Cinderella Obeñita has arrived in the country as she started her reign as Miss Intercontinental 2021 following her victory in Egypt last Oct. 30.
"I'm very emotional. I think destiny played a vital role. It's not just about the hard work because a beauty pageant is also luck. I really prayed hard for this," said Obeñita during an exclusive Zoom interview for the Manila Bulletin on Saturday, Nov. 6.
She added: "When I won as one of the Continental Beauties, I was so excited. Pero inilaban ko pa rin and I got the crown for the Philippines."
Obeñita said she's also happy for fellow Binibini Maureen Montagne who won Miss Globe 2021 in Albania last Saturday.
"I sent her a message, but I think she's still sleeping. She hasn't answered my messages, but I'm so happy for her," she said. The new beauty queen also congratulated Alexandra Faith Garcia, a fellow Binibini who earlier won Miss Aura International 2021 in Turkey, although Garcia's international title does not belong to Binibining Pilipinas.
Obeñita said she wasn't surprised at all when Montagne won, having competed in prestigious pageants here and abroad.
"I never doubted her victory. I got so many tips from her. She's been to Egypt for Miss Eco-International 2018 where she won first runner-up. She told me what to wear and what essentials to bring to Egypt," the Mindanaoan beauty queen said.
Upon her arrival in the Philippines, Obeñita underwent quarantine at a hotel in Cebu. A few days from now, she is scheduled to go back to Manila.
"I brought the crown to the Philippines. The pageant organizers told me to guard this crown with my life. They want me to show the crown to our national director (Stella Marquez Araneta)," she said.
Asked about the most important thing she learned during the Miss Intercontinental competition, Obeñita said that it always pays to be nice and respectful.
Obenita, 26, recalled helping a man in a wheelchair.
"I approached a man in the wheelchair who was having difficulty. So I asked him if he needed help. The man said he's alright. And then later he told me, 'you will win Miss Philippines.' I just smiled and ignored what he said. After I won, I saw him again. To my surprise, I found out he's one of the directors of Miss Intercontinental. Then he told me, 'I told you, you will win.' I was really surprised," she said.
Obeñita also said that organizers of Miss Intercontinental 2021 were finalizing her contract, and will be sending it to Bb. Pilipinas. She said her pageant reign would allow her to stay most of the time in the Philippines.
"They gave me an option if I want to stay in Spain or in the Philippines. I explained to them that I am very much involved in some projects in Misamis Oriental. I want to be of service to my people. So they will just invite me If I have activities abroad," the beauty queen added. Since she joined pageants, she has been vocal about pursuing politics in the future.
Obeñita also said that most of her projects for Miss Intercontinental will focus on programs related to the prevention of cervical cancer.
"So we will coordinate with the local governments of different countries in different continents. I will also take part in personality development programs, hosting gigs and judging in pageants," she added.
Obeñita also credited her triumph to her strict training in Bb. Pilipinas.
"I focused on the pasarela. Then I also studied the culture of Egypt. I also learned how to speak Arabic. With that preparation, in a sense, I guessed they think I am prepared to be an ambassador for the organization," she said.
Obeñita shared tips with young girls who want to become future Binibinis. "My best advice would follow what your heart desires, follow your passion. And be prepared. Always prepare to work hard and sacrifice. Don't let anyone limit your dreams. If you have this mindset, it's very possible for you to achieve it."
Obeñita is the second Miss Intercontinental titleholder from the Philippines, the first one being Karen Gallman who won the same title in 2018.