Mother Theresa quote wins
Pampanga lass Binibini crown
Posted: 0:14 AM (Manila Time) | Mar. 17, 2003
By Marinel R. Cruz
Inquirer News Service

SHE DELIVERED the most inspiring message about peace and managed to bring home this year's Binibining Pilipinas-Universe title.

Carla Gay Balingit, 19, who competed with 27 other contestants earned the judges' nod in Saturday's Binibining Pilipinas pageant held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, when she confidently answered a crucial question by quoting St. Theresa of Calcutta, whose noble work, Carla said, united war-torn India.

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"I would like to share to the world the words of St. Theresa of Calcutta: 'The fruit of prayer is silence, the fruit of silence is faith, the fruit of faith is hope, and the fruit of hope is love, unity and peace," said Balingit, who also won in the Best in Long Gown competition.

"I don't admire a particular saint but I've always remembered these words from Mother Theresa," Balingit told the Inquirer in a telephone interview Sunday.

To prepare for the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, Balangit said she had participated in regional beauty contests like the Mutya ng Kapangpangan pageant, which she also won recently.

"I considered my victory in regional contests as a good sign," she said. "Had I lost in my hometown, I would not have joined Binibining Pilipinas. It would mean that I needed more practice for the national pageant."

Balingit was recently given the title of Pampanga's ambassadress of goodwill by Pampanga Governor Lito Lapid.

"Now that I have been crowned Binibining Pilipinas, I can do more for Pampanga and for the whole country," she said.

Balingit is taking up BS Tourism at the Holy Angel School in Angeles City, Pampanga. She plans to put up her own travel agency or work as a flight stewardess.

She is also seriously considering accepting offers to do commercial and ramp modeling when her stint as Binibining Pilipinas-Universe ends in 2004.

Australia-based Maria Rafaela Yunon was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-World, and Jhezerie Javier went home with the Binibining Pilipinas-International title.