Angelica Lopez concludes her Miss International 2024 journey
Angelica Lopez has concluded her journey in the 2024 Miss International pageant.
Hailing from Palawan, the 23-year-old stunner fell short of advancing to the Top 20 in the 62nd Miss International final night held on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan.
Before reaching the Miss International stage, Angelica had been making her mark in the pageant scene, having previously competed in the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 and landed a spot in the top 16. She also represented the country in the Miss Asia Global 2022 pageant in Malaysia held in March 2023 where she finished as 1st runner-up.
In her Binibining Pilipinas stint in May 2023, Angelica took pride in how her mom shaped her into becoming who she is today—a woman who "has the strength, courage, and tenacity to decide for herself what she wants, really works hard to achieve this, to also have the courage to face any obstacles of life, and tenacity to hold on to her wisdom of choice."
Driven by her own humble beginnings, Angelica had long been a passionate advocate for underprivileged children, even before stepping onto the global stage
@angelicalopezofficial / Instagram
Speaking to the media at her send-off event on Oct. 24, the beauty queen said she wanted to be the "bridge" for underprivileged children, empowering them to overcome challenges and achieve potential.
"I grew up without having a silver spoon in my mouth, and I know what it feels like. I want to be the bridge for these children to be able to live a good life [and] to be able to live a life with security and safety," she said.
"That's what I want to create in Miss International—to build partnerships in organizations internationally, and I am so excited to share my advocacy with a lot of people to join me on my mission,” she continued.
Apart from this, she is also advocating embracing her authentic self. In the closed-door Q&A during the preliminaries, Angelica opened up about how she received backlash for her complexion when she won the Bb. Pilipinas International crown last May 2023.
“When I won last year as the Binibining Pilipinas International 2023, I have received a lot of criticism from others, because they said that I am not fit to become Miss International because of my skin color,” she began.
“But I always believed that I am the best representation of my countrymen, the Filipinos, and that is why I am here, standing proud, to share [with] other people our culture, tradition, heritage, and the values and the stories as well of the Filipino people,” Lopez continued.
She emphasized that she “will not be apologetic” to her true self, driven by her desire to inspire and empower others.
“And I will not be apologetic for who I am. I want to stay true to who I really am as a person, and to resonate what is inside of me, the authenticity, resilience, the kindness and the goodness of the heart that I have, to further inspire and empower others around me,” she added.
“I am just so, so grateful to be here because I know I am touching the lives of so many, many people, not only in my country Philippines, but internationally,” she concluded.
During the national costume segment, Angelica shone with her charisma wearing “The Pearl of the Orient Seas” by Filipino designer Patrick Isorena. The all-white ensemble, which symbolizes “Philippines' rich history and unparalleled natural beauty” and pays homage to the country’s age-old art of pearl diving was adorned with pearls and crystals with exaggerated ruffles in the hem that resemble ocean waves.
She also wore a pink ensemble during the finals night as her take on the sustainable fashion required to all 71 candidates. Made by Designer House of Victoria by Jomar Peraltahe, the mini blazer dress featured the traditional work of Hablon, a handwoven textile from Iloilo made from abaca and piña fibers.
If Angelica had won the crown, she would be the seventh Pinay Miss International titleholder.
Last year's Philippine delegate, Nicole Borromeo, finished as the 3rd runner-up.