Meranie Gadiana Rahman has arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada to represent the Philippines at the Mrs. World 2022 pageant.

"I am honored to have this great opportunity to represent the Philippines at Mrs. World. I am excited to meet my pageant sisters. Thank you everyone for always supporting me. You are truly the wind under my wings," said Meranie on Instagram, Jan. 9.

Meranie is accompanied by her husband Dr. Inam Rahman and their five-year-old son in her trip to the US.

The beauty queen said that she's ready for the international competition, which has been rescheduled on several occasions due to the pandemic.

Asked what she can promise to her supporters, the beauty queen said: "I can promise to all my supporters that I will fulfill all my duties to the best of my abilities. I intend to travel the world and promote my advocacy about depression, postpartum depression, bullying, drug abuse awareness, gender inequality, and women empowerment by action. I want to show the whole world that any Filipina can fulfill her dreams and can be somebody, even if she is married and has children."

Meranie has expressed concern over the pandemic, but she's not backing out. "I'm moving forward all the way."

"I am concerned that COVID-19 is increasing in number. However, I feel comfortable that my family and I have been fully vaccinated. And that is another thing which I will be promoting. Advise everyone to get vaccinated and observe social distancing, wearing masks, and hand hygiene.

"I believe COVID-19 is a very serious and dangerous virus, especially the new Omicron, which is highly contagious. I believe it is going to infect the majority of the world who are not vaccinated and few who are, but the disease will be much less severe to those people who are vaccinated," she said.

Before she went to Las Vegas, Meranie went on a mission to the Philippines in December. Unfortunately, during her trip to the country, her family's plantation in Cagayan de Oro was ravaged by typhoon "Odette."

"I was really scared! Typhoon Odette was a level 5 typhoon, the worst there can be. It was the worst calamity that I myself, my family, and my Filipino community suffered. I saw the devastation with my very own eyes, since I was there on a mission. There was some warning that there was a storm, but no one knew how bad it was," she said during her send-off in Quezon City last month.

Meranie added: "First, electricity was gone all of a sudden. Then came the fierce whistling wind and destroyed everything for many to sustain life in the province of Mindanao and Visayas. The houses were destroyed. Besides electricity, water was gone and no network connection. People have been left without shelter and enough food for days. Many are suffering from sickness in addition to cold, darkness, and starvation. There are NGOs like Red Cross helping out, but they have limited capacity. They need your donations to help more people."

Meranie also said that she will continue to promote her advocacy on postpartum depression awareness, and campaign against depression, and drug abuse as she has a stronger voice now.

"Depression and postpartum depression are serious diseases, and often lead to drug abuse and suicide if not diagnosed and treated in time and properly. Feeling isolated, helpless with low self-esteem are some warning signs of depression and postpartum," she added.

In 2019, Meranie won Mrs. Philippines World in Paris, France, and competed at Mrs. World pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada as Mrs. Guam World 2019. She finished in the top 8 among the field of 48 contestants.

Now based in Hawaii for more than 17 years, Meranie has been recognized for her efforts to campaign her advocacy. She was cited by Hawaii State legislators Honorable John Mizuno, Chair of Health Committee, Speaker of the House Honorable Scott Saiki and Honorable Romy Cachola; and Hawaii State Governor Honorable David Ige.

The grand coronation of Mrs. World 2022 beauty pageant will be held on Jan. 15.