Bb. Pilipinas candidate reveals being a PUI; turns to selling street food amid pandemic
Although the coronation night of the Binibining Pilipinas 2020 has yet to be rescheduled, the prestigious beauty pageant has recently uploaded the introduction videos of its candidates.
One of those who stood out is Binibini 19, Kimberly Anne Tiquestiques, who shared her experience as a person under investigation (PUI) and how she turned to peddling street food amid the pandemic to survive.
Binibini 19, Kimberly Anne Tiquestiques / @kimtiquestiques (IG)
Kimberly Anne Tiquestiques won the Binibining Bulacan 2019 title last January and she is currently vying for the crown in Binibining Pilipinas 2020 as candidate or Binibini 19.
In her introduction video, Kimberly revealed how she surpassed two major trials during the pandemic. The first one is being a PUI.
According to Kimberly, she began feeling symptoms back in March 19, just a few days after the enhanced community quarantine began.
When she had herself checked, she was considered a PUI since she had a travel history to Manila.
“During that period, ang laki ng kalaban ko.
"Mula March 19 to April 15, ang laki ng struggle kasi yung virus, yung pandemic na 'to.
"Hindi lang yung katawan mo yung inaatake niya, hindi lang yung immune system mo, kundi yung pag-iisip mo 'tsaka yung faith mo kay God.
“Kasi mapapatanong ka talaga, 'Bakit ako? Ano'ng mali?' Parang ganun, 'di ba, guys?
“Thankfully naman, nandiyan yung family ko, mga kaibigan ko, yung mga nagmamahal sa akin…nire-remind nila ako na 'yon magiging okay din lahat.
“Thankfully, naging cleared ako as PUI.”
After surviving being a PUI, the next hurdle Kimberly had to face was generating income as their savings have already been tapped out.
“Another [thing] na kinaharapan natin ay kailangan natin ng income.
"So, paano ako magkakaroon ng income? So 'yon nga, naisip ko po na magtinda.
“Yes, I am proud to be [a] tindera. Nagtitinda po ako ng mga fishballs, kikiam, and other street foods.
“Actually, hindi na siya bago sa akin, e. Kasi, way back high school, nagtitinda na talaga ako tuwing summer vacation.
“Kasi 'yon nga, kailangan ko ng income, siyempre, past time na rin before.
"But now, more of income talaga kasi gusto kong makatulong sa pamilya ko…mabili yung pangangailangan lalo't naubos yung ipon dahil dun sa nag-PUI ako, ang daming gastusin.
“So 'yon, kailangan, guys, marunong tayong dumiskarte sa buhay. Kailangan patuloy tayong lumaban at huwag tayong susuko.
“Kailangan nating magtulung-tulong para malampasan natin 'to.
"Let's always remember this pandemic has changed a lot of things [for] us. But one thing will remain…that is we are not alone.
“We have our family, our friends, and most importantly, we have God with us.”
By sharing her experience, Kimberly hopes to become an inspiration to everyone who is struggling during the pandemic.
You can watch Kimberly's full introduction video below.
For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.
And for updates on the Coronavirus Disease pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine, visit GMA's COVID-19 page and ECQ page.
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