WISHED IT. GOT IT.
In August 2024, I had a moment. You know the kind—quiet, raw, and deeply honest. Roadtrips do that to me if I’m being real.
I wrote to a few of my closest friends on Instagram:
"I want to join a pageant in the U.S."
No big caption. No announcement. Just a seed planted in intention—something I didn’t say out loud often, but knew deep in my soul. (Yes, I saved the screenshot. Was it because of that moment? It matters.)
It was a manifestation- fed with tiny, deliberate details.
After posting that story, I stumbled upon a clip of Miss Philippines USA 2024 being crowned. I had never seen it before, but something in me just... followed. There was this pull, like my spirit was saying, "Keep going. This means something."
Then, Miss Philippines USA found me. I didn’t chase it. The opportunity unfolded naturally—as if it had been waiting for me to say yes.
And when I watched Chelsea Manalo win Miss Universe Philippines, I remember whispering to myself:
"Wow… she really represents that side of me."
Strong, grounded, Filipina—her win felt personal. And then one day, completely unprovoked, she liked my photo on Instagram. Just a small double tap, but it felt like the universe giving me a little wink, saying, “Keep leaning into your dream.”
It’s those little moments that guided me.
One breadcrumb at a time. One confirmation at a time.
But let’s be real—self-doubt? Oh, she showed up, too.
There was a moment I almost backed out. I told myself maybe this wasn’t for me. Maybe this was too much. Too soon. Too far.
But then Tita Lou, the mastermind behind the pageant, called me at 9 PM. I’ll never forget that conversation. It wasn’t just a pep talk—it felt like being on the phone with a real tita from back home.
She told me:
"Don't worry about the rest. Focus on the now. Focus on your training. Focus on your potential."
There was so much encouragement in her voice. So much grace. And in that moment, I felt held. Not pressured, but seen.
So I stayed. I said yes.
And now, I’m representing at Miss Philippines USA 2025.
I’ve never even been to LA before. I’m funding this dream on my own, with nothing but faith and a few generous brands who saw something in me and offered their support. It hasn’t been easy—but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
And about those people who try to talk you down, or talk about you?
You have to drown out that noise. Yes, people do downplay this accomplishment, and I laugh cause - “who are you?”.
People will always have something to say when they don’t understand your path. They’ll minimize what you’re doing, question your motives, or try to put you in a box they built for themselves. But their doubt is not your responsibility to carry.
Let them.
So, how did I manifest this?
Not just by wishing—but by living like it was already mine.
Manifestation isn’t about waiting for a sign. It’s about becoming the sign.
It’s in the whisper. The DM. The double tap. The moment you almost gave up, and the tita who called just in time.
It’s trusting that your dream is valid—even if no one else claps yet.
So if you’re sitting on a dream right now, this is your sign:
Nurture it with details. Feed it with action. Honor it with belief.
Because when you move with intention?
The universe can’t help but move with you.
Wish it. Got it.
And this? This is just the beginning.
