At 47, beauty queen Aida Patana of Cebu City said that she is not affected anymore by malicious rumors linking her to Brazilian hunk Daniel Matsunaga.
"Ang daming malisyosong balita na may relasyon daw kami ni Daniel (Matsunaga) pero hindi ko na lang pinapansin kasi hindi naman tutoo," said Aida during a press conference in preparation for the Mrs. Tourism Ambassador Universe in Malaysia in February 2021, held at BBQ Break Restaurant in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Saturday, December 5. (There are malicious rumors about me and Daniel but I just ignore them because it's not true that we are having an affair).
Aida pointed out that Daniel is a long-time friend. "May mga naiinggit kasi na bibigyan ko siya ng mga projects. Pero no strings attached sa relationship namin bilang magkaibigan." (There are people who envy him because I give him projects. But really, there's no strings attached in our friendship).
The beauty queen from Cebu said that she is focused now on her journey to another international pageant.
Rodell Salvador, national director of the pageant, said that Aida will train on pasarela, personality development and question-and-answer.
Popular fashion designer Carey Santiago will provide outfits for the beauty queen, including national costume and evening gown.
A mother of five, the single mom revealed she almost ended her life due to depression several years ago.
"Muntik na akong magpakamatay dahil sa pag-ibig. na-depress talaga ako nuon. Pero nakayanan ko yun at nakabangon uli ako," said Aida. (I almost committed suicide because of love. But I survived it all)
Asked to give advice to people who are depressed, Aida said: "Gawin lang ninyong busy ang mga sarili ninyo sa mga makabuluhan na bagay. Work hard and pray hard lang." (To avoid depression, just get yourselves busy with worthwhile activities. Word hard and pray hard).
Aida is a talent agency owner and an events producer who has come up with successful shows in Cebu and Metro Manila.
Titles up for grabs at the Mrs Tourism Ambassador pageants are Mrs. Tourism Ambassador Universe, Mrs. Tourism Ambassador World, and Mrs Tourism Ambassador International.
In 2019, Myla Tsutaichi won the Mrs. Tourism Ambassador International crown.