by Annalyn S. Jusay, Manila Bulletin
She is an achiever-beauty queen who has managed to snag two international beauty titles within the last five years. Yesterday, 24-year-old Kathleen Paton faced the media fresh from being crowned Miss Eco International 2022 in Cairo, Egypt.
It was another proud moment for the Philippines as Kathleen bested 40 other candidates from all over the world. Beauty watchers were quick to point out that her win heralds an auspicious start for the country in the competitive pageant circuit.
The new Miss Eco International was a vision in pink as she made her entrance at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom in an elegant gown specially made for her by young designer Ryan A. Uson.
“There were a lot of expectations from everyone and I can just say I gave it my 110%,” Kathleen said in reply to the question on what she thought was the factor that made her win. She added that “being honest, being kind and being approachable mattered a lot. Aside from this, I made sure my behavior and attitude were up to par as a beauty queen.”
“Winning Miss Eco International is an honor and also a responsibility for me. I don’t see it as a dream that I just get the crown. I see it as a career and a purpose for me because I love to help people. I know that with this crown, am given an even bigger platform to reach a wider community. I am able to voice my advocacies related to mental health awareness, education and water conservation,” she pointed out.
As a woman in a very high profile field, Kathleen feels strongly about mental health issues. She revealed that she had to battle her own demons after encountering some people online who criticized her physical appearance and some other personal matters.
The beauty queen has advice for people who are mean and can’t control themselves on social media.
“We need to just learn to be nice, to be kind. You have to look within yourself and ask if the things you are saying are going to affect other people or not. Because if it’s not nice or kind, what’s the point of saying it in the first place? Ask yourself: are you treating other people the way you want to be treated? Are the words you are writing online the words you want to hear other people being said to you? If it’s not, there’s no point in your writing that,” she remarked.
Kathleen also gave valuable advice to young girls who want to join beauty contests. “If you want to become a candidate, just join and try. There will always be people to help you out. Joining a pageant is the perfect platform for when you want to live for a purpose and a cause. You will reach a wide community in being able to change something in society.”
The half-Aussie beauty revealed that she is enthusiastic to join showbiz after her reign but admitted that she has to improve her Tagalog. Kathleen is presently in a relationship with model Kirk Bondad who was adjudged Mr. Supranational Philippines 2021.
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