THE Philippines has another achievement to celebrate as Gen Z beauty queen Jasmin Bungay claimed the second runner-up spot in the Miss Globe 2024 pageant.
The coronation night was held in Tirana, Albania on October 16 (Manila time), with Colombia’s Diana Moreno being crowned the Miss Globe 2024.
The Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) congratulated Bungay for her second runner-up finish, saying that she “continually inspired” everyone with her “hard work and dedication” throughout her journey in the international beauty competition.
“Your BPCI family and the Philippines will always be proud of you!” it said.
During the question-and-answer portion, the 26-year-old beauty queen was asked, “As technology changes quickly, how can we make sure we keep real human connections and show empathy in our daily lives?”
Bungay answered, “I believe that with the advancement of technology and also with the abuse that is prevalent now in the technological world, I believe to be empathic is to live in the moment, to make sure that every moment is treasured, not on the screen, but in real life ‘cause only when we have real connections, only when we connect with each other face to face, physically, then we can feel each other, and we can experience the fullness of life.”
Having experience working abroad, the Kapampangan beauty queen advocates for the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Before joining the Binibining Pilipinas 2024 pageant, Bungay worked as a supply chain and logistics worker in the Middle East. She was also a teacher with a degree in mathematics.
Bungay was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2024 in July, succeeding Anna Lakrini, who was crowned second runner-up in the Miss Globe 2023 pageant.
Currently, the Philippines has won two Miss Globe crowns courtesy of Ann Lorraine Colis in 2015 and Maureen Montagne in 2021.
Championing OFWs
Before the pageant’s coronation night, Bungay unveiled her national costume that represented the aspirations and dreams of every OFW.
She was clad in a midnight blue modern Filipiniana with a high slit and a hood. The costume, designed by Cholo Ayuyao, was called “Bituing Marikit.”
“Inspired by the nights when OFWs wonder and watch the night sky in the deserts of the Middle East, playing back moments and memories with their families; hoping for the fruition of their sacrifices, of their toiling,” Bungay said.
She added, “When midnight blue envelopes the world, each twinkle of a star is a prayer of every OFW dreaming of home.”
Proud kababayans
Meanwhile, many Filipino netizens congratulated Bungay for the country’s back-to-back second runner-up finish in the Miss Globe competition.
Among those who congratulated her were her fellow beauty queens, Binibining Pilipinas International 2024 Myrna Esguerra and Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves.
“Can’t wait to hear about your journey Bading,” said Esguerra in her Instagram story.
“Congratulations queen,” Cordoves wrote in her Instagram story.
