026, at the Crystal Palace of Aquila in the Sky Events Venue in Silang, Cavite.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during a sponsor visit at Beauty Project Aesthetic and Wellness Center and Dandy Glow in Mandaluyong City on July 27, 2026, Angelica shares how amused she was by the public's reaction to her now-viral look.
She tells PEP.ph: "Alam mo, ang daming nagsasabi... sabi nila, 'Ano ba yun? Cocoon ba yun? Ano yun? Cocoa? Ano yun?'
"Tapos pineapple. Actually, it's... yung concept niya it's about the Greek mythology goddess Thalassa.
"So Thalassa is the goddess of the sea, and since I'm from Palawan, we relate it and connect it to my province.
"So it's not about ano... pineapple. Yung iba sabi... bahay. Sabi nila, 'Bakit ka nagdala ng bahay?'
"Tapos yung iba nagdyo-joke pa. Sabi nila, kasi ano, tawag dito may usok sa loob. Sabi nila, 'May kapre ba diyan sa loob?'"
ANGELICA ON HANDLING THE PRESSURE
Despite the attention surrounding her comeback, Angelica admits that there is pressure on her shoulders as she competes in Reina Filipinas, especially since she has already held a national title.
For the Palawan representative, however, it is the kind of pressure that motivates her to perform better.
She says: "Of course, there's always pressure, but I would say it's a good pressure, and I always remind myself not to stay complacent even though I already won a title before in Binibining Pilipinas.
"Kasi, at the end of the day, it is still a competition, di ba? And it's a different pageant with different purpose and advocacy.
"And, yeah, so now, even though I feel pressured, of course, but it's more of a good pressure."
More than feeling pressured, Angelica says she is simply enjoying every moment of her Reina Filipinas journey.
She shares: "I'm just really enjoying every moment kasi yung Reina Filipinas and Miss Grand, it's about authenticity.
"So regardless of who you are as a woman, as a candidate, kahit na baliw-baliwan ka dito, di ba, kahit na introvert ka, you will be... or you will feel accepted. Yes."
ANGELICA LOPEZ: LEARNING BEYOND BEAUTY PAGEANTS
With the Reina Filipinas 2026 grand coronation night set for August 7, 2026, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Angelica shares that she is now putting the finishing touches on her preparations.
According to the beauty queen, she continues to work on all aspects of competition, from runway training to personality development.
However, one of the things she appreciates most about the Miss Grand International franchise is its emphasis on business.
She explains: "It's going well, actually. So of course, lahat tini-tick natin yung boxes, pasarela, Q&A, personality development, and of course, yung business side of it as well.
"So I'm actually very happy and excited because in this journey, I'm learning so many things about how to be a good businesswoman...
"And it's more of the communication skills and how you can properly convince and persuade people to buy the product, to sell not only yourself, but also the brand."
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