Before joining Bb. Pilipinas, this contestant was a SEA games gold medalist

If a heart of a champion is what it takes to win the crown, then Binibining Pilipinas hopeful Camille Manalo has a great chance of winning.

The beauty queen from Cavite is a former member of the Philippine national taekwondo team. In 2011, she won a gold medal for the country at the Southeast Asian games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Manalo also won medals for the University Santo Tomas in the same sport before she graduated with a degree in Library and Information Science.

This is Manalo's first attempt at Binibining Pilipinas or any other pageant title — and it may be her last, as she is at the cutoff age of 26 years old. Unlike the majority of candidates, Manalo is not represented by a big talent management agency.

Will it be a crown after the gold medal? One thing's for sure: Manalo will put up a good fight. —JST, GMA News