AT A GLANCE
"Well I really cannot promise, kasi I'm no Pia naman and Catriona, but I am Arlene, so I will do my best and I believe I'm unique naman," she said.
After winning the title of Mrs. Universe Philippines 2023 last June 18, Arlene Cruz Damot, mother of two kids, is a remarkable woman of many talents and titles.
During her media conference at the Seda Hotel Vertis in Quezon City last Sept. 21, Arlene stated what encouraged her to join pageant.
"When I was young I was bullied because of my appearance, I was chubby and my skin tone was morena, so I just wanna show to everyone that if you set your heart and mind to it, you can be anything that you want to be," Arlene said.
(When I was young I was bullied because of my appearance, I was chubby and my skin tone was morena, so I just wanna show to everyone that if you set your heart and mind to it, you can be anything that you want to be)
She also believed that another reason she joined the pageant was because she shared the same values with the competition.
"I think kaya ko napili sumali dito sa Mrs. Universe, kasi I think that we share the same values and I love being a mom. Mrs. Universe the requirements are actually like if you're married or widowed," Arlene added.
(I think that's why I chose to join Mrs. Universe because I think that we share the same values and I love being a mom. Mrs. Universe, the requirements are actually like if you're married or widowed)
Despite being the CEO of an aesthetic clinic, training in pageant, and becoming a mom, Arlene added that it's all about time management to make her work easier.
"Time management talaga, of course, family first muna, that's my priority and then for being an entrepreneur, and then a mom, and then a beauty queen as well, time management talaga is very important," she added.
(Time management really, of course, family first, that's my priority and then for being an entrepreneur, and then a mom, and then a beauty queen as well, time management is really very important)
Embarking on her first pageant, Arlene made sure to prepare her well-being from physical to mental health and the other pageant matters.
"For the preparations, of course, you need to be healthy and fit, so I go to the gym, and I also go to the spa. So I will be mentally and physically healthy. Secondly for Pasarela naman, I am being trained by Ian Mendajar, and for the gowns naman we have collaborated with different designers," Arlene said.
(For the preparations, of course, you need to be healthy and fit, so I go to the gym, and I also go to the spa. So I will be mentally and physically healthy. Secondly for Pasarela, I am being trained by Ian Mendajar, and for the gowns, we have collaborated with different designers)
Competing against a hundred candidates from different countries. Arlene mentioned that she may not be Catriona Grey or Pia Wurtzbach, but she will do her best to get the title.
"Well I really cannot promise, kasi I'm no Pia naman and Catriona, but I am Arlene, so I will do my best and I believe I'm unique naman," she said.
(Well I really cannot promise, because I'm no Pia and Catriona, but I am Arlene, so I will do my best and I believe I'm unique)
Witness the beauty and elegance as the candidates of the 46th Mrs. Universe 2023 compete for the crown on Oct. 8, at 6PM in Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport Resorts World in Pasay City.
