How the ‘Bayanihan’ spirit led beauty queen Beatriz Mclelland to Hollywood

September 3 ------ Seasoned pageant queen Francesca Beatriz Abalajon Mclelland has raised the Philippine flag so valiantly on different international stages, but now she is setting her sights on Hollywood. The reigning Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas titleholder has signed up with Legacy Entertainment, based in Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, the entertainment capital of the world.

Mclelland said it was through the Filipino community in LA that she was able to land a deal with the agency, headed by Filipino-American Maria Damian, who also happens to be an Aklanon just like her. Married Filipino-American couple Darwin Quijano and Jensen Carlo Quijano of Darsen12 Foundation, who Mclelland has been friends with for a while now, introduced her to Damian.

“I feel incredibly fortunate that here in California, the Filipino community is very close-knit and supportive. There is a genuine sense of bayanihan — Filipinos helping one another not only personally, but also in our different careers and aspirations,” Mclelland told Inquirer Entertainment in an interview.

“Maria saw potential in me and in what I could bring beyond pageantry. She recognized my experience as a beauty queen, model, advocate and public personality, but she also saw opportunities for me to grow and explore other areas of the entertainment industry. That eventually led to my partnership with Legacy Entertainment, and I’m very grateful and excited to see where this new chapter takes us,” she continued.

Aside from the 2026 Reina Hispanoamericana pageant held in Bolivia in February, where she placed in the semifinals, Mclelland was also crowned Miss Teen Intercontinental at the 2020 Miss Teen International pageant in India. In 2022, she finished second at the Miss Eco Teen International pageant held in Egypt.

She said she sees this new chapter in her life as an opportunity to grow and discover something new about herself. “With Legacy Entertainment, I hope to showcase not only my own abilities but also the artistry, craftsmanship, beauty and talent that Filipinos have to offer,” she said. “I want to continue being an advocate and use this new platform to represent our culture with pride while showing that Filipino talent belongs on a global stage,” continued Mclelland.

Curiously, though, getting in the entertainment industry was not something she thought of doing, even though she has enjoyed her time under the spotlight through the various beauty pageants she has taken part in. “When I came to California, one of my biggest intentions was simply to spend more time with my family after years of being very focused on pageantry and the different commitments that came with it,” Mclelland shared. “I’ve always believed that some of the most meaningful opportunities are the ones you don’t necessarily plan for. Pageantry opened so many doors for me, but it also taught me that there is a much bigger world beyond the pageant stage,” she said.

Mclelland said she is looking forward to the “challenge” that her new endeavor outside of pageantry will bring her. “I want to continue evolving while staying grounded in my roots and carrying the Philippines with me wherever this journey leads,” she said. But has she completely said goodbye to pageantry? Mclelland said she still has not closed her door on strapping her heels to chase a crown. But for now, she is focused on her new role as a brand ambassadress for Legacy Entertainment, and to spend more time with her family.

“Pageantry will always be a very special part of who I am. It shaped me, gave me the privilege of representing the Philippines internationally, and introduced me to experiences and people that changed my life. I will always be grateful for that,” she said.

Source: inquirer.net