Miss Philippines International Bea Patricia “Patch” Magtanong was praised by English-speaking audiences around the world with her speech about women empowerment during the Miss International 2019 pageant held in Japan.
The beauty queen-lawyer alumna of the University of the Philippines who passed the bar this year and the other finalists in the Top 8 of the pageant coronation night held on November 12 were asked why they should be the next Miss International winner.
Atty. Patch Magtanong, who has said she joined Binibining Pilipinas to bring to the pageant platform the social justice causes she wants to pursue as a lawyer, responded with a speech about how women should be allowed to realize their full potential and that “No woman should be left behind”. The speech was translated for the non-English speaking judge panel.
Here is the full text of Miss Philippines International Patch Magtanong’s speech:
“When I was younger, I found it strange that I was subjected to different standards as other boys my age. When I got older and even more so when I became a lawyer, I began to question these standards and challenge them.
“Why should women live in fear of harassment, violence, and discrimination when basic human decency calls for respect, tolerance, and compassion?
“To cheer all women means to support all women regardless of their race, religion, or background. But not only this – it also means to remove the barriers that prevent women from realizing their full potential.
“Miss International does this by fostering a global culture of women empowerment and gender equality. And through this platform, we can ensure that no woman anytime, anywhere is left behind.”
Patch Magtanong reached the Top 8 Finalists of the 2019 Miss International.
The Philippines has won 7 Miss International crowns, the last from Baguio teacher Kylie Versoza in 2016.
Ahtisa Manalo was First Runner-Up in the 2018 edition of the Miss International pageant also held in Tokyo.
Forty years ago, actress-model Melanie Marquez won the 1979 Miss International crown.
SEND cheers in the comments below to Patch Magtanong for her inspiring speech advocating women empowerment!
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