AFTER her successful stint at “ReINA ng Tahanan” in ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime!” where she won the People’s Choice award and eventually finished as first runner-up, 27-year-old Leona Luisa A. Andersen is back on yet another pageant journey, this time as Olongapo’s bet for Mrs. Philippines International (MPI) 2021 which crowns its winners on December 18 at Okada Manila.
Born and raised in Alberta, Canada, Leona is a BS Psychology graduate, has a license in Basic Life Support and Basic First Aid and currently a shareholder of Le Gastro, a new restaurant at Citadines Millennium Hotel in Ortigas.
Leona, who is part Danish, is also very musically-minded and is into arts and reading.
She moved to the Philippines when she was 12 years old and knowing how to speak only in English, she struggled with the Filipino language and in a few years, eventually learned with the guidance of a tutor.
“My dad had his own business of interior decorating in Canada and my Mom worked as a specialized caregiver. Both my parents met in Canada, settled there and got married. My mom then quit her work and focused on raising me,” Leona related.
“I joined MPI due to my wanting to get really active in doing charity work and sharing with those in need. Since I was in college, this was one thing that I really got active in but only through simple ways due to lack of funds. But now, it is one of my priorities. I also joined the pageant to be able to inspire other women, especially my fellow moms.”
It’s been a long way, indeed, for Leona since her first pageant stint in 2013 at Mutya ng Olongapo where she finished first runner-up. She got pregnant in 2015 and returned to pageantry in 2020 by way of “ReINA ng Tahanan” and MPI.
“As a comebacking beauty contestant in the ‘Mrs.’ category, I would love to grow with the organization and offer my 3 H’s – Head, Heart and Hands. I will offer my time to help out with the organization and commit as much as I can.
“I would like to promote awareness of education as a means to alleviate poverty.
Education, be it online or face to face, should be pursued especially for our young generation in order to ensure a better future.”
Now on its fourth year, Mrs. Philippines International, spearheaded by Maan Cueto Aris and Aries Concepcion, will crown nine winners during the finals on December 18 as follows: Mrs. Philippines International, Ms. Philippines International, Elite Mrs. Philippines International, Mrs. Philippines Planet, Mrs. Philippines Grand International, Mrs. Philippines Grand Classic, Mrs. Philippines World Universal, Mrs. Philippines Face of Beauty International and Mrs. Philippines Heritage.
