AS we write, reigning Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas Michelle Arceo is on her way to Santa Cruz, Bolivia to represent the Philippines at Reina Hispanoamericana 2023 which will finally be held after being postponed last year.
Arceo won the national title at the finals of Miss Grand Philippines 2023 held at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City in July last year, earning the ticket to the Bolivia-based beauty pageant.
Born to an American father and a Filipino mother, 25-year-old Michelle is not new to the pageant world. She won the ‘Gandang Filipina’ competition of the GMA’s Wowowin in 2017. In 2019, she won Miss BodyCon 2019 at the Music Museum in San Juan City.
In the same year, Michelle represented Borongan at Miss World Philippines 2019 at the Araneta Coliseum in where she finished in the Top 12. In 2021, she took a second crack and represented Quezon City this time at Miss World Philippines 2021 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center Hall A, Zambales, where she ranked sixth and was bestowed the title of Miss Environment Philippines 2021.
In 2022, Michelle represented the Philippines at Miss Environment International 2022 in Mumbai, India where she was adjudged first runner-up to Kayra Wouters of Belgium.
While preparing to represent our country at Reina Hispanoamericana 2023, Michelle took to her official social media and wrote, “My team and I have been working so incredibly hard the past few weeks to get all of the requirements together. Preparations haven’t been easy especially around the holiday season, but I’m so lucky to have super talented individuals to help me complete everything with the time given. Filipinas, are you ready?”
Before the holidays last December, Michelle went to Bacolod to pick up her national costume and excitedly gave netizens a peek at the colorful ensemble that is inspired by the Waling Waling, considered as the “queen of all orchids.”
Michelle is aiming to become the second Filipina to win the coveted Reina Hispanoamericana title which was won by actress Teresita Ssen Marquez in 2017 when the Philippines debuted at the pageant predominantly participated in by Latin American delegates.
Reina Hispanoamericana (Hispanic American Queen) is an annual beauty pageant celebrating Hispanic heritage, language and culture, started in 1991 as Reina Sudamericana (South American Queen), and based in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
