Gabrielle Basiano now reigns as president of non-profit organization

May 3 ------ Former beauty queen Gabrielle Basiano continues to dazzle on and off the stage after her reign as Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2022. I’m proud of her for successfully putting my beloved hometown, Borongan, Eastern Samar, on the map of beauty pageants. I remember a part of her winning answer during the competition about how she would deal with fake news and negative comments criticizing her looks, intelligence and how she lives. “I will always remind women that we are strong, independent, and courageous because these are the traits that are very critical to the complicated roles that we women play in society,” she replied confidently. 

But did you know that Gabby’s childhood dream was to be a model who sashays on the runway? “I was inspired by Victoria’s Secret fashion shows. I couldn’t join workshops then because we couldn’t afford them. When I got to train through pageantry, I took it and fell in love with it,” she shares. Gabby believes in the saying, ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’ She explains, “Beauty is perceived differently by each person, shaped by unique experiences, preferences and values. What may seem beautiful to one might go unnoticed by another.” For Gabby, a person is beautiful inside and out when someone’s heart has compassion and genuine care for people and whose actions uplift others. Her beauty icon is Anne Curtis. “I love her confidence, natural beauty, and versatility.” 

More than just a pretty face, Gabby is an empowered woman who uses her voice to create meaningful change for the country. “I stand tall because of the women who came before me, and I strive to be that same source of strength for others. I am an empowered woman, not just because of what I’ve achieved, but because I refuse to stop growing, learning and leading,” she shares. Gabby equates leading with serving people as she now reigns as president of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Las Piñas Water Lily, a non-profit organization committed to community development and service. “Through JCI, I have the privilege of engaging in a lot of meaningful community work, making a positive impact while continuing to grow and learn from others.” 

The former beauty queen never sits idle on her throne. While she wears various hats as a host, beauty pageant judge and model, Gabby also devotes her time as a staunch mental health advocate, focusing on grief support. “This cause is deeply personal to me, as I have experienced the difficulty of healing after losing a loved one. It’s crucial to provide a safe space where people feel heard and supported while gently reminding them that, no matter how overwhelming the pain feels today, brighter days will eventually come,” she says. Gabby hopes that sharing her experiences can give valuable support and healing to people who experience difficult times.  

Source: philstar.com