Binibining International 2023 is Angelica Lopez, a 22-year-old model from Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
She grew up in a simple family of four, and was proud of her humble roots.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal)'s deputy lifestyle editor Nikko Tuazon had the chance to interview her in 2022, the year she joined Miss Universe Philippines 2022.
Angelica then revealed that helping the poor has become her personal mission in life.
"It's really close to my heart because I have experienced hunger before and even poverty. Yeah, I myself have experienced that."
In her Labor Day post on Instagram last May 1, 2023, she gave a shout-out to her grandpa and dad.
Part of her caption read: "...we honor everyone who has put in a lot of effort to advance the working conditions towards bettering our nation.
"We appreciate your tenacity, labor, and commitment to your families.
"I'd want to dedicate this post to my Lolo and my Papa as well, whom I really miss and love. I want to express my gratitude to both of you for serving as the cornerstone of our family. You really motivate me every single day!"
Angelica said she got her "toughness" from her dad.
Meanwhile, in her bio on the Bb. Pilipinas website, she mentioned her mom, who passed away four years ago, as one of her role models.
The beauty queen said in the same PEP.ph interview, "I grew up in a very simple family, and we don't have that, you know, enough resources to sustain our life.
"So my parents really need to work hard just to provide for me and my sister."
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Here are five things worth knowing about the newly-crowned binibini:
1. ANGELICA IS A CERTIFIED RAKETERA.
She decided to join pageants at an early age to earn money and help her parents with their expenses.
"I was able to become independent as well. I used pageantry as an avenue to support myself, to earn money, to support my sister and as well as my mother."
2. ANGELICA STARTED HER MODELING CAREER AT AGE 14.
In her social-media posts, she would never fail to thanks Elitista Circle of Models, which is based in Pueto Princesa.
"I've been part of that team ever since I was 14 years old. I'm beyond grateful kasi I know na without their help, I wouldn't be in this position.
"And, you know, they have molded me into the person that I am today.
"I owe it to them. Every effort and time they're giving to me in this journey.
"So I really hope na I can pay back at the end of the day, all of their hard work and sacrifices."
Her entry to national pageants began in 2022 when she joined Miss Universe Philippines.
At the time, she focused on improving her "communication skills and my pasarela" and "maintaining my mental and emotional aspect."
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3. ANGELICA'S TALENTS
This Psychology sophomore sings well, taking after her dad, who is a musician.
During the talent portion, she dids her own version of "This Is Me," a popular song from the 2017 movie The Greatest Showman.
This aspiring artist also loves watching documentary series and reading inspirational books.
4. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE ANGELICA: "RESILIENT"
The young lady has been through a lot.
But whenever she's down, she's able to rise above any challenge.
She lost her mom, her dad has his own family, but, she said, "...you know what? It's still okay. It's fine. I have moved on from that kind of situation."
Angelica continued, "I have experienced a lot, actually, but that's also the reason why I consider myself as someone who's resilient.
"Because with those experiences, I learned to stand up on my own and build myself, regardless of the struggles and experiences I've had in the past.
"And what I wish is to further inspire other people, to share my story.
"Because I know, one day, I could also build a better life for them if I will able to share my story to them and how I was able to overcome the challenges I have experienced."
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5. ANGELICA'S ADVOCACY: HELPING LESS-FORTUNATE CHILDREN
According to her bio on the website of Bb. Pilipinas, she has been consistent about her "pursuit of inspiring, empowering, and educating the less-fortunate children to be resilient and limitless amidst life challenges."
Over the past few years, the Palaweña has been spearheading feeding programs and gift-giving activities in her home province.
A candidate of Miss Universe Philippines 2023, she revealed the rationale behind her passion projects.
"Actually, I am focusing about less-fortunate children because I have an organization in my city.
"I am actually one of the core leaders of that organization. It is a youth organization.
"Over the years, I've been participating [in] that organization, to feed the children and give them gifts every December."