Katarina Rodriguez on Miss World 2018 experience: I wouldn't change a thing

GRATEFUL. Katarina Rodriguez says she does not regret anything in joining a pageant for the second time. Screenshot from Katarina Rodriguez's Instagram

MANILA, Philippines – Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez took to Instagram on Wednesday, December 12 to share her sentiments after failing to make it to the Top 30 of the competition in Sanya, China.

Katarina was considered one of the top favorites to make it to the competition. Mexico's Vanessa Ponce de Leon eventually won the title. (READ: Katarina Rodriguez's Miss World journey: Taking risks, staying true to herself)

In her post, she wrote: "I arrived in China feeling like the weight of the world was on my shoulders and now I leave China feeling absolute freedom."

"I would not have changed a thing during my time in Miss World this past month. Despite not bringing home the blue crown, I did exactly what I wanted, I represented my beloved country for my last time & introduced to the world #ProjectBecome and the [Teach Peace Build Peace Movement]."

"This competition was more than just a crown. It meant becoming a woman. It was opening my heart and mind to a panel of judges, who in retrospect had their preferences, knowing the possibility that my reality wouldn’t be what they were looking for. There is no one to blame with the results. This is simply life."

She also thanked the Miss World Philippines Organization led by Arnold Vegafria, family and friends, the Aces and Queens camp for being there for her.

"And lastly to my home, my country, the Philippines. It is my greatest honor to hold the Miss World Philippines title during the time where we are the leading country in beauty pageants. I’ve been crowned just shy of 2 months now, so count on me to make my reign all that more interesting," she said.

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I arrived in China feeling like the weight of the world was on my shoulders & now I leave China feeling absolute freedom. I would not have changed a thing during my time in Miss World this past month. Despite not bringing home the blue crown, I did exactly what I wanted, I represented my beloved country for my last time & introduced to the world #ProjectBecome & the @teachpeacebuildpeacemovement This competition was more than just a crown. It meant becoming a woman. It was opening my heart and mind to a panel of judges, who in retrospect had their preferences, knowing the possibility that my reality wouldn’t be what they were looking for. There is no one to blame with the results. This is simply life. To many of you it seems that @missworld has been crowning the same queen each year now, however every year they add some new spice to the pageant itself. The competition was like a month long casting & if you don’t fit the role you won’t get the job. This is how I see it as. By now you should all know me well enough to know that I stayed true to my authentic self all through out. In life knowing who you are & who you’re not will get you further than striving to be anyone other than yourself. Thank you to @msworldphil & @arnold_vegafria for trusting me with this wonderful opportunity I’m looking forward to 2019 with you ALV. To my parents & grandparents, I thank them for being the best sets in the entire world & for their endless support. Because of them, I’ll always be the lucky one. To my A&Qs fam, thank you for playing a huge part in my becoming the woman I am today. Mamas, you’re real life fairy godmothers. To my team who became my friends & in turn my family, alam mo na. This was for you, the army of people backing me up & believing in me. You guys proved to me that limitations are only cerebral especially with the support of Filipinos worldwide. And lastly to my home, my country, the Philippines. It is my greatest honor to hold the Miss World Philippines title during the time where we are the leading country in beauty pageants. I’ve been crowned just shy of 2 months now, so count on me to make my reign all that more interesting.

A post shared by Katarina (@katarinarodri) on Dec 11, 2018 at 8:46pm PST

Katarina said that she now looks forward to make her reign as Miss World Philippines memorable in 2019. – Rappler.com