MISS World Philippines first runner-up Chanel Morales said Tuesday, October 9, she was happy and proud that being a first timer in a beauty pageant, she was able to win as the 1st Princess title during the pageant night held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on October 7.
She told SunStar Bacolod that she was not expecting to win because her competitors were really good and they were all deserving of their respective titles.
"But I did my best during the coronation night and answered the question with so much confidence and was heartfelt because I really experienced body shaming and bullying before. My answer was also a wake-up call for the others to be aware that body shaming is unacceptable," she said.
She added “joining the beauty pageant was a way for me not only to be known but also let other people be aware that they could seek help when they experience body shaming and bullying. I also served as a voice to other girls who are non-beauty queens.”
She said it was a difficult competition on her part because she never joined any pageant before. "It's my first time and I don't have the height and I am not too tall. But never mind those factors because I want to pursue my parents' dream for me to become a beauty queen. The experience itself has molded me to become a better person."
“To all the Negrenses, thank you for all your unending support since the ‘Artista Academy’ days and until now as among the beauty queens of the Miss World Philippines. I am so thankful and proud that I grew up in Bacolod City where I learned so much such as singing, dancing and also had a lot of achievements in Bacolod City where I won as ‘Best News Caster’ in the regional level and represented Bacolod and Visayas in the said competition. I am so thankful and grateful to be called as Negrense and Bacolodnon. Even if I represented Makati City, but in my heart, I will always be a Bacolodnon and a Negrense."
Morales was also awarded Miss Photogenic and Miss Erase Placenta.