Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters opens up about her journey, aspirations, assets, and how she’s leaving no stone unturned to take on the universe. Witness how the Brit-Fil beauty will touch people’s lives as she stands with her advocacy- celebrating one’s individuality or simply, staying true to one’s self.
Before entering Binibining Pilipinas 2017, the 25 years old Brit-Fil beauty from Camarines Sur Rachel Peters, is no stranger to beauty pageants, having crowned as 4th princess at Miss World.
Peters recently sealed the deal at the Bb. Pilipinas 2017 pageant when she faultlessly gave a stirring message for this year’s ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) delegates, “I believe that one of our biggest problems our country faces today is divisiveness- in politics, in religion, and also in culture. That is something I want to address. I believe if people could learn to tolerate each other’s differences and respect each other’s opinions then we will be a stronger nation and world.” Rachel also won Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimsuit in the competition.
Peters has always been intelligent, after all, having finished her International Baccalaureate at the British School in Phuket, Thailand as well as her Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Tourism and Events from La Trobe University in Australia.
Whilst there’s a saying that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters believe that, at the end of the day, it’s your heart and soul that truly matter the most.
Now that she’s won the Binibining Pilipinas, Peters, on behalf of the Philippines, is well aware of all the pressures and expectations from her as she will have a shot at claiming the title of becoming the most beautiful woman in the universe.
Can you tell me about where the dream to become a beauty queen came from?
Growing up, I was never really a very girly girl. I never imagined that I would be in beauty pageants. But after I graduated in university my mom encouraged me to just try it, to give it a shot so I have no regrets. I did join Miss World in 2014 and became 4th princess. It took me two years to finally master up the courage to try again. I tried it again because I have a lot of fans who were messaging me and asking me to try it again. I guess I was at a point in my life that it was pretty stagnant so I needed something to level up again and that was the perfect opportunity for me to do that.
Can you tell me about the pressure leading up to the upcoming competition?
Of course, there’s a lot of pressure, I think because the Philippines is known as a Pageant Powerhouse. People have their high expectations for their “manoks”. I think also because of social media there’s a lot of added pressure because people feel like they need to judge your every move based on what you post on social media. But personally, I am trying to just enjoy the whole experience, something’s that’ll only gonna happen once and I’m the 66th candidate to be sent from the Philippines. I’m one of very few people to get to go through this. I’m trying to make the most of it, and learn and grow and make it fun as much as possible.
What was the hardest part about your journey from when you started doing Miss Philippines?
I guess aside from time management, the hardest thing for me has been learning how to do my hair and makeup.
If you’re not doing beauty pageants, what do you think you will be doing now?
Before the pageants, I was working for our family business which is concert promotions, so definitely I would be in some form of events. I would like to have pursued hosting and that’s something that I also hope to do after the pageant.
Why did you join Bb. Pilipinas 2017?
I joined Bb. because I knew I had a lot of support and love from fans all around the Philippines and actually from other countries as well. I’ve always been a very shy type of person and felt like I didn’t have what it takes and these people encouraged me because of the fact that they all thought that I had it in me to be able to do it. It motivated me to give it a try.
Despite all the top quality candidates for Miss Universe 2017, how do you think you will stand out against other candidates from the superpower countries?
I get asked that question quite a lot and it’s a really difficult one to answer. They are all very beautiful. They are all on their top game. I don’t know what will make me stand out but I’m just gonna be myself. In pageants it’s easy to get lost in all the glitz and the glamour and the drama. I think if you can remain calm and collected and to be yourself, that will shine through.
What are the preparations you are currently doing for Miss Universe 2017?
There are many aspects to training. There is Q & A, personality development, hair and makeup training for us because we have to do our own every day, gym, walking training. A lot.
If ever you win the Miss Universe, what legacy do you want to leave?
I want to be known as the Binibini or Miss Universe candidate that stays true to herself despite all the pressures of social media in bashing, and things like that. My advocacy is actually to celebrate your individuality, to not feel like you have fit in social norms and to just be yourself because you’re awesome the way you are.
What is Rachel Peters afraid of?
A lot. I’m afraid of everything. Probably one of my fears would be frogs and I’m scared of balloons too. I’m also afraid of letting the people who helped me down.
What do you think are your best assets?
In terms of qualities, I would say that I’m very humble despite of everything that I’ve been blessed. Last few months, I realized that it is important to remember all the people who have been there for you from the beginning. I think that the most important thing that is driving me in this pageant is the support and the love from the people who have helped me. And I think as long as you remain humble and you give them appreciation that they deserve, you’ll never gonna run out of that support. Yup, my biggest asset is them.
As a beach bum, how often do you go to beaches? What’s your favorite destination you’ve been to?
My favorite destination would be Siargao. In fact, I recently opened a coffee shop in Siargao. I don’t go to beaches as often as I would like. I probably go once every two months because I’m very busy here. I did just come from the beach though, because it’s my birthday next week and I celebrated a little bit early in Palawan.
Since when did you start organizing events?
It’s a family business. We’ve been in events since I was born, but after Miss World, I joined the family business and I was the road manager for when we have shows. For those who don’t know what a road manager is, I was the one along with the team that organizes everything from like airport arrival, to the vans that take us there, we also have to organize all the logistics and we’re the ones who’s really looking after the artists which is really fun because you get to meet a lot of different people.
When did you start getting obsessed with animals? Do you have a pet?
I have two dogs- Ronda and Batman. I don’t know I guess I’ve always loved dogs. My dad is like a gentle giant, he’s really really tall but he’s always had a very soft demure. When we were young, we’re never allowed to have animals and so I guessed not being allowed to have it, maybe want them even more and yeah as long as I remember I’ve always been obsessed with animals. I’m afraid of cats. I hope you don’t hate me for that but I don’t like cats.
What is the definition of beauty for Rachel Peters?
Everyone has their own ideas of what beauty is, but for me, I think the most important thing is the beauty that comes from within. It’s very easy to enhance your face- do this and do that. Your heart and your soul is what really tells a lot about your personality, like if you’re a happy person, a kind person, it reflects on your aura. And I think that your aura is more important than what you actually look like because beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think everyone is beautiful. I can honestly look at any person and think wow she’s really gorgeous, we’re all different and that’s why you really need to celebrate your individuality. When you do, it means you’re accepting yourself as who you are and when you can do that then you can really say that you’re truly happy and confident and beautiful, that’s when the beauty shows.
What quote do you live by?
At the moment, probably one of my favorite quotes, “Hardships often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.” That’s what I keep reminding myself because I don’t sleep, very busy, but it’s also very true. I do believe in hard work, because if you want something bad enough you will do whatever you need to do, to be able to achieve it.
What are the goals do you wish to achieve in the future?
At the moment, I’m not trying to look far because my goal now is to win Miss Universe. Beyond that, I would like to do some hosting. But above all, I wanna be a mom. That’s something I’d really really love to. When I was younger, my brother used to say, yeah your calling is to be a mom and I was like no. But I’ve come to realized that actually it is. That’s something I really look forward to and I’m not in a rush. That’s my ultimate goal- to be a mom and to have a happy family.