Graciella Lehmann couldn't be more thankful that her friend, impersonator-comedian Paolo Ballesteros, has agreed to help mentor her in the ongoing Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

According to the beauty queen from Oriental Mindoro, Paolo has been showering her with great love and support relating the endeavor.

She told Bulletin Entertainment in an exclusive interview how their collaboration started.

"Actually, I had COVID last January. I thought I was not joining this year since joining a pageant is very costly. But a friend of mine introduced me to Sir Paolo, and fortunately, we were able to collaborate for this year's Binibining Pilipinas."

According to her, Paolo got interested in the idea hearing her game plan.

"I actually didn't know that I'll be working with one of the Philippine's finest actors, artists. He would go on to actually design my national costume, which is based on the Tikbalang."

Paolo did more than just help design her costume. He also helped create her pasarela.

"Naturuan niya po ako in so many ways. Nag-train po kami for pasarela, we had shoots together. Apart from Kagandahang Flores, which is my beauty camp, 'yun nga, naturuan niya talaga ako. Even in one-on-one makeup. So I'm very thankful and grateful kay Mama Paolo," she related.

And to think Paolo has been doing all these sans fee.

"Yes po. Talang out of his own pocket," Graciella maintained.

"Before we even met, talagang ang dami na niyang pinapadala sa akin - make up, hair tools. And sobrang thankful ko kasi I can say that he brought out the best in me. And yun nga, may mga training kami na in-ecourage niya ako to do my own video. Take my own video while walking and then I'll be sending it to him and then he'll be giving honest feedback. So napaka-grateful ko talaga sa help niya, very hands-on po talaga."

Graciella's national costume for Binibining Pilipinas as created by Paolo created noise on social media.

Several celebrities like Samantha Bernardo, Rochelle Pangilinan, Eula Valdes, MJ Lastimosa, and Maureen Wroblewitz were wowed.

Graciella shared how it all started with her presenting several ideas to Paolo.

Paolo loved her idea about the Tikbalang and took it to the next level.

"A whole new level," Graciella reiterated. "And I'm so happy that he really turned my vision into reality, I must say."

But what's with the half-human and half-horse creature from Philippine folklore? Why did she decide to highlight it for the pageant?

Graciella feels it's going to be a "game-changer" in Philippine pageantry.

"I think it will bring me luck. It's something different. And we made it tasteful choosing white as base color," she added.

Meanwhile, the Filipina-Swiss-German diva who hails from Pinamalayan also shared with us her main goal joining the pageant.

Note it's her second time.

The 24-year-old was among the Top 12 finalist in last year’s edition.

"Well, for me, apart from cultivating my sense of self, joining Binibining Pilipinas is a culmination of a childhood dream. Also, I want to represent the country, the Philippines, in the international arena," she said.

So is she aiming for a specific crown?

"Ngayon po I just want to be versatile. I like to fit in sa kahit anong crown. But I see myself, probably, potentially, as Miss Grand International if given the chance."

The coronation ceremony for Binibining Pilipinas 2022 is set on July 31 with four crowns at stake — Binibining Pilipinas International, Globe, Intercontinental, and Grand International.