Newly crowned Miss Aura International Alexandra Faith Garcia of the Philippines revealed the "many firsts" in her pageant journey in Turkey.
Garcia, who is still in Turkey, is the first Filipino to win the international crown in 15 years.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/04/ph-beauty-alexandra-faith-garcia-wins-miss-aura-intl-2021-in-turkey/
"There are many 'firsts' that had happened in my Ms. Aura International 2021 journey, and let me share some of it. I was appointed as the “first” ever Filipina to compete in this year's Ms. Aura International," wrote Garcia on Instagram.
"Travelling to Turkey, I need to get a visa, and it was actually my “first” ever Visa. During the process, my team had encountered problems with their passport renewals and visa processing since it was ECQ during the time in Manila.
"I had my “first” ever long flight and my “first” international travels all by myself. Not to mention the luggage and boxes (containing my NatCos) that I need to carry (I didn't know how I was able to summon all the strength to carry those pieces of baggage which are actually heavier than me) ?
"I had to book my flight a few days earlier before the start of the actual activities to allow myself to adjust to the time difference. (+5hrs PHT) I didn't expect it, but I was actually the “first” candidate to arrive at the venue here in Antalya, Turkey.
"At the start of the activities & after seeing our National Costumes, the Ms. Aura Team had decided to put me at the end, so I was the “first” candidate in line, making me candidate #1.
In my “first” ever International pageant, I was crowned as the “first” ever Filipina in Ms. Aura International.
"I’m still in awe of all the things that had happened. Thank you so much everyone for the love & support that you have given me. It would not be possible without all of you.
"Para sayo ito, Mahal kong Pilipinas," she wrote.
The new beauty added: "The feeling is still so surreal. This moment was just a dream for the longest time, and now it is a reality. This was truly God’s plan."
Garcia, from Olongapo City, is no stranger to beauty pageants as she had participated in several national pageants since 2012. She joined Miss Silka Philippines 2013, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014, Reyna ng Aliwan 2015 and Bb. Pilipinas 2016 and 2020/2021 editions.
Organized by Turkish business tycoon Adnan Seker, more than 40 countries and territories competed for the crown at the Miss Aura International.
Miss Aura International Philippines Organization is headed by Kathleen Katniss Griffiths, a Filipino-American designer from California. Griffiths owns the Philippine franchise and also serves as the National Director. Other members of the Org are Jovita C. Laureola (Managing Director), Ferdinand Abejon (Overall Pageant Coordinator and PR Director), and Kenley Filarca (Multimedia Director).