MJ Lastimosa says Pinoy fans are her 'source of strength' for Miss Universe 

With only a few days before the Miss Universe pageant, the Philippines' bet MJ Lastimosa said she considers Filipino fans to be her source of strength. 

 

"They are the heartbeat of every representative that's fighting for Miss Universe. They are my source of strength right now," she said in her official pageant interview. 

 

"I claim it, they are the best fans that Miss Universe could ever have," Lastimosa added. 

 

 

In another interview with Portia Cristina Frando of GMA News, the 27-year-old beauty queen said that although she is not active on social media, the other girls vying for the crown make sure her fans' messages are relayed to her. 

 

"All the girls felt how much you love me because everyone has been sending their regards and love whenever they see a post with other girls with me and this is just an amazing support (system)," she said. 

 

Lastimosa also left a message for her Filipino fans during the interview with GMA News. 

 

"To all the Filipinos out there supporting me and appreciating my performance and what I have been doing here in Miss Universe... I am very thankful. Sobrang mahal ko po kayo. Thank you for the prayers. Thank you for the support... Without you guys, I wouldn't be this happy and I wouldn't be this strong facing this competition and facing this journey," she said. 

 

MJ the fighter

 

Aside from thanking her fans, the engineer from North Cotabato shared how it was like growing up in the province when her parents decided to go to the Middle East to work. 

 

"An uncle decided to take us to the province that changed my whole life. It was a war-torn area so I have seen a lot of chaos," Lastimosa shared. 

 

She also said that she fought hard to finish education. She is a graduate of B.S. Computer Engineering from the University of Mindanao. 

 

"I kind of fought for my education because and I really believe that I really have to finish because I really want to make my parents proud," she said.

 

"I knew I love engineering because I love arts, I love to draw, I love math. All the men thought I wouldn't be able to survive it because there would only be a few number of women in the classroom... I'm a fighter. I was able to do it." — Trisha Macas/JST, GMA News