Katarina Rodriguez on Miss Mexico: 'That crown was never mine and somehow always hers'
Model-turned-beauty queen Katarina Rodriguez was gracious even after failing to bring home the 2017 Miss Intercontinental title.
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Veronica Salas Vallejo of Mexico was chosen to be the successor of Miss Intercontinental 2016 Heilymar Rosario Velazquez who hails from Puerto Rico.
Katarina took to Instagram to share her pageant experience and explained her journey to becoming a real woman.
She posted “I came to Egypt for one thing and one thing only: the Miss Intercontinental crown. This crown to me represented my becoming a real woman. Myself, and DOZENS of people behind me dedicated so much time and effort to ensure I would win. I cannot say I would have done anything differently because I was very aware from the moment I stepped into the NAIA airport of every action and word I produced. I can tell you that after rewatching the coronation last night I can confidently say I was FLAWLESS. Never had I been more ready for anything in my life. I had hundreds of thousands of people right behind me and each of you were the gas to my fire. It was not about me anymore it was about YOU.”
The former Asia’s Next Top Model finalist also recounted the moment when she had to pick up the Miss Intercontinental crown after it fell off Miss Mexico’s head.
“Here is the thing though, a queen does not necessarily have to be flawless. The Intercontinental crown did fall off Miss Mexico’s head when she was crowned and YES, I did have to pick it up and hand it to her. How could I not say it was such a painful thing for me to do?”
She added that Veronica Salas Vallejo deserves the crown more than her and pleaded with her Pinoy fans not to speak ill of her.
“But when giving the crown to her I swear to you there was this energy that went through her and straight to me and this is where I knew I am no longer a child but a woman. Seeing her beautiful face while handing it back to her, well, I felt PROUD for her, and no pain at all. It was the lightest feeling I have felt in weeks. That crown was never mine and somehow always her’s. I don’t want to read any comments talking superstitions or anything hurtful especially from my Filipinos.”
Finally, Katarina wished the best for Miss Mexico as she begins her reign as 2017 Miss Intercontinental.
“Congratulations to Miss Mexico @veritosalasvallejo the new Miss Intercontinental 2017! You are a vision, truly…. Vero is a queen and she is MY queen, MY Miss Intercontinental 2017. She is a sweetheart and very much deserving. She taught me grace by her energy and warmth in a matter of seconds and only a true queen could empower another woman in such a manner. Let us keep that grace Philippines, for this is only the beginning. Viva Mexico, Viva Pilipinas.”