Kelsey Meritt is the first Filipino to be featured on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue

After being the very first Filipino Victoria's Secret Angel, Kelsey Merritt has become the first Filipino featured on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

"These are goals that I've always had as a model — or as a Filipino model. This is something that I wanted to give to our country because they've always wanted representation especially in a company like Sports Illustrated. It's huge and being able to give that to my country and I'm able to sort of let them into the experience," Kelsey said in an interview with Sports Illustrated Now.

The model said she wanted to be featured on Sports Illustrated badly not just for herself but also for her country.

"It's amazing to be able to do this and to be the first is pretty insane. But this has always been my goal. I wanted to do this because there's never been a Filipino to do it, so I wanted it so bad not just for me but for my country as well," she continued.

Kelsey is among the eight models — or "rookies" as they'd say — of this year's Swimsuit edition, who are competing against each other to become Rookie of the year.

Kelsey is going up against Camille Kostek, Tara Lynn, Jasmine Sanders, Haley Kalil, Halima Aden, Winne Harlow and Olivia Brower.

According to Sports Illustrated the winner will be chosen based on "combination of popular vote and editor's choice and an evaluation of proven history as an SI Swimsuit brand ambassador."

Netizens can vote for their chosen Rookie until May 17, when the polls close. — LA, GMA News