The victory of newly crowned Miss International 2017 Kevin Lilliana of Indonesia is also a victory for the Filipino people.
Many may not know it but Lilliana trained under the Kagandahang Flores beauty camp under Rodgil Flores months before the international competition.
Lilliana, a fashion model from Indonesia, trained then with Miss Earth Karen Ibasco of the Philippines and Miss Grand Indonesia 2017 Dea Rizkita.
“At one point in time, Lilliana trained with Rachel Peters, our country’s representative to the 2017 Miss Universe beauty contest,” the source said.
Miss Japan Natsuki Tsutsui, who won 4th runner-up in Miss International 2017 pageant, also got pageant lessons from the KF camp for quite sometime.
This is the first time that Indonesia won in the 57-year history of the Miss International beauty contest. Lilliana was crowned in Tokyo, Japan last Tuesday night.
Lilliana and Natsuki’s victories added another feather to the cap of KF. This year, the beauty camp’s winning streak started with the victory of John Raspado, who was crowned Mr. Gay World 2017 in Spain.
Pageant winners Bb. PIlipinas Globe Nelda Ibe and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Elizabeth Clenci were also trained under KF.
Ibe, the beauty queen pilot, won 1st runner-up in Miss Globe in Albania while Clenci was 2nd runner-up in Miss Grand International in Vietnam.
Sammie Anne Legaspi, who won 1st runner-up in Miss Lumiere International World 2017 in Singapore, was also trained under the same camp.
Jewel of the Philippines United Continents 2017 Sarah Jireh Asido and Ibasco were also “students” of KF who passed with flying colors.
Pageant preparations
Flores recalled what’s it like in his beauty camp few days before the finals of a pageant.
“If you belong to KF camp, we all go to Baclaran church. Regular ‘yan. Yung tutoo hindi na kami nakakatulog. I have to attend to so many details. For example, as the head of KF, I have to see to it that everyone will have good seats, what to wear, how to mobilize everyone, food. It’s not just the tasks for the girls but the people around us,” he added.
“Pati banners, cheerers. If we’re dealing with 16 girls, were dealing with 16 groups and get them organized hanggang coronation time. The logistics lahat. Akala nila, I just distribute the duties to the staff. No! I really maintain and manage the camp,” Flores said.
For those who did not make it in this year’s pageants, Flores said: “May options. There are always options in life.
Join another national pageant or wait next year if the age is still eligible.”
Flores admits that national pageants are getting more competitive. “Actually, pahirap na ng pahirap ang national pageants. Our queens would tell us mas mahirap pa ang national pageants kesa sa mga international pageants. Pag makakapag-Binibini ka na, madali na ang international pageant sa kanila.”
