This year a beauty has entered Binibining Pilipinas 2018 who’s not just beautiful outside but also inside. She has faced the challenges and hurdles of life head on and still lived the life to the fullest.
We are talking about this year’s Binibini 18 Rosantonette Mendoza, the inspiring Binibini of the competition.
Just recently, Rosantonette took to her social media account and shared something that seems unbelievable at first glance. One look at her, no one can even imagine in their wildest dreams also that Rosantonette could have a fat person once but she was. And not only did she got bullied because of that, she constantly faced trolls on social media.
26-year-old Rosan started her journey of pageantry at the age of 15, and her reason join the beauty contests was simple, “Beauty pageants made me feel good about myself. It became a venue for self-expression and women empowerment. I was able to connect with other people and inspire them with my life experiences.”
The victory came her way in 2007 when she was crowned Mutya ng Bacoor and then went on to become a diplomat by completing her studies with a degree in International Relations.
2013 again called her back to her first love, i.e., beauty pageants but what she didn’t know is the nightmare that was waiting on the other side.
Compassionately explaining it, the beauty shared, “I was bashed in social media because I was too “FAT” to be a beauty queen. Comments like, “hala, parang nanay na” “ano ba yan, bat may naligaw jan” and the likes. I have to admit, it almost ruined me.
I stopped aiming for those crowns. I went on with my life, got myself a pretty cool job at a retail company and even started my own business. I fell in love with food so much, you have no idea. Desserts - I love chocolates! I ate whatever I wanted. As in no control at all.
(Don’t get me wrong, coz’ I have zero regrets.)”
It was only in late December 2016 when Rosan finally opened her eyes to her current situation and thought to take some action before it was too late.
“It was December 2016 when it hit me - I was almost 90kgs. I knew I lost it.
I got tired easily, my sugar level was high, had a hard time breathing - lahat lahat na. I was very unhealthy. Then Miss Universe came to the Philippines early 2017. It was Miss Canada, who got my attention. Confidently beautiful with her body. That’s when I realized, it’s not over. Not yet.”
And then of course, there was no stopping this beautiful woman who worked hard whether in the gym or taking care of her diet, she gave it all keeping one goal in her mind, becoming a Binibini, which was her dream ever since she can remember.
Now that she looks behind, she is very proud of herself for getting where she is today, i.e. on the stage of Binibining Pilipinas 2018 rocking her performances in all the rounds of the competition, whether it’s the headshots, press presentation, swimwear or national costume, she is confidently beautiful, all thanks to her hard work and determination that has made her come so far.
(Photo Credits - Rosantonette Mendoza Instagram Official)