INAMIN ni Binibini Samantha Bernardo ng Palawan na nakaramdam siya ng halu-halong emosyon nang magwagi bilang 2nd runner-up sa 2018 Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant.

“Happy because I was in the winning circle. I was sad because I was a runner-up,” sabi ni Samantha nang kapanayamin sa Araneta Center sa Quezon City.

Inihayag din ni Samantha, 26, na hindi niya hinayaang maapektuhan ng resulta ng kumpetisyon ang kanyang sarili. Noong July 2018 niya napagdesisyunan na nais niya muling lumahok sa prestihiyosong beauty pageant. Isang araw bago magsimula ang pageant search ngayong taon, nagbitiw siya bilang 2nd runner-up.

“I think it’s all about timing. To be honest, last year, I was hoping for a crown. Afterwards, I realized it’s not yet my time in the pageant. Now I have to take the risk and maximize everything I got from last year’s competition,” sabi niya.

Inamin din niyang nakaramdam siya ng pressure noong nakaraang taona t hindi niya na-enjoy ang buong pageant. “That time my public relations were affected. I was quiet all the time. It was just hi and hello. I changed all that.”

Bitbit ang bagong adbokasiya, umaasa si Samantha na masusungkit na niya ang pinakamatataas na karangalan ngayong taon, para palawigin ang kanyang kampanya hinggil sa pagpigil sa pagkalat ng malaria, na laganap pa rin sa Palawan. She promoted preservation of arts and culture sa Bb. Pilipinas contest noong nakaraang taon.

“With or without the crown, you can do the things that you want. But with the crown, you have the authority to do the things that you want. So I want that authority,” aniya.

Sinanay sa ilalim ng Kagandahang Flores beauty camp ni Rodgil Flores, si Samantha ay nagtapos ng BS in hospitality management sa Palawan State University. Siya rin ay isang folk dancer.

-Robert R. Requintina