The 65th edition of the Miss Universe pageant has concluded, but looks like the contestants are still not over the Philippines’ fever. Same is the case with Miss Universe Thailand 2016 Chalita Suansane. Chalita, who was the crowd’s favourite at the Miss Universe pageant, visited the Philippines recently as a Tourism Ambassador for Thailand. Chalita won over everyone with her charm and wit at the Miss Universe pageant, and the beauty made it to the Top 6 finalists.
In a recent interview with Inquirer Entertainment, Chalita talked about Maxine, Pia, Iris, her friendship with Andrea Tovar, and her overall experience in general. Talking about her Top 6 placement, Chalita said that it was a mixed feeling for her. On one hand it broke her heart to see that she couldn’t make it to Top 6, and on the other hand she felt making it to the Top 6 finalist was a reward for her in itself.
She even answered the final Question of Miss Universe 2016 that was asked to the Top 3 finalists – “Name something over the course of your life that you failed at, and tell us what you learned from that experience?” To which Chalita answered, “I’ve never looked at anything in my life as a failure. Everything that has happened to me offers a good lesson to learn—and an opportunity to do better in the future”.
She also shared her thoughts about the newly crowned Miss Universe, Iris Mittenaere and said that Iris has a very amicable nature and is nice to everyone. Talking about Pia, she said that Pia is beautiful in a unique way and possesses the quality of a leader. She also talked about her friendship with Miss Universe Colombia Andrea Tovar and said, “Andrea and I still keep in touch. She told me that she could come to Thailand because she received an award in Colombia that would let her travel to her destination of choice. I’d be very happy to welcome her in Thailand.”
Talking about her experience in the Philippines, she said that it was her first visit to the country and she was surprised that everyone knew her name. “I went, even in places outside Metro Manila, everybody would call me by my name, Chalita!” She further added that the most noticeable similarity is in the way they look. “Filipinos and Thais look the same, as if they’re brothers and sisters. But one distinct difference is the food. I didn’t have the chance to try as many Filipino dishes as I wanted during the pageant, but with the few that I had tasted—which, by the way, were delicious—I’d say that the flavours were quite different,” added Chalita.
Miss Universe 2016 finale concluded on 30th January 2017, with the crowning of Iris Mittenaere as the winner.
