The new Mrs. Philippines Asia-Pacific 2019 will be crowned today, 3 February, at Treston International Event Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Two of its official candidates have interesting and unique backgrounds.

Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Mary Chris Abacahin Camacho, a mother of two, became the first married woman from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to join the national beauty pageant. At 40, Camacho, standing at five feet five inches, has been a liaison officer for four years now at Camp Crame but is currently assigned at the Project 8 Logistics Division.

This beauty from Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, has a degree in Elementary Education from Class Panangga of 2005. She was teaching when she entered the PNP to become a policewoman.

Camacho revealed during an interview with Daily Tribune that she got separated from her husband because he was irresponsible and abusive. She won custody of her two sons. Her painful experience made her a stronger person and she will use this platform as she competes at the 2019 Mrs. Philippines Asia-Pacific.

MRS. Tacloban City Senior Police Officer 1 Mary Chris Abacahin Camacho. Camacho will talk about her experience and be an inspiration to women who are suffering from similar abuse which she endured as a wife and mother. She strongly believes that women have equal rights as men and are capable of doing whatever they want to do in life.

Ann Nuguid Morales, from Calamba, Laguna, is another inspiring woman. When she decided to join the inaugural Mrs. Asia Pacific Philippines, she made it a mission to promote financial wellness.

“That’s my personal advocacy. I’ve been doing that for a long time now. I want to share some helpful tips, especially for beginners, on how they can improve their fortunes,” Morales said.

The finance-savvy lady thinks many people, especially the younger ones who are into gadgets, have neglected to save.

“I would like the seniors to maintain their own dignity by having their own income so that they will not depend on their children’s income. I also hope to teach the millennials discipline in spending their money,” she said.

Morales cited a simple formula for saving money, which people can follow easily.

“It’s never too late to save. The simple formula is income minus savings equals expenses.

You set aside a portion of your income to your savings. And then, whatever is left, that will be your spending money,” she explained.

With her advocacy on financial wellness, Morales has received recognition from several organizations, including the GAMA International award given to first-line and frontline leaders in insurance, investment and financial services.

Aside from being a civil engineer, she is a branch manager for Pru Life UK. “I manage agents who are financial consultants. I teach them financial wellness. I used to help factory workers on financial wellness.”

Morales describes herself as a fashionista at heart. In fact, she’s been named one of Manila’s Best Dressed Women for 2018 under Karr Macato Marin which was presented at the Manila Hotel.

“I don’t dress up like old people do. I dress up according to what I feel is good to me. I don’t usually follow the latest trends in fashion. If I think I can carry the dress well, if I have the confidence to wear it, even if it’s not the latest, then I will wear it. That’s how I dress up,” she said.

This is the first time that Morales is joining a national beauty contest. At first, she was hesitant to join the pageant when she was invited to compete by Mrs. Asia Pacific Tourism 2018 grand winner Mitzie Go Gil, national director of Mrs. Asia Pacific Philippines, and Willy Cuison, one of the board of directors of Queen of Hearts Foundation, organizer of the pageant.

Said Morales, “I’m not tall. I’m just petite. I am not a beauty queen material. I cannot conform to the parameters of the pageant.”

Despite this reaction, organizers of the pageant in Singapore approved her to join the pageant for married women.

Helping Morales prepare for the Mrs. Asia Pacific Philippines 2019 is the team of Alex Rodanilla. Morales believes that pageants have become a venue for many women to become empowered. She encourages other married women to enjoy beauty pageants.

“They should learn how to speak up for themselves. Age doesn’t matter if you have dreams. You will be empowered if you will push through with your dreams. There’s no such thing as age limit as long as you are still capable of doing what you want to do. Time is of essence,” she said.

Already a widow, Morales said that she loves to mingle with people because social gatherings make her feel young. She has three grown-up children who always make her happy. Two of them are already working while one is set to take the medical board exams.

“No such thing as slowing down as long as your body can do it. Socializing makes me young because it makes you happy,” she said.

Other activities that keep Morales busy include her association with various organizations such as the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Rotary Club of Nuvali, Inner Wheel Club of Makati North District 383, All Nation’s Women’s Group, Club Bulakenya, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), Million Dollar Round Table and Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

To support Camacho’s and Morales’ journeys at Mrs Asia Pacific Philippines, you may go to the Mrs. Asia-Pacific Philippines website and follow the steps on how to vote.