Miss Supranational Philippines 2023 Pauline Amelinckx

Boholana-Belgian beauty queen Pauline Amelinckx revealed that she did not expect to be named the new Miss Supranational Philippines 2023 in a special ceremony last May 13 right after the Miss Universe Philippines coronation night. She added, however, that she's happy to take the title while rallying her fans to help her "pray and manifest for the second Miss Supranational crown for the Philippines" which was last won by Mutya Datul in 2013.

"I was actually surprised that they assigned Miss Supranational to me because based on the popular opinion of other pageant fans, I actually thought that it would be Miss Charm that would be assigned to me. But it's still a very happy experience and it's something that I looked forward to for the past three years when I proudly represented Bohol. Now I can finally say 'Philippines!' attached to my name abroad," Pauline said in an interview right after the B.R.A.V.E. Beauty body positivity event organized by  Junior Chamber International (JCI) Makati Princess Urduja headed by Michiko Unso.

Pauline, who is president of JCI Chocolate Hills, looked back on her performance in the recent Miss Universe PH pageant which has been the subject of controversy. Michelle Dee of Makati City won the tightly-contested beauty tilt while Krishnah Gravidez of Baguio City was hailed the new Miss Charm Philippines.

"I was a little bit disappointed with myself. To be perfectly honest, there were some areas, after self-reflection, where I thought to myself I could have done better and perhaps it would have changed some of the results," Pauline remarked.

"But at the end of the day, it's still a  'what if ' and I don't wanna ponder too much about the past because we can't change that anymore. Michelle (Dee) is very deserving and I'm sure she will make our country proud,"  she added.

Michiko Unso, president of JCI Makati Princess Urduja (right) with daughter Alek Unso, chairperson of the B.R.A.V.E. beauty fashion show

Pauline bared that she is now completing the paper requirements needed for her to compete in Miss Supranational 2023 in Poland and she will start her pageant training again in June.

The 27-year-old beauty queen, who competed in MUPh three times, noted that she will work on maintaining her composure onstage.

Pauline recalled her recent experience during the MUPh finals where jitters got the best of her.

"Going into the coronation night, I  really felt calm and collected but when Bohol was called into the Top 5,  I felt my heart racing because I realized this was  the third time I was able to get Bohol into the Top 5. So my heart was racing and my emotions took the best of me. I wasn't able to  get a clear mind in that moment. So I have to work on keeping my emotions in check especially when it matters the most on stage," she recounted.

Pauline said she was  heartened to receive congratulatory messages from fellow beauty queens, including actress and Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Teresita Ssen "Winwyn" Marquez who also belongs to Aces and Queens.

Miss Supranational Philippines 2023 Pauline Amelinckx with Ashley Subijano, the Philippines' candidate to Miss Eco International 2023

"Hopefully, there's a  lot of lessons  that I can take from all the different  beauty queens, especially those who have competed in (Miss Supranational) Po; and who  already know where I should excel or where I can  progress a little bit more so I can represent the best of the Philippines," she pointed out.

The newly-crowned Miss Supranational Philippines 2023 has become a strong advocate of body positivity after her own experience of body shaming online during the three times she competed in the MUPh pageant.

This is the reason why she was presented as the main celebrity model during the B.R.A.V.E. (Bolder Reactions Against Violence to Empower) fashion show and fund-raiser held in Draper Start-up House in Makati City. Pauline wore a flowing white gown designed by her "momager" Mikee Andrei.

"People will always have their own opinions about you which they are entitled to. At the end of the day when it comes to overcoming body shaming, it's not about changing other people's opinions about you. It's about changing the voice inside your head and making it the kindest voice you'll hear, to have your positive opinion about yourself be the loudest and most unwavering one that you will hear," she stressed.

"The thoughts that I personally like to keep paramount are: that my body doesn't have to be sexy but strong,  although it can also be both. As long as my body is healthy and my spirit is happy.... kebs! di ba?," Pauline stated.