Fil-Am anti-trafficking advocate qualifies for 2013 Mrs. International pageant

Filipino-American Adelaida Peterson, the reigning Mrs. Missouri, will be participating in the 2013 Mrs. International pageant in Chicago, Illinois on July 19 to 20 next year. She will be competing with over 80 other candidates at the Northshore Center for the Performing Arts in Chicago in 2013, the official website of Mrs. International said.  

 

The 32-year-old Peterson will be representing the state of Missouri. She was named Mrs. Missouri on August 31 this year.

 

Mrs. International, a pageant spanning over two decades, promotes the accomplishments of married women and their commitment to their families.

 

Those who are qualified to join the pageant are women who are:

 

 

The contestants compete in three categories namely:

Each contestant will select a cause that they will promote for a year.

 

A battle against human trafficking

In an interview with GMA News Online, Peterson said she chose human trafficking as her platform or cause because it was the “2nd largest illegal business in the world because it is one crime that is man against man.” “I wanted to find a way to speak up against human trafficking and have a bigger stage to do so and I thought, if I get all dolled up, stay in shape, join some premiere pageant that puts importance not just in beauty and being physically fit but also in having a great social cause, then I have a good chance. It worked, thankfully,” she said.  

“Imagine if it was your daughter or niece or sister being trafficked, instinct will just tell you to act on it,” Peterson said.

 

Peterson also mentioned that joining the pageant was not easy but there were several memorable moments.

 

“I am a first timer in all things pageant. The hardest part was making sure I stay in shape, working out five days a week. The most fun part was the gown, the crown, the sash, the people you meet.”

 

Aside from this, she is a publisher of children’s books and prioritizes her 3 kids who are attending school whenever she isn’t busy with house chores.

 

As for her plans, she wishes to revisit the Philippines when she is free and will continue to be an ambassador who fights for human rights.

 

“Just be strong and know that if we work together and stand united, we hopefully can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Peterson said.

 

Filipino roots

 

Peterson was born and raised in the Philippines until she decided 10 years ago to migrate to the US with her husband, Mark.

 

Mark is an American that she met through a colleague.

 

Before leaving for the US, Peterson was an early childhood educator. She studied elementary and high school at the Siena College in Quezon City before taking up B.S. Psychology at the Centro Escolar University in Manila.

 

“I graduated BS Psychology from CEU Manila. Elementary and high school in Siena College Q.C., also a preschool teacher there,” she said.

 

She continued her career path in Florida by opening her own licensed day care business.

However, she and her family moved to Missouri last year because of her husband's job transfer.

 

Peterson was in the Philippines in April where she celebrated the birthday of her son.

 

She said one of the things she misses about the Philippines is “Filipino food!" especially lechon kawali.

 

Having lived both in the Philippines and the US, Peterson noted the difference between the two countries.

 

“In the US, you do everything by yourself, no maid, and things are fast-paced. In the Philippines, you can easily rely on family members and relatives for help or immediate assistance like keeping an eye on your kids for a while,” she explained.

 

Peterson wishes her parents in the Philippines could live with them in the US but admits this was not possible at the moment.

 

“I can't because my dad has a business there that he loves and of course my mom has to stay with him,” she said.

 

“I am close to my family, they come here to visit me and my husband and kids or we come visit them,” she added.

To her fellow Filipinos, Peterson said: “Mga kababayan, tulungan nyo po akong makamit ang titulong Mrs. International 2013 sa July in Chicago. Pwede po tayong mag-online voting on April 1, 2013 at www.mrsinternational.com,” she said.  - VVP, GMA News