Meet the Filipina duo who took center stage at Princess of the Universe beauty pageant
“Hopefully, I'll give my best. I'll have fun and I can bring home any award. It doesn't matter.”
Transcript
00:00 I have trained for months for this and I've dreamed of this since I was a little girl.
00:06 This is such a high-end contest. It's so prestigious.
00:09 I'm going to be representing the Filipino community here in Kapar.
00:13 Even if I don't win the crown, being able to win an award is already a big thing.
00:18 I'm so excited to show the universe what I have.
00:21 I am Mia Janelle Incavo.
00:23 I'm Francesca Concepcion.
00:25 I want to be Princess of the Universe.
00:27 [music]
00:37 I'm 16 years old.
00:38 From a young age, I started modeling.
00:40 It was a hobby for me. I didn't take it that seriously.
00:43 [camera shutter]
00:44 And then over the years, I started to love modeling.
00:47 I've done some fashion shows as well as photo shoots here in Kapar.
00:51 Princess of the Universe, we weren't sure about the entire competition because it was very new to me.
00:56 I haven't heard of the Princess of the Universe.
00:58 And then I thought to myself, "This is going to be a good opportunity and I'm going to take the chance."
01:03 [camera shutter]
01:05 I was given the chance to choose my own advocacy.
01:08 I picked animal welfare because all my life, I've always been supporting different animal rescues and shelters.
01:16 I've been to a lot of shelters in Kapar.
01:19 We would take care of our cats and dogs there.
01:21 My whole entire family will be part of spaying and nurturing stray animals
01:26 so it lessens the homeless animals here in Kapar.
01:29 Animal welfare is so close to my heart.
01:32 It has always been on my mind. It has been part of my life.
01:35 [cat meows]
01:37 I was actually born and raised in the UK, but I am a Filipina.
01:41 I am 18 years old.
01:43 I moved to Kapar at the age of 11.
01:46 I was never into modeling.
01:48 I wasn't even into anything girly, if I'm being honest.
01:51 But as I grew older, I started exploring.
01:54 [camera shutter]
01:55 In 2019, I started officially training in the Philippines over the summer.
02:00 And then I started professionally modeling just last year.
02:03 [camera shutter]
02:04 My love for pageantry helped me with my modeling.
02:08 In pageantry, I look up to Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2018.
02:12 Seeing her story, how she helped the people from Tondo, Manila, inspired me.
02:17 I really want to see my family and my team
02:20 because I wouldn't have been able to achieve this without them.
02:24 I would definitely love to expand the platform that I already have
02:29 in regards to education.
02:31 I work closely with an organization in the Philippines,
02:34 something that I feel very passionately about.
02:36 Not all beauty pageants have to always be about all the beauty,
02:40 makeup, and all the dresses.
02:42 But it's also about your heart, what your passion is.
02:45 [music]
02:46 My advocacy is children with disabilities and special needs.
02:50 And this is heavily influenced by my younger brother.
02:53 He has Down syndrome.
02:55 Ever since he was born, he's always been happy in our house.
02:58 [music]
03:08 He doesn't let his special needs or his disabilities define him.
03:11 So many people underestimate these children, which breaks my heart.
03:16 They can do so much more than what society deems them to be.
03:20 I just want to help them and bring light to this situation.
03:23 [music]
03:29 I am beyond grateful for my family and the love and the support they give to me.
03:33 If I would be crowned the winner, it would be a win for the Filipino community here in Qatar.
03:37 [cheering]
03:38 Hopefully, I will give my best and I can bring home any award. It doesn't matter.
03:43 [music]
03:50 The airplane ride here was very fun because I met so few people on the plane.
03:54 As soon as we got here in London, I already felt the good energy.
03:57 [music]
04:00 I'm so excited for this upcoming competition.
04:03 I'm competing in an international level competition.
04:06 It wasn't until I met all the contestants where everything really felt like this is real.
04:10 [music]
04:19 Princess of the Philippines, 16 years old, Qatar.
04:22 [music]
04:25 This competition has taught me a lot of things, like following my dreams, not giving up on the things that I want to do.
04:30 [cheering]
04:33 Giannelli Cabo, 18 years old.
04:36 The finals are tomorrow. It feels so surreal. It's so exciting. At the same time, very nerve-wracking.
04:42 [music]
04:44 It feels like I'm on cloud nine. I just feel like I'm in a dream right now.
04:48 [music]
04:50 Your first runner-up is Francesca!
04:55 [cheering]
04:56 I just cannot believe that I've just won Princess of the Universe 2023.
05:02 A lot of things are running in my mind. I'm so excited for where this path will take me.
05:07 [music]
05:10 Right now, I feel very relieved because after months of hard work and practice, it paid off being a first runner-up.
05:20 It's an amazing title.
05:22 [music]
05:26 I'm very grateful for all my friends and family in Qatar rooting for me, and also my friends and family here in the UK who are cheering me on the whole time.
05:35 [music]
05:37 As the newly crowned Princess of the Universe 2023, I want to go towards my dream of starting my own charity,
05:43 especially for the children with special disabilities and special needs.
05:47 It's a long-term dream of mine, and I feel like with this title and this crown, I'll be able to do it.
05:52 [music]
05:56 [music fades]