After winning the Miss International Philippines 2017 title during the Binibining Pilipinas 2017 pageant, Mariel De Leon became everyone’s favorite contestant and all eyes are on her to win the Miss International 2017 title back-to-back for her country. Mariel is all set to compete in Miss International 2017 in Japan, where the reigning titleholder is her predecessor Kylie Verzosa.
Get to know some facts about the lady for whom everyone is cheering on for a back-to-back win for the Philippines at this year's Miss International pageant!
1. Mariel’s parents are actors, Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong.
Mariel's parents are famous actors and after her victory, Sandy posted her daughter’s photos on Instagram, thanking Mariel's friends, family, supporters, and mentors. "I am thankful and grateful to our loving and faithful God almighty. Our princess is now a queen," she wrote.
2. This is her second time competing in Bb Pilipinas International
Mariel joined the pageant in 2013, at the age of 19. Even then, she was considered one of the favorites to win. Mariel placed in the Top 15 that year, while Ariella Arida won the Miss Universe Philippines title.
3. Mariel is an opera singer and is part of the group The Opera Belles.
Mariel got inspiration from her parents that have shaped her love for art. "Movies and music helped shaped how I think and who I am today. Besides those factors, my dad being a hippie and my mom being artistic added to that too. Everyone in my family is into arts, actually, but each has their own specialty," she said.
4. Mariel is also an inspiring beauty teacher
Mariel once told in an interview: "I love watching makeup videos. Someday I hope to make my own videos and post them online."
5. Besides watching makeup tutorials, Mariel also loves to watch and observe people
"I love absorbing my surroundings and watching people around me. If I could just sit in a nice little cafe all day and just watch people, I would," she said. That makes quite obvious about her liking towards observing surroundings and people.
6. Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach inspired Mariel to join the competition.
A month before the competition, she was asked that why she decided to try her luck at the pageant again. She answered: "It was this just this year when I realized that I should try again. I was definitely inspired by Pia Wurtzbach and I felt something in my heart. It was like a spark that just went off,” she said.
Our best wishes are with Mariel and we hope that she will be able to win the crown and make her country proud!