Iloilo City Government gave recognition to an Ilongga who was recently crowned Miss Top of the World-Plus Size 2018.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III presented Charlene Pagayon Rosco a certificate of recognition during City Hall’s flag ceremony Dec. 3.
Rosco was cited for bringing pride and honor as well as inspiration that Ilonggos can shine in international beauty pageants.
The 33-year old Ilongga working in Singapore was crowned Miss Top of the World-Plus Size 2018 during the coronation night at Social Hall of Provincial Capitol Building, Cebu City Nov. 9.
She represented Southeast Asia and bested 14 other candidates from all over the world.
“My plus size is not my liability but my asset,” stressed Rosco, who is a native of Lapuz, Iloilo City.
Rosco founded a small charity for the indigenous tribe in the city. She believes it is her mission to help the needy as she encouraged the public to help others in their own little way.
“I am determined to transform my struggle into a message for the world. I want to campaign against bullying and discrimination by being an inspiration to others through helping them build their self-confidence,” Rosco said.
“Bullying is part of my life and I am too familiar with the judgment, disapproval, jokes and even rejections. I was rejected for the reason that I was too heavy for the position. This made me prove to myself that I can do better. I got a job as an Assistant Reservation and Revenue Manager,” she noted.
Rosco was a track and field athlete in high school and got medals in Palarong Pambansa.
“I joined the pageant for a certain reason, aside from fulfilling my dream to be a beauty queen. I want to inspire people of my size to have self-acceptance, be positive towards discrimination, and be confident. We all have insecurities in life; you have to love yourself first in order for you to be loved by others,” Rosco said.
“I want to promote awareness in stereotyping especially in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world,” she added. (Roger Paul Timothy L. Lacuarta/Iloilo City PIO)
