For the third time, Pauline Cucharo Amelinckx is fighting again - for a crown.
The beauty queen from Bohol has been selected as one of the 40 official candidates of 2023 Miss Universe Philippines where will compete against fresh faces, pageant veterans and even married or single moms.
"A lot of people asked me if this was a last minute decision. but i had been pondering on this for months, tbh. I talked to those I trust and those dear to me. and all the while still receiving sweet and supportive messages of so many people.
"I trust my gut feeling. and I feel like i could still step up, bring people together for meaningful causes and be transformed myself. i also knew and felt I would regret it if i didn't take this leap of faith for my final round with MUPH.
"So i thought if I still have this passion and ambition in me, and the support is overflowing, what the hell am I waiting for? This is my now," she wrote on social media.
Pauline, 26, said that her support system made her "incredibly grateful, humbled and more driven."
"A phenomenal woman said yesterday that this opportunity comes around once, twice, and sometimes even thrice in a life time.
"That realization of me being able to once again step on the MUPh stage, even on my 3rd attempt, with so much love from others, makes me feel incredibly grateful, humbled and more driven," she added. "Thank You, for this opportunity to grow and do more meaningful things with meaningful people, to transform and be transformed myself."
Pauline also said that she's still super emotional about everything but its mostly feelings of happiness, excitement, and gratitude for all the support she's been receiving.
On Oct. 25, 2020, Pauline was third runner-up to Rabiya Mateo at the Miss Universe pageant held in Baguio City.
On April 30, 2022, Pauline finished third when she was awarded Miss Universe Philippines Charity.
Pauline's first national pageant was the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2018 beauty contest where she ranked fourth. She was supposed to represent the Philippines then at the Global Beauty Queen 20218 but it was cancelled due to the tension in the Middle East.