Following more than a year of preparations, Myrna Esguerra of Abra is all set to compete at the 63rd Miss International beauty pageant in Tokyo, Japan, on Nov. 27.

"What I am feeling now is excitement. There's no more time to feel the pressure," said Myrna when asked about her feelings as the competition approaches during a send-off event held at World Kitchens in Araneta City recently.

Myrna added, "Sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari that time is just pulling us away. I've waited for a long time. While waiting, I have been preparing for this. I have imagined this moment in my head more than 100 times. Now I'm eager to be there and shout 'Philippines!' "

The Filipino beauty queen will depart for Japan on Nov. 9. However, the official arrival date for candidates will be Nov. 12. She will arrive early in the Land of the Rising Sun to immerse herself in its culture and learn more about its traditions and values.

The Philippines has won the Miss International title six times: Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Rose Santiago (2013), and Kylie Verzosa (2016).

Stella Marquez Araneta from Colombia is the first Miss International. She settled in the Philippines after marrying Jorge Araneta. The Aranetas organize the annual Binibining Pilipinas pageant, which sends candidates to international beauty contests, including Miss International.

Myrna shared some of her preparations for the popular pageant. She illustrated the excitement and dedication that came with each step.

"I saw how the Abrenans take great pride in their culture and traditions. I've been speaking with some designers from Abra, and they are willing to lend me their pieces.

"Aside from that, it is how Abrenans are so open to sharing what they have. I've been preparing gifts for all the ladies when I go to Japan.

"That's one thing I learned from Abra: to show how much you appreciate a person by giving them something that they will never forget and that they will always carry with them," she also said.

Eighty candidates are vying for the title of Miss International 2025, one of whom will succeed the reigning Miss International Thanh Thuy Huynh of Vietnam.

Myrna, who just turned 24, vowed to do her best on the international stage.

"Regardless of the outcome, I will do my best to showcase not just myself but the beauty of the Philippines. I would love for every Filipino to be happy with what I have prepared when I come back. This is not just my effort, but the effort of my team who have been supporting me all these years. I hope they appreciate what I have prepared," she said.

Beyond beauty and glamour, Myrna will also take her advocacy to the pageant, which is tied to the United Nations Development Goals.

Myrna said, "Ever since I was in elementary school, I have been championing education. Before, I would make my own type of candies and sell them in school during lunch break. Aside from that, I have experienced being an online seller, a cashier in a coffee shop, an event coordinator, and a part-time host. I am also a freelance model."

She added that she's doing this to help her family and support her studies. "I have 16 siblings, and I am the only one who has graduated with a four-year college degree. As a result, I am a passionate advocate for Sustainable Development Goal No. 4, which focuses on quality education. "

Myrna explained that the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) visited the three major islands in the Philippines to demonstrate on the international stage the reasons why Filipino children struggle to read and comprehend what they are reading.

"It's because there's poverty, access to education, and a lack of resources. If you visit these areas, you will see how they are left behind in terms of the materials that they need," she added.

On what she had learned as a Binibini for more than one year, Myrna remarked, "Never lose your heart. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang charity events ang ginawa namin for Bb. Pilipinas, and that's one thing I am proud of as a Binibini. We never lose our purpose. Now, all my experiences with the children we've met have made my purpose clearer, and it has made me more certain of who I am as a person. There are many children now who are looking up to me. I want to be the best elder sister for them, someone they will be proud of. That's something I always carry in my heart: never to lose your purpose, never to lose your heart, always be grateful, and always wear the gratitude in your heart."

With the changing landscape of pageants around the world, Myrna also shared her personal definition of beauty.

"Beauty is all about the heart. It may sound cliché, but it's true. I have arrived at this moment with all my life experiences. Alam ko kung ano ang itsura ng hirap because that's where I came from. However, I can attest that it's not about where you came from, but what you choose to do in your life. No matter how beautiful you are, it's the beauty of the purpose and all the things that you did for yourself, but for other people. That's why I am focused on my purpose as a person and practice all the things I've learned through my hardships."