With a vibrant spirit and a heart brimming with ambition, Myrna Esguerra from Abra embarked on a remarkable journey as the representative of the Philippines at the 63rd Miss International beauty pageant in Tokyo, Japan, on Nov. 27.

After more than a year of meticulous preparation, Myrna now stands at the brink of this life-altering experience, radiating excitement and anticipation.

“What I am feeling now is excitement. There's no more time to feel the pressure,” she said during a joyous send-off event held at the World Kitchens in Araneta City, reflecting on the long wait that has finally led to this pivotal moment.

Myrna shared how she prepared for the popular pageant, exuding excitement and dedication.

"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 something that they will never forget and that they will always carry with them," she said.

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,” she said.

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

The Philippines has won the Miss International crown 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 beauty contests abroad, including Miss International.

Beyond beauty and glamour, Myrna will also take her advocacy – education – to the pageant.

Ever since I was in elementary school, I had been pushing the value of education, she said. To help her parents fund her education, she would make 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 said 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 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 observe the reasons why Filipino children struggle to read and comprehend what they are reading.

"It's because there's poverty, no 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 the way to the international beauty pageant, she has learned many things. One is – "Never lose your heart. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang charity events ang ginawa namin for Bb. Pilipinas (I can't count how many charity events we participated for Bb. Pilipinas), and that's one thing I am proud of as a Binibining Pilipinas. 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 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 (I know the face of poverty) because that's where I came from. However, I can attest that it's not about where you come 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."