Miss Philippines

Katarina Sonja Rodriguez is a stunning 24 year old athlete-turned-model-turned-beauty queen. She finished Philosophy and Business Administration at the De La Salle University. Fans loved her when she represented the Philippines alongside Jodilly Pendre in the second season of Asia’s Next Top Model. She was a runner-up in the said reality show.

In an interview, she mentioned that she has decided to join Bb. Pilipinas as fans and friends would always ask her to enter the pageant world. It was a little later when she realized that she too has gained interest in it and realized that it could be a platform where she can campaign and continue on her advocacy in life. She took to her Instagram account the said advocacy on being healthy and fit which also pushes the #SaveSexy campaign that promotes HIV/AIDS awareness. She once said that “My family has taught me to work hard and well for everything I want and need, and once you have excess, they’d say, you extend a helping hand to those who have less. I have worked hard to have enough for myself and a little more to give back.”

After having been crowned as 2017 Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental, Katarina had to clear the confusion that she is not accepting her crown. She had asked the public to stop making assumptions and said it is not true and that she is sleeping with her Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental crown. For which has led her to excelling in her training up to her representing the Philippines in the recently concluded Miss Intercontinental which was held at the SUNRISE Garden Beach Resort in Hurghada, Egypt.

Pilipinas! Alam ko na nahihirapan tayo sa pagboto para sa akin pero huwag po sana kayong mawalan ng pag-asa sa akin at sa Miss Intercontinental organization. Naniniwala ako na kung tayo ay magkakaisa sa panalangin sa ating Panginoon, maiuuwi natin ang minimithing panalo na ang rason kung bakit ako nandito para makuha ang korona ng Miss Intercontinental. Alam ko po na maraming nagnanais bumoto para sa akin ngunit nahihirapan dahil hindi makaboto pero lagi po nating tatandaan na sa pananalig natin sa Papa Jesus, kahit gaano man ka-negatibo ang ating nararamdaman, malalampasan natin ito at mapagtagumpayan. Sama-sama po tayong magdasal at gagawin ko lahat ng aking makakaya para makuha ang korona para sa inyo, para sa ating bansa at para kay God. Marami pong salamat sa inyong walang sawang suporta at pagmamahal at sana manatili po tayong positibo. Sa lahat po ng natatanggap kong suporta sa inyo aking mga kababayan, MARAMING SALAMAT PO. ?????? Philippines! I know that the voting has not been working and for me specifically, but please do not give up hope on me or Miss Intercontinental. Instead just pray to Papa Jesus that I win what I came here for, the crown. I know everyone wants to vote and is frustrated that they cannot vote, but let us remember by grace through faith and that being negative no matter how heavy a feeling we have will help us triumph. Please pray with me and I will do my best here to perform for you, our country and God. Thank you so much for your passion, but let us keep positive. With all the gratitude in this universe, thank you. ?? ??? #MissIntercontinental #MissIntercontinental2017 #MIO2017 #TheMostBeautifulWomenOfAllContinents #Egypt #SUNRISEResorts #SUNRISECrystalBay #SUNRISEMeetsBeauty #KatareynaMIO2017

A post shared by KATARINA (@katarinarodri) on Jan 21, 2018 at 6:25am PST

During the pageant’s finals night, Katarina Rodriguez was declared as Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania as she placed third in the online voting of the pageant. So, her plea for support in the photo above that she posted in Instagram resulted positively.

During the Q&A, Katarina was asked as to what is the most important thing she learned in joining Miss Intercontinental. Her answer was “The most important thing that I have learned in joining Miss Intercontinental is an Arabic word named after one of the Sunrise Resorts and that is Meraki. It means to do all things with passion, soul, and creativity. When I heard this word and its definition, it resonated with me until now and I think it will for the rest of my life. Therefore, that is the most important thing I learned while participating at Miss Intercontinental. That is to do all things with soul, passion, and creativity.”

Here is the EXACT moment where I turned FULLY into a woman. Congratulations to Miss Mexico @veritosalasvallejo the new Miss Intercontinental 2017! You are a vision, truly. 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. 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? 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. 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. ?????

A post shared by KATARINA (@katarinarodri) on Jan 24, 2018 at 11:54pm PST

Katarina gracefully accepted ending the pageant as 1st runner-up. I personally think that the experiences, friendships and learning she gained by representing the Philippines has changed her and in her words, she “turned FULLY into a woman”. She actually has a beautiful message of love and congratulations she also posted in her Instagram account for the newly crowned Miss Intercontinental Veronica Salas Vallejo of Mexico.

We can definitely say that Katarina Rodriguez has represented our country so well and although we all wanted her to take home the crown and be the first Filipina to win the title, she is still a queen.