FROM her humble beginnings, Mrs. Makati Universe Philippines 2021 Heaven Peñaflorida became the breadwinner of her family early in life and rose to become who she is today.
She started working at the age of 16. Now that she has two wonderful children, she devotes her time in giving them the best life.
During a recent meet-and-greet with pageant media, Heaven revealed that her family had so little, they even had times when they had to eat makopa (java fruit) from a tree in their yard just to fight their hunger.
A former flight attendant, tour guide, office manager and real estate broker, Heaven is currently an executive assistant for a private company.
She also ventured into entrepreneurship and owns two businesses: a visa processing office for foreigners and a one-stop shop for women, Affniqchic Boutique.
For Heaven, Mrs. Universe Philippines 2021, spearheaded by Maria Charo Calalo, is the perfect platform to promote her advocacy to empower other women.
Heaven, 30, is a single mom (by choice) of two, aged 11 and 9. She was adopted when she was a baby, originally named Leni (after actress Leni Santos), later changed to Heaven after the name of a character she played in a school play stuck; she eventually had her name changed to Heaven legally.
Heaven is excited on her first ever pageant journey and has entrusted her transformation into a beauty queen to her glam team: Daniel Forro (makeup artist), Dharleen Fuentebella/Ruel Evangelio (hair stylist), Norman Gregorio (photographer),
Jake Matthew Leonardo (editor), Eunice Grande de Jesus and Rey Dumanig Asilo (video) and Raymond Granados (designer).
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Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) presented the 12 finalists of the 2nd Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen at a virtual press con hosted by its communications head Susan Isorena-Arcega last Tuesday.
MBC president Ruperto Nicdao Jr. also attended the event, hoping that this year’s batch of finalists, up from last year’s nine, will be grander and, in effect, would boost the influx of tourists in the so-called “revenge” tourism once conditions related to the Covid-19 pandemic become more manageable.
The 12 finalists – 4 each from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao – will undergo a series of exciting events from September 11 to October 9, the finals when reigning queen Jannarie Zarzoso turns over her crown to a new winner. They are: Krishia Mae Abad, Tarlac City; Colleen Beatrix Alcarde, Iloilo City; Sharmaine dela Cruz, Zamboanga City; Sheatiel Kyze Cahilig, Malay, Aklan; Jayvee Lyn Lorejo, Mawab, Davao de Oro; Vjie Matias, San Manuel, Isabela; Shanyl Kayle Hofer, Minglanilla, Cebu; Jeramie Mingo, Iligan City; Chynna Kaye Verosil, Bugallon, Pangasinan; Cherry May Regalado, Kalibo, Aklan; Krysti Ann Villarias, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; and Kath Arboleda, Echague,
