“I am officially a Miss Universe Philippines delegate and I'm so proud to be able to say that. It feels so surreal."
These were the words of TikTok star Ayn Bernos as she made it through the initial cut of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant.
The organization recently announced that they were removing the height requirement and for someone like Ayn who stands at 5'3”, the new development finally gave her the opportunity to try out for the pageant.
"This has been many, many years in the making. When I was a kid, I would always stay up late to watch major pageants. I looked up to these beauty queens. I have so much respect for them. I love them so much and I've always wanted to be like them," she shared.
The aspiring beauty queen added, “As a pageant fan, I also knew that I was not qualified. But because I am a fighter and I am a dreamer, I promised myself that the moment I could apply, I would apply."
Ayn relayed that when MUP announced that there will be no height requirements, she applied immediately.
“And so a couple of months ago when Miss Universe Philippines announced that they would be opening the application to everybody. No height requirements. Magic words for me, I applied on the spot," she stated.
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Ayn said that she is joining the pageant to fulfill a promise to her younger self.
“I am not just here to compete. I am here to fulfill a promise that I made myself. Many years ago, I promised young Ayn that I would try if I could. And so I'm here today. And so every young girl out there who dares to dream, it's possible,” she stated.
“Nangarap ako. Kumapit ako. At noong nagkaroon ng pagkakataon, nagpakita ako,” she remarked.
Ayn is representing San Juan City.