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MISS UNIVERSE Miss USA, R'Bonney Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe 2022. |
In her first meeting with the media, the newly crowned Miss Universe said in Tagalog, "Mabuhay, Philippines. Mabuhay Filipino fans. Maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat ng tulong ninyo."
Miss USA, R'Bonnet Gabriel, gave thanks in Tagalog: Greetings, Philippines. Greetings Filipino fans. Many thanks for your support.
"The support is everything. I feel it my heart. I heard it in the room. It was an amazing energy. The Filipino blood is so strong. We are hardworking, we're fun and we're determined, and I'm so proud to be half-Filipina," she added.
The beauty queen, a 28-year-old fashion designer, secured the title Saturday at the annual international competition, which was held this year in New Orleans. Last year’s winner, Harnaaz Sandhu of India, placed the tiara on Gabriel, who began the competition by being crowned as Miss Texas, the first Filipino American to represent that state in this pageant.
As the 80 competitors was winnowed down to the final five, Gabriel knocked it out of the park with her response when asked how she would work to demonstrate Miss Universe is “an empowering and progressive organization” if she were to win.
“I would use it to be a transformational leader,” the Texas resident responded, citing her work as a fashion designer using recycled materials in her creations and teaching sewing to survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.
“It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference,” Gabriel continued. “We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.”
Miss USA, R'Bonnet Gabriel, gave thanks in Tagalog: Greetings, Philippines. Greetings Filipino fans. Many thanks for your support.
"The support is everything. I feel it my heart. I heard it in the room. It was an amazing energy. The Filipino blood is so strong. We are hardworking, we're fun and we're determined, and I'm so proud to be half-Filipina," she added.
The beauty queen, a 28-year-old fashion designer, secured the title Saturday at the annual international competition, which was held this year in New Orleans. Last year’s winner, Harnaaz Sandhu of India, placed the tiara on Gabriel, who began the competition by being crowned as Miss Texas, the first Filipino American to represent that state in this pageant.
“I would use it to be a transformational leader,” the Texas resident responded, citing her work as a fashion designer using recycled materials in her creations and teaching sewing to survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.
“It is so important to invest in others, invest in our community and use your unique talent to make a difference,” Gabriel continued. “We all have something special, and when we plant those seeds to other people in our life, we transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change.”
According to her Miss Universe profile, R'Bonney is the lead sewing instructor at Magpies & Peacocks, a Houston based nonprofit design house that is dedicated to using "Fashion As A Force For Good" through sustainability and community impact.
TV personality Jeannie Mai and model Olivia Culpo—Miss Universe 2012—co-hosted the 2022 pageant, which aired on the Roku Channel. Before the winner was announced, the contestants showcased colorful, chic looks in the evening gown and swimwear contests, while also modeling radiant styles in a national costume show.
In an Instagram posting, Gabriel wrote that she designed and dyed her swimsuit cape using plastic bottles. " gathered and transformed this cape to showcase how art can be made out of what we perceive as trash. It also embodies my favorite message of "If Not Now, Then When?"
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| R'Bonney Gabriel unfurls her swimsuit cape with a message. |
Her mission is "for women and young girls to see themselves in her, and feel inspired to conquer their goals by owning who they are."
"I get so many messages from young girls telling me that they are inspired by me, but it's just so important to embrace who you are, whatever culture that is. And I've, I've done that very proudly, very vocally and it's amazing to have people come to me and tell me that they are so proud of their culture, too. That is really how I want to inspire people," she added.
"I get so many messages from young girls telling me that they are inspired by me, but it's just so important to embrace who you are, whatever culture that is. And I've, I've done that very proudly, very vocally and it's amazing to have people come to me and tell me that they are so proud of their culture, too. That is really how I want to inspire people," she added.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.
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