BINIBINING Pilipinas International 2024 Myrna Esguerra has another feather to her cap: a bachelor’s degree in tourism management.
The 22-year-old beauty queen, now an alumna of City College of Angeles, shared her graduation photos on Instagram with a lengthy caption where she reflected on her journey and thanked those who supported her.
“Crown or Diploma? I say why should I choose between [a] diploma and a crown when I can have both?” said Esguerra. “Ma, Pa! Graduate nako- May graduate na kayo, may Beauty Queen pa kayo!”
She also shared a quote from the late South African president Nelson Mandela that helped her overcome challenges and gave her hope in life: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling but in rising every time you fall.”
Esguerra recalled the time when she was only seven years old and had to manage many tasks on her own—from preparing her meals, doing the laundry, and going to school by herself since her mother was working abroad.
“It wasn’t a matter of choice, but of necessity driven by my circumstances,” she said.
Looking at where she is now, the beauty queen could not be prouder of her younger self for fighting “so hard” in life.
“I had to hug myself so many times to continue and I kept on reminding myself of the reasons why I should push through and one of the reasons [was] to prove that no matter who you are or where you came from you can dream BIG and make that dream your reality and I’m happy and proud to share to all of you that I DID IT,” Esguerra wrote.
“It wasn’t easy, it was so hard but because of all the people who showed me love, kindness, understanding, and support, I’m able to do and achieve all these. Kaya maraming salamat po,” she said.
Esguerra then shared an Instagram reel where she could be seen strutting the streets on a rainy day, transitioning to her wearing a graduation toga.
Weeks before her graduation ceremony, Esguerra, the first-time delegate from Abra, bested 39 other hopefuls during the Binibining Pilipinas pageant’s 60th coronation night. She succeeded Binibining Pilipinas International 2023 Angelica Lopez.
The environmental preservation advocate is set to represent the Philippines at the Miss International 2025 pageant.
