She’s the Binibini from the 2021 edition of the country’s longest running pageant who everyone thought would end up wearing a crown that year, but when the final announcements were made, was called first as a runner up.
“It was really a heartbreak nung unang-una akong tinawag. Ibig sabihin nun, wala na akong chance to win one of the titles and represent the country internationally,” admits 28-year-old Meiji Cruz, who is, officially, Binibining Pilipinas 2021 runner up. Her 2021 candidacy was not her first foray into national pageantry. She also participated in the same competition in 2012, which was won by Janine Tugonon.
Not to be slowed by her inability to snatch a crown, Meiji turned to television hosting to further hone her communication skills. In just a short period, she stacked up her TV projects, from being part of a daily morning show to co-hosting a government produced series to anchoring even her own documentary. On the side, she also kept herself busy by judging and/or emceeing pageant shows all over the country.
Just when people thought they’ve seen the last of her on the pageant stage, this Valenzuela-based beauty caught everyone by surprise when she was announced as the country’s representative to this year’s Miss CosmoWorld to be held in Malaysia.
“I’m ecstatic that I’ll finally get to wear the Philippine sash across my heart. Sobra rin pong natutuwa ako sa lahat ng natatanggap kong suporta especially from the pageant fans. Talaga pong source of my strength and inspiration ang mga fans,” she says. Bagging the right to be the country’s official delegate to Miss CosmoWorld didn’t come easy. She also had to work on it. “May audition po, merong application documents that I had to submit. I also had an interview with the owners and the founders of the pageant. I am blessed na ako po ang napili,” shares Meiji.
While humble enough to say that she herself was surprised by her selection, many fans are in agreement that getting this shot for an international title is something that she truly deserves. The 5’7 stunner is a complete package. More than possessing the physical goods necessary to win an international crown, she is backed by her triple educational degrees: AB Mass Communications, BS Psychology and AB Guidance and Counselling.
“I’m pressured po because I know na may expectations din sa akin sa pageant na ito and given the short training I now have. Compared sa preparations ko sa Binibini, mas nakaka-nerbiyos at nakaka-kaba po ito. Pero I have everyone helping me. Kailangan ko lang po ng disiplina and focus. I have an entire village of people supporting me. I know I can do it,” Meiji says of her chances.
The Miss CosmoWorld Pageant is a competition that has been running for the past 18 years. It usually gathers 25 to 30 participants from all over the world each year. It is one beauty title that has so far been elusive to Filipinas. Meiji promises to do everything she can to finally bring the crown home.
“Hopefully I’m gonna be the first Miss CosmoWorld from the Philippines. Sana maiuwi ko ang korona sa first week of December as a Christmas gift for the Filipino people,” she wishes.
Meiji leaves the country for her competition on November 16 and will espouse her advocacies on children and education.