And another Filipina has brought pride to the country! Alexandra Faith Garcia, the first Filipina representative in the pageant’s history, has been crowned Miss Aura International 2021.
Established in 2006, the Miss Aura International competition used to be called Miss Kremer International. Garcia, who bested 40 other candidates, was crowned in Antalya, Turkey.
“Today, in my ‘first’ ever International Pageant I was crowned as the “first” ever Filipina in Ms. Aura International,” Garcia posted on Instagram. “I’m still in awe with all of the things that had happened. Thank you so much everyone for the love & support that you have given me. It would not be possible without all of you.”
Garcia was proclaimed the country’s representative to the competition last July. The Miss Aura Philippines organization initially wanted to hold a national pageant, but due to time constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic, it opted to hold a special screening.
“During the selection process, she won the nod of the organization as she fits the 4Bs qualifications that the international pageant is looking for–beauty, behavior, brain and body,” the organization said.
Miss Aura International isn’t Garcia’s first rodeo in the pageant world. She was a Binibining Pilipinas candidate for its 2016 and the 2020/2021 edition as well as the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014, representing Olongapo City.
It looked like her perseverance paid off, because not only did she win her first international beauty pageant, but she’s the first Pinay to win in the said competition.
Garcia’s journey to Turkey was extra special, as it was the first time she had to apply for a visa in order to travel. “Travelling to Turkey, I need to get a visa and it was actually my “first” ever Visa,” Garcia explained. “During the process, my team had encountered problems with their Passport renewals and Visa processing since it was ECQ during the time in Manila.”
Thankfully, everything worked in her favor, and she was awarded the top plum of the pageant. Congratulations, Alexandra!
Art Daniella Sison
