MISS UNIVERSE Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados represents Talisay, Cebu.
The 23-year-old Cebuana is a seasoned pageant queen, having joined a number of local pageants in the past.
Her first shot at a national beauty pageant was when she joined the Miss World Philippines 2014, where she made it to the top 15.
This makes Miss Universe Philippines her first national crown.
A tourism graduate from the University of San Jose-Recoletos, Gazini is an only child raised by a single mother.
In her Binibining Pilipinas 2019 introductory video, the model-turned-beauty queen paid tribute to her mother who “honed and molded me to become the strong independent woman I am today.”
Gazini also grew up with her grandparents, whom she calls “nanay” and “tatay.”
They are the reason Gazini’s main advocacy in Binibining Pilipinas 2019 is elderly care.
She writes in her June 6 Instagram post: “To my nanay and tatay this is for you.
“Aging will always be part of one’s life, so getting old should not be greeted with fear…
“More than anything else, it should be embraced and celebrated. It should be seen as a phase of culmination of everything beautiful about our individual lives…
“An important part of my Bininining Pilipinas journey is my social cause for our SENIOR CITIZENS.
“Right from the start, I’ve been actively campaigning for more opportunities and programs for our elderly population.
“As i go around the elderly havens, I’ve seen the need to lobby for more facilities for them, where they can still be allowed to be productive and to pursue greater things with the help of the GOVERNMENT, their FAMILIES, and respective COMMUNITY.
“Aside from ensuring them with a GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE, I’ve learned that helping them attain a SOCIALLY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE beyond their retirement is vital to their HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT.
“I will never get tired to tell the whole world, that my grandparents are the one who helped my single mom in raising me.
“With this advocacy, I want to honor them, by doing my best in using my platform, to make their years more exciting and worth looking forward to…”
Based on her Instagram’s posts, Gazini is a frequent traveler, and loves going to the beach.
As befitting her aspiration to become a beauty queen, Gazini keeps herself fit and healthy.
She goes to the gym, does yoga, and eats a vegetarian diet.
Gazini was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2019 on June 9, 2019, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City.
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AIKO MELENDEZ starts taping for her first GMA-7 teleserye, Prima Donnas, where she plays Kendra.
She stated this on her Facebook post earlier today, June 10.
Aiko, who will play Kendra in the series, said that she also looks forward to working with director Gina Alajar.
The 43-year-old actress wrote (published as is), “Today marks my first day of work for GMA. Excited with little sleep but, I’m delighted to be working with direk Gina Alajar. Im sure i will be learning so many acting tips from her.
“So today, I humbly embrace Kendra as this is my new role, for PRIMA DONNA.
“So me bago na kayo tatawagin sa akin. KENDRA! Ang aabangan nyo araw araw sa hapon. Expect a different Aiko Melendez.
“Mabuhay mga kapuso!!!
“Salamat Po Lord Jesus kasi lagi magandang role napupunta po sa akin Im humbled!! Your love is amazing . All for your glory!”
On Instagram, Aiko posted photos of her look for the Kendra character.
On her caption, Aiko wrote, “Meet #Kendra” Prima Donnas is Aiko’s first full-length teleserye with GMA-7, after being with ABSCBN for nine years. Her last teleserye with ABS-CBN was the fantasy series Bagani, aired in 2018.
Aiko was supposed to be part of the upcoming ABS-CBN drama series SanDugo, but she had to beg off because she wanted to focus on campaigning for her boyfriend, Jay Khonghun.
Prima Donnas will be topbilled by three GMA-7 up-andcoming teen actresses: Jillian Ward, Sofi a Pablo, and Althea Ablan.
Also part of the upcoming afternoon series are Wendell Ramos, Katrina Halili, Chanda Romero, and Benjie Paras.
GMA-7 has yet to announce Prima Donna’s airing date.