MASAYANG nagbabakasyon ngayon sa Brunei si Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina.

“Thank you po sa lahat ng kababayan natin for welcoming me and my family here in Brunei! (Na surprise Talaga ako. No make up lol...) MARAMING SALAMAT PO! Muntik na akong maiyak sa lahat ng surprises ninyo! Everything is worth it. I am proud to be Miss Philippines-Universe because of your love,” ani Medina sa caption sa video ng kanyang pagdating sa Brunei, na ipinost niya sa Instagram.

Mapapanood sa video si Maxine na tumatanggap ng mga bulaklak habang nagkikislapan ang cellphone cameras sa kanyang paligid nang dumating siya sa paliparan.

Nauna rito, nag-post si Maxine ng group shot ng biyahe nilang mag-anak patungong Brunei. Ang kanyang caption, “Off to Brunei with the whole family to celebrate my victory! We’re all excited!!!”

Sinabi rin ni Maxine na nami-miss niya ang kanyang roommate na si Miss Universe Malaysia Kiran Jassal.

“I’m getting emotional when I saw this in my bag as I’m really missing my room mate. She’s the first person I always see in the morning and I’m always with when #missuniverse2016 started. @kiran_jassal I will visit you soon. Love you!” saad ng Pinay beauty queen.

Naka-move on na rin si Maxine sa pag-abot niya sa Top 6 ng Miss Universe pageant noong Enero 30.

“Embrace your flaws and speak from your heart because if you do you’ll never get lost on the path that you choose,” aniya sa Instagram.

Pinasalamatan din ni Maxine si Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, na aniya ay ang unang taong bumati sa kanya nang umalis siya sa entablado ng Miss Universe sa SM Mall of Asia sa Pasay City.

“She was the very first friend who congratulated me for giving a good fight before I went out of the stage. Thank you @piawurtzbach for guiding me until the very end. No matter how far have you gone, no matter how accomplished you have become, you never forget to be a friend until the last minute of my journey,” aniya.

Muli ring pinasalamatan ni Maxine ang lahat ng mga sumuporta sa kanya sa katatapos na 65th Miss Universe pageant.

“I feel so blessed to have the honor of representing my country the Philippines. I gave and offered my best, my heart and my soul as I stepped out on the stage to represent the entire nation at this year’s Miss Universe Pageant!

“I am so proud to have been given the opportunity of wearing the Philippine sash for a month of hosting this historical event. After seven months of preparations, through ups and downs, when I go to sleep, I am at peace and comforted knowing that the entire country believes in me.

“When I was called to be part of the top 6 finalists, I knew that I could make it because I believe in myself. I KNOW THAT I AM CAPABLE AND I ROSE FROM THE CHALLENGES that I’ve been through. Most importantly, I know that my fellow Filipinos also think that I CAN;

“I am fortunate to be part of this momentous gathering of the most beautiful women in the universe that took place in our country. To have experienced this milestone makes me very happy because I was able to bring the Filipino nation together as one.

“To my fellow candidates, it is a privilege to share this wonderful journey with you. Sa aking mga kababayan at kapwa Filipino, maraming salamat po sa lahat ng suporta at pagmamahal na ipinakita ninyo sa akin! EVERYTHING I DO IS FOR OUR PHILIPPINES! MABUHAY PO TAYONG LAHAT. MAHAL KO KAYO,” post ni Maxine sa Instagram.

Kokoronahan ni Maxine ang kanyang successor sa 2017 Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant sa huling bahagi ng taong ito.

(Robert R. Requintina)