Beauty queen, Kasley Malaika Libres, wins first runner up in the Little Miss Universe 2019 (Teen category) in Tbilisi, Georgia. | Photo courtesy of Malayka Yamas
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Although she did not bring home the crown, Kasley Malaika Libres was still successful in her mission.
The 12-year-old Cebuana beauty queen finished first runner-up in Little Miss Universe 2019 (Teen category) held at Tbilisi, Georgia in Europe on May 9.
Another Cebuana beauty queen, 13-year-old Sarah Nichole Filtness, won the Little Miss Universe 2019 crown (Pre-teen category) in the Tbilisi, Georgia beauty pageant.
Filtness hails from Moalboal town in southern Cebu.
Read more: Girl from Moalboal wins Little Miss Universe 2019 crown
For Libres, she will bring home to Cebu the lessons she learned during the pageant.
“I learned to make friends, have fun, just loosen up and enjoy,” she said.
During the pageant, she made friends with candidates from Australia, India, Ukraine, Siberia, Georgia, and Vietnam.
Whether win or lose, the important thing is she was able to keep her new friends.
“What is important is that when I get back home, I am gonna be bringing all the happy memories, activities, and bondings we had with the other candidates. The crown and title is a bonus for me,” she added.
Aside from winning first runner-up, she also bagged Best in National Costume, Best in Talent, and Model of the World.
Her national costume was inspired by Sinulog Festival designed by Malayka Yamas.
During the talent competition, Libres performed a T’boli dance from South Cotabato in Mindanao.
“I know I did my best, and I had fun and I just leave the result to God. Before I went to the awarding ceremony, I prayed that if this is my time, it will happen. If it is not, then please give it to the rightful and deserving winner,” she said.
Miss Vietnam Nguyen Ngoc Bao Anh won The Little Miss Universe 2019 (Teen category).
Read more: Cebuana beauty ‘excited, pressured’ to represent PH in Little Miss Universe
Before joining the international pageant, titles under Libres belt were Teen Princess Philippines 2018, Miss North District 8 2017, and Miss Unit 8 2017 first runner-up.
She was also a semifinalist for the Model of the World during the World Championship of Performing Arts 2017.
Libres is a native of Consolacion, northern Cebu and a Grade 7 student from the Maria Montessori International School.
After Little Miss Universe 2019, Libres plans to enjoy her summer break since she has focused too much on her training and pageant preparation.
She also wants to organize to a charity event for children living in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.
“I prayed for this and I was guided by the Holy Spirit to choose them,” she said./dbs