MISS Tourism World Intercontinental 2019 Francesca Taruc is officially back in her home city as she paid a courtesy call to Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Vice-Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno a week after she won the international crown.
During Monday’s flag raising rites, Taruc was warmly welcomed by city government officials, employees, friends, and fans who have been supporting her throughout her 23-day pageant journey in Nanjing, China.
A Certificate of Distinction was awarded by the city government to Taruc “for giving pride to the city and its people.” The recognition was also bestowed to her as “a manifestation of the local government’s appreciation to her achievements that placed Angeleña beauty, confidence and wit to the international pageant arena”.
In an interview with the 20-year old lass, she expressed that joining beauty pageants has been her holy grail since she was young. As she pursues her dreams of becoming a beauty queen, Taruc has earned local and national titles such as the Mutya ning Angeles -Youth Ambassador in 2017 and Miss Freedom of the World-Philippines in 2018.
“Honestly, it still hasn’t sunk in yet. I still remember attending the flag ceremony here to ask for your support and now, you are all congratulating me,” she said.
Talking about her plans after winning the first international crown for the Philippines for 2019, Taruc will go back to China early this year to fulfill her duties as an international ambassadress.
She is also poised to pursue a career in show business and join Binibining Pilipinas with the hopes of bringing home another international crown for the country. She will also be active in charities and other meaningful causes, she said.
Meanwhile, Nepomuceno pledged that the city government will always support her in her future endeavors.
For his part, Pamintuan paid homage to Francesca’s grandfather Hukbalahap Supremo Luis Taruc and father, former city councilor Dr. Romy Taruc who are symbols of heroism, patriotism, and philanthropy.
“Angeles City is indeed privileged to have a beauty queen whose backstory is more than the usual plot of failure and conquest. You are destined to triumph and give pride to the city just like the legacy of your ancestors,” Pamintuan told Taruc.
Francesca, or Fran as she is fondly called by her family and friends, was born in San Luis town and was raised in Angeles City. She holds a degree in Communication Arts at Holy Angel University. (PR)