Newly crowned Miss ECO Teen International 2020 Roberta Angela Tamondong was treated to a homecoming queen victory press conference on Wednesday upon her return to the country after winning in the second edition of the teen international pageant in Egypt.
“Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” the 18-year-old statuesque stunner told the press. “I really gave my best to win and I hope this victory help give some pride and boost the spirit of the Filipino people amidst their struggle this pandemic.”
Ro-an’s victory “isn’t just a personal triumph based on her strengths, merits, and other hard-earned credentials, but also represents the collective optimism and hope of a nation and people that have endured so many challenges over the past months, yet remained resilient and kept their heads high as they keep on treading through life with so much faith and positivity,” said Arnold Vegafria, national director of Miss World Philippines.
“She was a last-minute entry since the usual search for a representative was deferred due to health concerns and restrictions from the pandemic. She took a break from school, I want to thank San Beda for their cooperation, and she underwent less-than-a-week of training, she was diligent and very responsible,” Vegafria added.
Ro-an will be traveling back and forth to Egypt to fulfill her duties as Miss ECO Teen International 2020.
She will travel to New York during her reign and will lead an environmental program and other activities such as tree-planting and clean-up drive amidst COVID-19.
“I want to continue, through social media, to strengthen environmental awareness. I would focus on educating a change in the mindset and lifestyle to help environmental protection and preservation,” Ro-an said.
Tamondong started to train under beauty queen maker Rodgil Flores at the age of 13. She thanked many people in the pageant world including her KF Family, Designers like Jhong Sudlong and Jojo Bragais for shoes.
Asked if she had a celebrity crush, Ro-an said that she admired Daniel Padilla as an actor and Bea Alonzo, whom, she revealed, not a few were saying as her look-alike.
When asked to choose between taking on the Darna or Dyesebel role, she exclaimed, “Darna, of course, kasi kaya kong isigaw yung name niya (‘cause I know to how to shout her name),” Ro-an said before giving a sample of the iconic Comics superheroine shout.
