Two Ilonggas shine in Miss Teen PHL 2019

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

THEY may have failed to win the crown, but two Ilongga beauties stole the spotlight in the 2019 Miss Teen Philippines pageant. 

Patricia Lynn Beerda, who represented lloilo City, finished first runner-up while Joanna Kalkschmidt, who represented Western Visayas, was fourth runner-up.

Nikki de Moura of Cagayan de Oro was crowned Miss Teen Philippines 2019 while Nicole Borromeo of Cebu and Mikki Barcela of Bicol were second and third runners-up, respectively.

The pageant was held May 8, 2019 at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City.

In an interview, Beerda shared how she took pride in representing Iloilo City throughout the pageant.

“When I was competing during Miss Teen Philippines, I was very proud to wear the sash of Iloilo city across my chest. This time, I was not only representing myself but also our entire city as an Ilongga, so I always made sure to show them our true beauty that comes from within,” she said.

After clinching the first runner-up spot, Beerda said she wants to focus on her reign, particularly in working with other organizations.

“Right now, I want to focus on my reign and hopefully it will be fruitful and I hope to make the most out of this year. Miss Teen Philippines will work together with orgs like Department of Education (DepEd) and DSWD so I’m looking forward to that and showcase the true beauty of an Ilongga on a national platform,” she added.

Beerda thanked her supporters and her family who inspired her to never give up during the pageant.

“My family was my strength and inspiration and they always encouraged me when i wanted to give up. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, I’m very blessed to have represented Iloilo during the pageant,” she said.

Beerda hopes she can inspire the youth to believe in themselves and chase after their dream.

“I want to inspire the youth to chase after their dreams like I am doing, and to believe in themselves and in God’s plan that they have a purpose. As I continue my reign, I want to represent us as people who are empowered and use my voice in uplifting advocacies for the betterment of our youth.”

The 18-year-old Beerda is a half-Dutch mestiza beauty who recently graduated from West Visayas State University Senior High School.

Before joining Miss Teen Philippines, she already bagged several crowns in local pageants such as Maanyag nga Ilongga 2017, Miss Teen Iloilo 2017, and Miss Teen Philippines Western Visayas 2019.

Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Kalkschmidt is a half German, half Filipina from the province of Capiz.

She recently graduated from Capiz National High School (Special Science and Technology Class).

In 2018, she bagged the title “Mutya ng Halaran” allowing her to represent her town as “Miss Millennial Capiz” in a beauty pageant of the noontime show, Eat Bulaga.