Samantha Mae Bernardo was appointed as the new Miss Grand Philippines 2020 on 5th February 2021 and will represent the Philippines at Miss Grand International 2020 next month in Thailand. There were a lot of speculations surrounding who the next Miss Grand Philippines will be because Binibining Pilipinas 2020 is all set to be held on 17th April 2021 but after the announcement all the rumors were put a rest.
The diva has started to prepare for the competition and commenced her campaign by choosing Luneta and the Jose Rizal monument for her first Miss Grand International pictorial which was highly appreciated by the pageant fanatics along with her pageant sister including Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Gazini Ganados, Nicole Cordoves, Karen Ibasco, Bea Santiago, and more. Samantha chose to done an ivory gown and the photographer Gem Tugade skillfully captured a clean shot of the iconic Manila landmark and Samantha with her crown and sash which looked iconic.
Samantha had dreamt of representing the Philippines at international competition for a long time now and she is very grateful to the organization for seeing the potential in her and appointing her as Miss Grand Philippines 2020. In an interview, she mentioned, “As this exciting journey begins, my heart is bursting with gratitude for the numerous people and organizations who took a chance on me and believed in me even when the odds were not in my favor.”
The diva feels over-whelmed with achieving what she had been dreaming and attempting to win several times. She thanked the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. for recognizing her value after two runner-up finishes in the pageant in 2018 and 2019.
Samantha would use the platform of Miss Grand Philippines 2020 to advance her fight against malaria and help in defeating the war against this life-threatening disease. She wants to achieve change and implement health programs in the community and feels blessed and honored that she can make it happen. The diva mentioned, “This is more than just a personal victory for me and I promise to do my best to make our beautiful islands proud, clinch the elusive crown and be the first Filipina Miss Grand International.”
Samantha has already proved her worth in the pageantry as she competed in Binibining Pilipinas 2019 where she was adjudged the first runner-up at the end of the event finale. She was a crowd’s favorite ever since the beginning of the competition.
Before Samantha was confirmed by the international organization, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2019 Aya Abesamis was supposed to carry the Philippine colors in Thailand next month but due to age restrictions, she could not. Nonetheless, Samantha will be one of the strongest contenders at the 2020 edition of Miss Grand International.