Pinay beauty a contender in Teen Earth Girl UK pageant
Jerizza Avancena, a 16-year-old Filipina who has been living in the United Kingdom (UK) since she was a young girl, is one of the candidates for Teen Earth Girl UK this year.
In 2001, when she was only five years old, Avancena migrated to the UK with her parents. They are currently living in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Avancena excels both in academics and sports. She is taking up aviation operations at the Leeds Aviation Academy while studying Physics and Maths at another college.
According to the official site of the pageant, Avancena won 2nd place at a seven-school basketball competition in 2010 aside from "many netball tournaments."
In an interview with GMA News Online on Saturday, Avancena said she loves to travel and wants to become a pilot someday.
On her profile on the pageant website, she said: "What's also important to me is that I one day have a loving and happy family of my own along with a successful career as an airline pilot to give them the experiences that I have enjoyed and appreciated throughout my life."
"I would love to learn more languages but as of now, I know how to speak in Tagalog, English, and French. I also know some Spanish and Ilokano. I would like to see more places, experience new things, meet new people and taste new foods from around the world!"
Avancena definitely has not forgotten her Filipino roots. When asked over the phone if she knew how to speak in Tagalog, she replied: "Opo."
When asked if there was a Filipino she looked up to, she said: “Opo, si Shamcey Supsup kasi po yung personality niya is very thoughtful and inspirational. She is also very beautiful.”
Supsup was the Philippines' bet in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant where she was declared the third runner-up.
Avancena said: “I like the people of the Philippines. They are not only generous but also very cheerful.”
"I went to Tagaytay in 2008 and I really liked the place because it was very beautiful. I also visited the Palace in the sky and it was wonderful,” she said.
Avancena also expressed her gratitude to the Filipinos who are supporting her. “I just like to thank all the people supporting me especially in my hometown in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. I would also like to thank my family and friends,” she said.
“Sana po masuportahan niyo ako habang sumasali ako sa pageant at sana makapagdala ako ng karangalan sa Pilipinas at mga kababayan natin,” she added.
In 2001, when she was only five years old, Avancena migrated to the UK with her parents. They are currently living in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Avancena excels both in academics and sports. She is taking up aviation operations at the Leeds Aviation Academy while studying Physics and Maths at another college.
According to the official site of the pageant, Avancena won 2nd place at a seven-school basketball competition in 2010 aside from "many netball tournaments."
In an interview with GMA News Online on Saturday, Avancena said she loves to travel and wants to become a pilot someday.
On her profile on the pageant website, she said: "What's also important to me is that I one day have a loving and happy family of my own along with a successful career as an airline pilot to give them the experiences that I have enjoyed and appreciated throughout my life."
"I would love to learn more languages but as of now, I know how to speak in Tagalog, English, and French. I also know some Spanish and Ilokano. I would like to see more places, experience new things, meet new people and taste new foods from around the world!"
Avancena definitely has not forgotten her Filipino roots. When asked over the phone if she knew how to speak in Tagalog, she replied: "Opo."
When asked if there was a Filipino she looked up to, she said: “Opo, si Shamcey Supsup kasi po yung personality niya is very thoughtful and inspirational. She is also very beautiful.”
Supsup was the Philippines' bet in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant where she was declared the third runner-up.
Avancena said: “I like the people of the Philippines. They are not only generous but also very cheerful.”
"I went to Tagaytay in 2008 and I really liked the place because it was very beautiful. I also visited the Palace in the sky and it was wonderful,” she said.
Avancena also expressed her gratitude to the Filipinos who are supporting her. “I just like to thank all the people supporting me especially in my hometown in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. I would also like to thank my family and friends,” she said.
“Sana po masuportahan niyo ako habang sumasali ako sa pageant at sana makapagdala ako ng karangalan sa Pilipinas at mga kababayan natin,” she added.
Asked why she decided to join Miss Earth Teen UK, she said: “Well, I was surfing the internet and nakita ko siya sa website ng Miss Earth and I thought it was fun so I joined.”
She said the difficult parts of preparing for the competition were "dieting and going to the gym."
"It takes a toll on your body,” she said.
On the other hand, she said the fun part of getting ready for the pageant was “shopping for the clothes!”
The Miss Earth Teen UK competition will be on September 1 this year.
On the pageant website, she said: “It is our responsibility as habitants of this world to raise awareness to the people in the world.
“Without knowledge people can not act and without action, there will be no improvement. Therefore, I believe that it is also our responsibility to raise awareness, preserve and protect the environment in order for us to be able to pass this beautiful world that we take for granted to the next generations to come,” Avancena said.
“By taking responsibility in our personal actions, we can overall achieve enormous differences that will affect every living thing in our home!” she added. - VVP, GMA News
NBA.com Philippines, the official online site designed specifically for National Basketball Association fans in the country, was launched at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia yesterday. Photo shows (from left) Francesco Suarez, VP, Global marketing partnership, NBA Asia; Enrique Gonzalez, president and CEO, X-Play; former Chicago Bulls center Luc Longley; Kevin Belmonte, president & CEO, philstar.com; Carlo Singson, country manager-Philippines, NBA Asia; and Dan Rosen, director, Digital NBA Asia. JOEY MENDOZA 
